On the internet, no one knows you're a dog...

"On the internet, no one knows you're a dog..."

I had this debate with my sis recently. My nephew planned to try to do photography over the summer to make extra $$.

He's since changed plans, but the debate came up w/ my sis and bro-in-law: Should he put his personal pic up on his web site? The two sides of the debate were:

a. As a black man, he stood to attract less business if people knew that fact up front. He'd be pigeonholed and people might otherwise not give him business

b. Without a pic, he'd get less business because people don't hand over their $$ if they don't know who they doing business with

I lean toward b., because they're going to find out anyway, plus his samples speak for the quality of his work. Yet on the other hand, I can see my sis's point: he might lose a lot of those initial inquiries if clients know that he's "the black man".

Let's imagine you're trying to earn a living in a field where your website can make a difference in snagging clients, and you're the black man. Do you choose A or B?

Btw, the headline comes from a famous new yorker cartoon. Not comparing BMs to dogs

 

That's a tough one, SADLY!

If he is a photographer, I'm going with B, put his pic up. The clientele he stands to lose, he will also gain clients who will give him their business because he is Black. And others who see his site may support / refer him through the online grapevine.
Plus he's male, too. That is preferred by some, over a female.

Wish him much success.

 

He should put his picture up, definitely. It's kind of like buying a house or renting an apartment site unseen. I don't speak for everyone but I like to be able to see who I'm doing business with. Plus, with no picture it looks like he has something to hide even if he doesn't.

 

I agree, gotta rise or fall on who you are. Plus if you're going to do the best possible job, you're genuinely trying to help you clients -- and who wants to work hard to help a bigot?

btw, "all over the internet" might be a bit much. You wouldn't want ppl to do a google image search and find your pic here with all your posts about your personal experiences

:smt033 just sayin

 

word up tam :smt023

 

none of that bothers me. yep, all over the internet. i dont have anything to hide and if someone wants to find me for malicious intent they will be welcomed by something they didnt expect.

plus, i could be one of those people who catfish and could be using a persons images as if i were that person....

 

nah, I'm just saying someone might search your image, read your posts and know that you're a weedhound for example. that wouldn't be good for your professional image

But hey some ppl are more comfortable with revealing themselves on the web than others.

Personally, I'm way web shy. I'm summoning up the nerve to put my pic on linkedIn, but when I do, I'll keep the pro identity separate from my casual web identity for sure.

Btw, did you have your pic done professionally? If so how much did it cost? I don't photograph well at all, so I'm considering getting mine professionally done..

 

lol. i have adhd and i refuse to take adderall, i have a medical condition regarding the herbals.

the picture was actually done on the bart when i lived in nor cal on my way to work one day. i thought about getting one pro done but i prefer to do my own dirty work.

 

YMRA had the same issues and he was/is a photog as well

he said race was a factor in whether some people did business with him, which is sad for blacks

but u see that a lot in other areas as well