Real Faces, Real Trust

by Brenna Martin, VPG Social Media Specialist

In today’s digital world, your profile picture is often the first introduction people have to you. Think of it as your modern-day handshake. Whether it’s on LinkedIn, Instagram, or a company bio, that small image carries a big message about who you are and how you want to be perceived. With AI-powered editing tools and filters becoming more advanced and accessible, it's now easier than ever to present a too-perfect version of yourself.

But that kind of polished presentation can sometimes undercut genuine connection—and over time, it may erode the trust you’re trying to build.

Heather Martin - Author, Editor & Bookkeeper

There’s solid evidence that people respond more positively to authentic self-presentation online. For example, a large study published in Nature Communications found that people who express themselves more genuinely on social media tend to report greater life satisfaction. And in another empirical experiment, researchers examined how viewers perceive AI-generated profile pictures: while many rated them as visually high-quality, when told the image was AI-generated, perceived credibility and trustworthiness dropped. These findings suggest that perceived authenticity, not just aesthetics, matters deeply in how we are received by others.

The line between enhancement and deception has become increasingly blurred. What began as simple retouching has evolved into full digital reconstruction, raising real concerns about authenticity. When someone’s online image looks almost like them, but not quite, it creates a subtle gap between perception and reality. It may not be intentional, but it still chips away at trust. In its most extreme form, it is called catfishing, using an image that doesn’t reflect who someone truly is. Yet even minor edits can have similar effects when the goal shifts from presenting yourself clearly to reinventing yourself entirely. If catfishing is considered dishonest in dating, why risk a smaller version of that same disconnect in professional spaces?

At the end of the day, people don’t connect with perfection; they connect with humanity. So, when choosing or updating a profile photo, aim for one that reflects you, flaws and all. Let it reinforce the sense that what you show online reasonably aligns with who they’ll meet in person. That kind of integrity builds deeper, more lasting trust than any filter ever could.