--- title: Are you hip? A cat? Or just hiding? image: https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1605051960-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20134813c15c4970c-120wi.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/2010/05/are-you-hip-a-cat-or-just-hiding.html#maincontent) [ «  View All Posts ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog) # Are you hip? A cat? Or just hiding? May 20th, 2010 1 min read By [David Meerman Scott](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) ![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1605051960-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20134813c15c4970c-120wi.jpg?width=120&height=180&name=6a00d83451f23a69e20134813c15c4970c-120wi.jpg) [![1576_051410_dg_0001_b_6x972](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1605051960-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20134813c15c4970c-120wi.jpg)](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20134813c15c4970c-popup) I just updated the portrait I use on my blog, Web site, and social networking sites like [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/dmscott) and [Twitter](http://twitter.com/dmscott). This image is also used on conference sites and in programs [where I give talks](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/engagements.htm). It had been about six years since I last had a portrait shot and besides getting older, I wanted a new look. **Rock star wannabe** My awesome new portrait was shot by my friend [Jay Blakesberg](http://blakesberg.com/) last weekend in San Francisco. Jay photographs rock stars for album covers and magazines like *Rolling Stone*. A few days before my session he shot Carlos Santana. If I can't be a real rock star, at least I can be photographed like one. **Your image is important! ** The photo you choose to represent you says a great deal about who you are as an individual. *There are many choices when it comes to an image to use:* [![IMG_1259](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1605051975-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20133ee0b0ee1970b-75wi.jpg)](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20133ee0b0ee1970b-pi) You can use a casual shot taken by a friend. This is a great option for many people. But there are many different approaches and each says something important about you. Are you in a casual setting (like on a beach)? Or more formal like an office? What are you wearing? [![IMG_0174](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1605051990-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20133ee0b1266970b-75wi.jpg)](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20133ee0b1266970b-pi) You can have other people & things with you in the photo. Your child and/or boyfriend. A random famous person (Dr. Ruth perhaps). Props like your dog, a fishing pole, or a beer in your hand. What about your company logo in the background? [![DMS thumbnail](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1605052005-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20134813c1b92970c-75wi.jpg)](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20134813c1b92970c-pi) You can use a formal portrait like I do. But the choice of style and clothing says a lot about who you are. Close-up or wide shot? (Wide shots are difficult to see in the postage stamp size on sites like Twitter). Smile or no smile? How close do you crop? For men: tie or no tie? Jacket? [![Dms_avatar](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1605052020-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20133ee0b1e09970b-75wi.jpg)](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20133ee0b1e09970b-pi) Many people use an avatar such as a graphic representation of themselves ala Second Life or a cartoon image. This approach is certainly appropriate for some people. [![IMG_0648](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1605052035-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20134813c28e7970c-75wi.jpg)](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20134813c28e7970c-pi) A random image is also used by some. Your cat. Bart Simpson. A surfboard. You're certainly narrowing down what you want people to think of you if you go this route. [![D_silhouette2](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1605052050-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20134813c1cfc970c-75wi.jpg)](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20134813c1cfc970c-pi) It is possible to default to the placeholder that sites like Twitter & Facebook provide. This says: "I’m too busy to use a photo or I'd prefer to remain anonymous." I'm sure here are other choices I’m missing… **You ARE your photo** In my opinion, if you care about your personal brand, you should use your photo. Here are how my portraits have changed over the years. [![Dms_20_years](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1605052065-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e201348156264b970c-400wi.jpg)](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e201348156264b970c-popup) [ David Meerman Scott ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to clever entrepreneurs who are building emerging companies, and the international bestselling author of a dozen books published in 30 languages. David’s high-energy keynote presentations, masterclasses, and virtual events educate, energize, and inspire. Connect: [mailto:david@freshspot.com](mailto:david@freshspot.com) Topics: [ Worst Practices ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/worst-practices) [ Personal branding ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/personal-branding) [ Best Practices ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/best-practices) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pirated%20books.jpg?width=1500&height=1000&name=Pirated%20books.jpg) ### Move Fast and Steal Things: Meta Pirated 53 of My Books and Stories to Train Their AI March 26th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/move-fast-and-steal-things-meta-pirated-53-of-my-books-and-stories-to-train-their-ai) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Toyota%20website.jpg?width=1253&height=822&name=Toyota%20website.jpg) ### Automaker Website Frustrations Push Buyers Elsewhere December 10th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/automaker-website-frustrations-push-buyers-elsewhere) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Do%20not%20play%20Yamaha.jpg?width=1500&height=1125&name=Do%20not%20play%20Yamaha.jpg) ### Please Do Not Play Without Permission November 12th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/please-do-not-play-without-permission) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Teen%20and%20Young%20Adult%20AI.jpg?width=1338&height=886&name=Teen%20and%20Young%20Adult%20AI.jpg) ### Generative AI Not Understood By Young People… Educators Are To Blame July 9th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/generative-ai-not-understood-by-young-people-educators-are-to-blame) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Crush%20Apple%20video.jpg?width=1500&height=845&name=Crush%20Apple%20video.jpg) ### Apple’s Soul Crushing, Creator Destroying Metaphor for what AI is Doing to Society May 8th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/apples-soul-crushing-creator-destroying-metaphor-for-what-ai-is-doing-to-society) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_126631127.jpg?width=1500&height=999&name=shutterstock_126631127.jpg) ### Customer Testimonials Are Not Effective Storytelling March 26th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/customer-testimonials-are-not-effective-storytelling) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/we%20annoy%20our%20clients.jpg?width=1000&height=670&name=we%20annoy%20our%20clients.jpg) ### We Annoy Our Customers March 5th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/we-annoy-our-customers) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_272153462%20copy.jpg?width=1000&height=628&name=shutterstock_272153462%20copy.jpg) ### Legal Caution vs. PR Clarity: University Presidents' Legal Advisors Muddled Congressional Testimonies December 19th, 2023|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/legal-caution-vs.-pr-clarity-university-presidents-legal-advisors-muddled-congressional-testimonies-on-antisemitism) [![Man holding a tablet computer with tip options](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_2328873613.jpg?width=1500&height=1000&name=shutterstock_2328873613.jpg) ### Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should October 19th, 2023|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/just-because-you-can-doesnt-mean-you-should) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/max%20logo%20win.jpg?width=925&height=621&name=max%20logo%20win.jpg) ### Max Mayhem: Warner Bros. 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