It’s pretty commonly known among Black freelancers that if you are visibly identifiable as Black and you use a photo, your contacts drop.
When I first started, I addressed this by flat out breaking site rules and posting a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge. I received more invitations to interview and got more responses than even my most professional photos. Being the rule-follower I generally am though, it made me itchy and I tried other solutions to get around the requirement that logos and stock photos not be used.
What I’ve found about race and profile photos is you’re not trying to battle the flat out, rebel flag-carrying racist who’d never work with a Black person…no…you’re combating that split second discrimination that so many even liberal-minded people have when it comes to interpreting ability when they see a Black face (or a “Black-sounding” name, but that’s a conversation for another day).
Check these tips across some sites terms, but unless they’re like Google+ was with their strict facial requirements, you’ll get some wiggle room.
- Use a portion of your face: I did this in black and white of just my eye. My skin is dark so you can tell I’m not White, even in black and white, but it leaves people to ask a question, which is what you want.
- Get a photo from the back: I have a couple of these from vacations and whatnot. You can still tell I’m Black because of my natural hair, but if it were straight, there would be a question, and it’s still technically a photo of me.
- Go the distance: My current photo is taken from at least 20 feet back. I cropped it so that I’m way down in the corner looking off into the distance. You can only see a side of my face.
- Just do it: One of the most frustrating things about race and freelancing is that you never know how it’s going to play out until you try. That’s why I sometimes put up a standard photo just to see how things play out (I have yet to have it make a positive difference). Try it yourself though, as sometimes, depending on the subjects you write on and customers you’re working with, your results may be different.
Finding a photo that works for you is all about trial and error, so give all these a shot (I’ve used different methods on different sites) and see what gets you the most contacts.
Got any stories about your experiences with client retention and image? What’s worked for you? Leave you ideas in the comments.
Megan.
P.S. Looking to connect with other freelancers? Come check out our membership options.
just do it .. reality bends to accommodate our intentions
Reality is that perception of race has a significant impact in relation to navigating the concept of work. Everyone has to find what works for them in their efforts, which is why the article presents multiple approaches. This site does not subscribe to or support the illusion that perception alone determines reality.
good article. thank u for writing/posting. It’s interesting to me in part because i do agree with the poster who wrote that reality bends to our intentions. BUT, i also agree with you that folks do judge you on the color of your skin, especially in those split-second, almost mindless, decision-making instances. SO, while reality may bend, in time, until then, it’s an issue each of us has to navigate.
For me, being light, light-skin’d, it’s often more a matter of conscious choice to bring the race issue up. For me it often depends on a) how badly i need the gig and, b) how important it is to me in the particular instance/context to speak my truth.
In reality, i seem to deal with each instance as it comes up.
again, thanks for the good work.
— 40 oz. dreams
Yep…it definitely changes on a case-by-case basis, which is another way freelancing differs from employment…those cases are disconnected. I’m going to update this post eventually because I’m finding that as I progress and develop my portfolio, race seems to matter less. I couldn’t really say that when I was employed. Thanks for reading Mark!
This is a very thought provoking article. I guess I am a little more defiant than most, but I prefer someone knows my skin color upfront. That way if they don’t want to work with me; my time won’t be wasted. On the flip side; if someone is looking for a Black worker how will they find you if they don’t know what you look like (smile).
I’ll agree in many situations and even do this myself…now that I’m established. When it comes to getting those first clients though, everyone has to make choices. Thanks for reading!
Six months after I decided to stop straightening my hair, I got hired to the Obama campaign in 2012 as a field and campus organizer. Right as I was packing to leave my grandmother asked me if I was going to straighten my hair. I decided against it and it turned out to be the greatest decision. My “curly hair” made me stand out in a sea of organizers across the state and when it came time for special assignments I almost always got the part.
Exactly…depending on the field you work in and the people you work with, even the platform you’re presenting yourself on, having something that makes you stand out can be a huge benefit. This is especially true if you’ve already established yourself and have proof of the work you’re able to do.
Determining how to present yourself is a trial and error process that every freelancer has to walk through. Thanks for reading!
I found that when I put up my photo people respond to me more than if I use an avatar. There’s something about being upfront about who you are that attracts people. Those that discriminate aren’t the ones to be working with anyway, so it’s like a filter. I have natural hair too so I think this helps me stand out from the crowd as well.
I haven’t tried using a blank avatar personally, but I can see how that would definitely make a difference.
I think another factor is how big your client crowd is. Mine is relatively limited and I have a unique mix of qualifications, so getting attention isn’t an issue. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for this article, I feel less lonely. I was loosing my sleep over this dilemma… I think I’ll try the Golden Gate Bridge option for now, at least until I get my first clients. *sigh*
It’s a tough one, but I really do think we have more options to work past it as freelancers. Let me know how it goes!