AI can make almost anyone look polished, credible and professional. But as generated imagery becomes more convincing, the way we respond to what we see may depend increasingly on whether we believe it is real. This reflection looks at a small study on trust in AI generated imagery, a client message that arrived at an oddly perfect moment, and what all of this might mean for professional portraits and first impressions.

A client was invited to speak at a conference and needed a professional portrait for the event. A reflection on speaker profiles, first impressions and why different moments call for different photographs.

She had spent years building a respected career inside established organisations. Then came the decision to build something of her own. A reflection on why, when the company logo comes off, your portrait often becomes part of your introduction.