Clippy is my Profile Picture. Why as a Personal Brand Photographer since my headshot is pretty important and ithout it people don’t recognize me and it seems hypocritical.
Why when I provide headshots and I recommend professional headshots for marketing and yet my own profile picture is now a paper clip.
As a Personal Brand Photographer, my headshot matters.
It’s recognition. It’s credibility. It’s proof I practise what I preach.
So why is my LinkedIn profile picture a paperclip?
Recently you may have noticed more paperclips online. It started with Louis Rossmann, who chose Clippy as the symbol of protest:
“Clippy wasn’t gathering data, tracking you, or selling your information. He just wanted to help.”
This movement is pushing back against:
- Tech companies pushing predatory practices
- Data scraping without consent
- Forced subscriptions
- Privacy intrusions
Part 2
What does this mean for Personal Branding, Business and You?
Technology was supposed to make life easier.
But it hasn’t.
Progress has stalled. Quality has collapsed.
Devices aren’t built to last — they’re built to break.
Businesses bleed cash on five, ten subscriptions just to function.
Running a company now takes multiple devices just to stay online.
Even applying for a job risks your data being sold.
This isn’t progress.
It’s exploitation. And people are sick of it.
As a business owner you feel it more than anyone.
You travel. You present. You record. You live.
And every step, tech companies squeeze you — and your family.
People aren’t just tired.
They’re waking up.
What does this have to do with Personal Branding and why am I as a Photographer talking about this?
We are stronger together, a group composed on individuals.
I am responsible for encouraging purchases.
I am responsible for a lot of advertising.
I feel some responsibility for this.
I run an ethical business.
I want a more ethical future for the next generation.
I am just one person but I am among thousands.
You’re not boring. But your brand might be saying otherwise.
I’m Tom Symington personal brand photographer for C-suite leaders, rising founders, and public figures who need imagery that builds instant trust, visual authority, and long-term influence.
I craft high-impact photography rooted in psychology and strategy so you don’t just get see you get remembered, respected, and chosen.
Clients include HSBC, FSB, MPs, council leaders and reputation-focused business owners who don’t leave their visibility to chance.
If your brand presence isn’t where your ambition is it’s time we talked.
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