self-photo on Homepage?

[six12creative]

I am currently designing my personal website for graphic design and I came up with a question.

Do you guys think it is appropriate to put your own photo on your homepage?

Or do you think this makes a designer seem full of himself?

 

[Designer Dale]

Your Home Page should be a gateway to your work. A real attention grabber that makes folks want to look around. A photo of yourself is appropriate, but on your About Me page which is usually last before Contact.

Unless you're a knock-out gal or guy. Just kidding...

Dale

 

[bigglefuzz]

It entirely depends.

- If you do post production, programming or generally technical work no.
- If you do corporate design, or work with a variety of clients I wouldn't.
- If you do creative direction like music production or photography, then I would on the about me page.
- And if you are an artist, or musician, or director then definitely yes front page, dead center.

It all boils down to if your clients are looking for someone to do a job, or someone to put their individual stamp on things. Also your appearance does matter, certainly don't put a picture of yourself holding a pint, wearing a team shirt etc. unless it is directly relevant to your target audience.

 

[MattSepeta]

Good points

Some good points.

As far as creative designer or a photographer goes, it couldn't hurt to include a photo of yourself somewhere. I mean, If you are hiring a person to make your stuff/business/self look good, wouldn't you want to hire somebody that can at least make themself look good? And clean? etc...

NOT on the homepage though. About me or contact, yes.

 

[needlnerdz]

hm my own website takes this to a bit of an extreme...

nevertheless, my advice would be, if you use it in a creative way, is part of a project that promotes your skills, or can offer some sense of humor to the website- go for it.

i also agree with bigglefuzz - in that it entirely depends on the type of work you do and the sort of clients you're after...
however, i don't quite agree with the list of do's and don'ts... why shouldn't post-production + programmers get to share their mug?

 

[Macky-Mac]

generally; No

you're selling your work, not looking for romance

 

[joecommisso]

I think it all depends. I've seen some sites like http://www.oasiscd.com where the founder's photo is on the main page. I think if your selling a personalized service & you use a proffesionally taken portrait it's ok, as long as its doesn't become the main focus of the page or take away from the content surrounding.

In most cases though I think it would look tacky, it all depends what kind of website and what your intentions are. Look at the homepage for Oasis I think it was very tastefully done & well designed, if you can't pull off a similiar effect I would say steer away from it.