Be an original. Rob Eyler is a visionary entrepreneur renowned for his innovative contributions to the photography industry. He is the CEO of Capturely—a company revolutionizing the way businesses approach employee photography. Rob discusses the significance of first impressions, the importance of a consistent and impactful personal brand, and how updating your headshot every 2-3 years can make a world of difference. Learn how you can enhance your personal brand and make lasting impressions that resonate in professional settings.
Building Personal, Employer, and Company Brands
In today’s digital-first world, a headshot is much more than just a photo—it’s the cornerstone of your personal brand and your first impression in the professional landscape. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a business leader, or just starting your career, your online presence is a major part of how others perceive you. But how often do we really stop to think about the image we’re projecting?
It’s easy to overlook the importance of a professional photo, yet it plays a crucial role in how others engage with us. Imagine this: you’re looking at two LinkedIn profiles—one has a high-quality, professional headshot, and the other has no picture or a casual photo from a vacation. Who are you more likely to take seriously? Who seems more approachable and professional? This simple image can have a huge impact on your personal brand, your company’s brand, and how both are perceived by others.
First Impressions Matter: The Science Behind Headshots
Rob Eyler, a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in startups, sales, and tech, knows a thing or two about the importance of a good headshot. As the co-founder of Capturely, a company that specializes in providing efficient, professional headshots, he’s built a platform that ensures individuals and teams can put their best face forward online—literally.
Capturely was born out of a creative idea that began with the Headshot Truck, a mobile photo studio designed to make professional photography more accessible. The concept started in Los Angeles and soon expanded to cities like New York and Atlanta, capturing the attention of major corporations such as CBS, Fox, and DreamWorks. These companies recognized the importance of having consistent, high-quality imagery for their teams. What began as a service for actors quickly pivoted to cater to business professionals, particularly those in large enterprises, who needed a way to scale consistent, professional headshots for their teams.
According to Rob, the power of a headshot lies in its ability to create a lasting first impression. “We did some research to figure out what kind of imagery helps open the door to the next impression. It literally is the welcome mat of a first impression.” This is crucial in a world where most of our introductions happen online. Whether it’s LinkedIn or a company website, your headshot is often the first thing people see, and that image needs to convey competence, likability, and influence.
Competence, Likability, and Influence: The Key Attributes of a Strong Headshot
Rob and his team at Capturely conducted research using platforms like PhotoFeeler, which allows users to upload photos and receive feedback based on attributes such as competence, likability, and influence. These are the three key factors that impact how others perceive you based on your headshot.
“When people are looking at a business profile picture, they want to see someone who is competent, likable, and influential,” Rob explains. “If your goal is to put up a profile picture that inspires people to read your bio, message you, or take the next step, these are the attributes you need to focus on.”
This is especially true for platforms like LinkedIn, where a professional headshot can significantly impact how often your profile is viewed or engaged with. Rob points out that LinkedIn has data showing the direct correlation between having a professional headshot and the likelihood of your profile being read. It’s a simple yet powerful tool to make sure you’re making the best possible first impression.
The Role of Employer and Company Branding
Beyond personal branding, headshots play a critical role in employer and company branding as well. Companies are increasingly recognizing that how their employees present themselves online reflects directly on the business. When teams have consistent, high-quality headshots, it reinforces a sense of unity and professionalism.
“Headshots are a way for companies to say, ‘You mean enough to me that I want to have a professional photo of you that I can put on my website,’” Rob says. “It gives employees the flexibility to be themselves while aligning with the company’s brand.” This is particularly important for businesses that prioritize their employer brand, as it shows that they care about how their employees are represented, both internally and externally.
A cohesive visual identity for the team, whether it’s for a website or LinkedIn profiles, can enhance the company’s overall brand image. It’s about creating a uniform presence that aligns with the company’s values and mission. In Rob’s words, “It’s the Venn diagram of personal brand, employer brand, and company brand coming together.”
The Importance of Keeping Your Headshot Updated
One of the most common mistakes people make is letting their headshot become outdated. Rob stresses the importance of updating your headshot every two to three years. “When your headshot doesn’t match how you look in real life, it creates what’s called an expectancy violation,” he explains. This disconnect can subconsciously lead people to question your authenticity, which can negatively impact how you’re perceived.
For businesses, ensuring that employees have up-to-date headshots is also crucial for maintaining a consistent employer brand. Rob’s team at Capturely has even developed technology that allows companies to take professional-quality headshots virtually, using nothing more than a smartphone. This innovative approach makes it easier than ever for companies to maintain a consistent visual identity across their teams, without the need for in-person photo shoots.
Personal Brand: Your Biggest Asset
In 2024, personal branding has never been more important. “Your personal brand is your biggest asset,” says Rob. He highlights that in many cases, it’s easier and more cost-effective to build a personal brand than a company brand. People are drawn to individuals, not just businesses. This is why thought leaders like Elon Musk or Steve Jobs are so influential—their personal brands are often more powerful than the companies they represent.
For business leaders, this means that building a strong personal brand is just as important as promoting your company. It’s about being authentic and ensuring that your online presence reflects who you are and what you stand for. “People connect with people,” Rob reminds us, and that connection often starts with something as simple as a headshot.
Investing in Your Brand
Whether you’re looking to enhance your personal brand, employer brand, or company brand, one thing is clear: headshots matter. They are more than just a picture; they are a powerful tool for making a strong first impression and building trust with others. By investing in professional, up-to-date headshots, you’re investing in how you and your company are perceived in the digital world.
As Rob emphasizes, “Impressions last.” Whether it’s your personal headshot or the consistent imagery of your team, it’s essential to make sure that the first impression you’re leaving is a positive one. So if you haven’t updated your headshot in a few years, now might be the perfect time to make sure you’re putting your best face forward.
Listen to the episode: Gut + Science | Episode 265: Confident, Competent, Trustworthy + Approachable with Rob Eyler
Key Takeaways:
- The power of a personal brand over employer or company brands
- The significant role of professional headshots in building a positive first impression
- Exploring Rob Eyler’s unique blend of leadership development through Scouts and culinary arts
- The importance of updating headshots every two to three years for maintaining an authentic representation
- Insights into employee advocacy and the innovative photography solutions offered by Capturely
Things to listen for:
[00:08:11] Attributes for business profile pictures are important.
[00:13:04] Bio and headshot impact first impressions deeply.
[00:13:52] Subconscious bias makes negative perceptions long-lasting.
[00:20:40] Activating employee advocacy for brand voice diversity.
[00:26:23] Building abundance, helping others, passionate about success.
[00:28:22] Simplify your image management process for teams.
[00:37:17] Invest in personal brand, and make strong impressions.
