What people really notice first in your personal brand?

If you’ve ever wondered why some profiles instantly feel trustworthy while others don’t, this might help you see your own brand differently. This post explores what people really notice first when they Google you or visit your profile. It’s based on real experiences, data, and client stories.

These days, people often meet you online before they ever meet you in person. You can’t control who finds you, but you can control what they see first.

Most people think their words matter most. They don’t.

I asked my network what they notice first in someone’s personal brand.

Almost 80% said “photo”. Not the job title. Not the bio. The photo.

What do people notice first in your personal brand?

🟦 78% – Photo

⬜ 11% – Job title

⬜ 11% – Bio

That’s what people react to first.

The rest only matters if they decide to stay.

Your photo

Your photo is not just another decoration "you must to have". It’s your energy, frozen in a frame.

If it feels stiff, people feel distance.

If it feels honest, people trust you.

It’s not about being photogenic - it’s about being present.

The camera always catches what you try to hide: doubt, tension, over-preparation. But it also catches something else: a moment of calm confidence when you stop performing.

According to research from the Nielsen Norman Group, people form an impression of you or your website in less than a second.

Visuals, especially faces, are the first thing their brain processes.

One of my clients came for a LinkedIn headshot photoshoot because she wanted her profile to look more professional. At the start, she stood with her shoulders tight, arms crossed. By the end, she was talking freely, eyes bright, grounded in her own space.

The change was physical before it was visible.

A month later, she updated her profile. Two job offers came in including one from a global brand.

Nothing about her skills changed. Just how she saw herself.

If someone looked you up today- would they see who you’ve become or who you used to be?

If you’re curious how I guide clients through this process, take a look at my Power Portrait session.

1. Your headline

People read your headline to understand if you’re relevant to them.

LinkedIn reports that profiles with strong headlines and photos get up to 21× more views.

“Freelancer.”

“Coach.”

“Creative professional.”

Too vague. Too safe.

Say what you do, for whom, and why it matters.

Your words don’t need to be perfect, just need to sound like you.

And when your direction shifts - update them.

Your words should grow with you.

If you want to understand how your profile currently reads to others - check this.

2. Your tone

Your tone is how people feel your presence before they ever meet you.

It shows through your captions, emails, even how you comment on a post.

People don’t connect to polish.

People connect with energy before logic.

If your photos, website, or LinkedIn posts feel distant or overly curated, you lose the emotional trust that makes people stay. You don’t need to be loud or flawless.

You don’t need to sound inspiring. You just need to sound human. Like yourself.

Whenever your audience starts to grow or change. It’s a good time to check if your tone still matches who you’re talking to.

3. Your proof

Before trusting you, people look for small signs that others already do.

A testimonial, collaboration, or one story that shows what happens after someone works with you.

According to Harvard Business Review, social proof is one of the strongest trust signals. It activates the same part of the brain as personal recommendations.

Proof just needs to exist: close enough for people to see it without searching. Even one image from a professional business photoshoot can do more than a paragraph of claims.

Confidence always shows before credentials.

💬 When to show proof: Any time you update your portfolio, launch something new, or receive client feedback worth sharing.

When someone looks you up, their mind quietly asks:

Who are you? Can I trust you? Are you relevant to me?

If your photo, words, and tone answer that - your personal brand already works.

That’s what I focus on in my work as a personal branding photographer in Amsterdam - helping people see themselves clearly before the world does.

Because....

how you show up online shapes how others see you.. and

how you start to believe in yourself again.

Are you searching for a personal branding photographer in Amsterdam?

A photoshoot should feel like you - not a fake smile for the camera, but something real, something that feels like home in your own skin.

If you’ve been searching for a professional photoshoot near you, or putting off that long-overdue LinkedIn update, let’s make it simple.

You can book a free intro call to talk through your goals, or explore available sessions to see what fits you best.

Whether you need a LinkedIn profile photoshoot, a branding session for your business, or just want portraits that finally feel right - I’ll guide you through every step, from planning to final delivery.

Each session is built around one goal: helping you show up clearly, confidently, and fully yourself.

Whether you’re looking for a profile photoshoot, a branding session or just want portraits that finally feel right.