From Seshu, a photographer:
“From a professional perspective, the hand is distracting. I suspect you want to convey a sense of warmth and openness, which I think the second, more recent image conveys right off the bat. Also, the hand under the chin has a tendency to push up one’s chin and make it appear larger than it really is. I say, you look fabulous in the ‘without hand’ picture. Stick with it.”

From Chuck:
“I liked the one with your hand better, but I see both points. Maybe there’s a way to have a more standard headshot while keeping it more casual.

Sunglasses, looking off-camera, sticking your tongue out, laughing, different background other than the office blinds…

I’m not trying to push, but I think if you’re looking for warmer but without it being cramped, that kind of change might be more useful than to hand or not to hand. :-)”

From Marie:
“With hand!! DEF! More trustworthy!”

From Sandy:
“With hand!
Warmer, more inviting, personal, etc.”

From Joe:
“Marcia,
You look great in both photos!
And I understand why some professionals might use the same headshot everywhere to reinforce branding, but I like the idea of mixing it up on different applications (especially if you think the Vibe of one application/medi is different than another). That said, I don’t use Twitter, yet, so I can’t tell you which one is more ‘Twitter-like’, but I can tell you that this is the 1st time I saw your 2nd one & I like it, so my vote is to use it for Twitter to mix it up!

OK Marcia…I just showed & asked Shari and she said the same thing as Marie & Sandy w/out reading theirs…she thinks you look much more approachable in the one w/ your hand on your chin.

I know I said use the other one to mix it up, but after hearing these comments and looking at your pictures for the last 5 minutes I change my mind & agree! =)”

From Katie:
“I agree. DEFINITELY with the hand… you’re so approachable. The woman with the hand makes me feel like she’s going to show me how easy all that marketing stuff is. Love that photo, Marcia!”

From Bonnie:
“Hi Marcia,
I find the photo with the hand more welcoming.”
Bonnie

From Jacqui:
“Hi Marcia
I agree with everyone else HAND!
While both photos are nice, the hand one has more personality and encapsulates your personality. The other one could be any pretty American business woman, the hand says ‘I am Marcia Hoeck’.”

hugs
Jacqui

From Ciara:
“With the hand! You look great in both though!”

From Ileana:
“Yep, hands win. Agree with Marie – more trustworthy.”

From Cindy:
“I like your photo with the hand, but since you’re a photo expert, if you need to use the other on Twitter because it’s reduced so much, do that. But if the hand works just as well, keep it. You look intriguing……”

From Miles:
“I actually used your earlier photo when presenting on why you need a photo on social media. It was very welcoming and warm.”

From Joe, also a photographer:
“As a Photographer, I can say the Pic on the right is best (no hand) the left is a tad over-exposed.”

From Lorrie:
“I like WITH the hand personally. Seems friendlier to me.”

From Chris:
“I like before, with hand. I’ve never read your blog before! Love the clouds and the title - ‘Meaningful Marketing’.”

From Johnny:
“I like the hand. Also, you don’t have a cool mustache like I do.”

From Laura:
“I like with hand better.”

From Bert:
“I like the new, particularly since the old (hand) photo is used in your blog. Gives you two views. Both are good.”

From Sherri:
“Hi Marcia! I like the before ‘hand’ pic…”

From Robin:
“definitely.. without the hand.”

And from Miles again:
“Very interesting process you just went through. I would like build your exercise into my course. Can I have your approval?”

(Wonder what that’s about? Hmmm…)