Profile Pic for Pen Name?

by 23 replies
28
I was just wondering what you all do about a profile picture when you're using a pen name. I write under a couple of different identities (mostly for my clients), and I want to have a profile picture for article and social networking sites so folks know I'm a real person. I definitely don't want to use a logo, my real pic (I don't want the confusion with 4 names and one picture!), and I really don't want to use a caricature.

Does anyone have any suggestions? How do you handle it?

Thanks!
#main internet marketing discussion forum #pen #pic #profile
  • I usually just don't have a face for my pen names.

    You could always buy a few stock photos.
  • I use istockphotos.

    Saves messing around, and prevents any unwanted "hey, take my photo down" moments.
  • Thanks guys I didn't know whether or not there would be any issues using a stock photo!
    • [1] reply
    • When you are purchasing stock photos you also need to read the license agreements. Some license agreements for certain photos do not allow you to use their pictures as profile pictures.

      So, when you purchas the stock photo just make sure you are purchasing one that allows you to use the photo at an actual profile photo.
  • I don't use images with pen names, although I have dozens of them.

    Stock photos is the way to go, or get permission from a friend.

    The only issue in using a stock photo is that perhaps you pick an image that is known on the web in connection with other articles. But the chances of that are slim at best.
    • [1] reply
    • Great! That's what I'm hoping, especially since none are in the IM niche!
      • [1] reply
  • Right of Publicity in some jurisdictions can extend as much as 70-100 years after a person's death.
  • Banned
    Please excuse me if I'm stating the obvious, here, but 11 replies have apparently gone by without anyone commenting on this: you also need to read the terms of service of any site(s) on which you're proposing to do this. They do vary, and there are consequences of breaching them!
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • I was going to chime in that this use would not be permitted by istockphoto, but since others are on it let me add this suggestion:

      Start with the proposition that images cannot be used for any purpose.

      Then review the terms of a site like istockphoto and see what rights are granted and uses are allowed.

      Use accordingly.

      Also, I like stock photo sites in the US, where I am, so in case of catastrophe: fraud, a lawsuit, etc., the real "bad guy" can reasonably be dragged into the problem.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • Banned
    i also don't like stock photo. i think its best to find a pic of a person who is familiar in this field and also publish articles, write articles in other sites. remember to re size it and simple edit is good.
  • A real person with a fake photo?
    • [2] replies
    • Well, for women, options are wigs, hairstyles, glasses, etc.

      For men, wigs, mustaches, beards, goatees, glasses, etc.

      I know some people that look completely different in every one of their photos, even when not trying to! So, it shouldn't be too hard to use multiple pictures of yourself and not have people immediately recognize that all of them are of you.
      • [1] reply
    • Sort of? I use my real photo with my real name when I write in my niche. However, I write for some of my clients and I don't want to dilute my expertise by writing about, let's say public relations, fly fishing and accounting. So yes, I'm a real person (last time I checked ) but I'm using a pen name and a photo that is not the real me for those pen names. Now I just need to figure out how to get a photo to represent my pen names!
  • If I don't want to use my real pic I would use my Second Life avatar or for gaming sites I use my xbox or sims avatar. But an idea would be to look for a gig on Fiverr where they "transform" your picture so it would still be you but somehow will look totally different.
  • Your assuming that a person who reads your fly fishing stuff is also reading your accounting stuff.

    Unless your cross-linking-promoting your sites you can use your image for as many pen names as you want and nobody is going to notice. Just don't use the same picutre.

    Works out well for Eben Pagan / David DeAngelo.

    Something to consider, if you use stock photos as a representation of your pen name, you're limited yourself. You can't make a video staring your stock photo.
    • [1] reply
    • I know you said you didn't want a caricature, but have you considered something that looks like an artist's rendering? A realistic representation that looks more like a painting or sketched portrait than a caricature...

      (Think Betty Crocker or Uncle Ben)
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    Profile Pic for Pen Name?

    I was just wondering what you all do about a profile picture when you're using a pen name. I write under a couple of different identities (mostly for my clients), and I want to have a profile picture for article and social networking sites so folks know I'm a real person. I definitely don't want to use a logo, my real pic (I don't want the confusion with 4 names and one picture!), and I really don't want to use a caricature. Does anyone have any suggestions? How do you handle it?