The Opinion That Many People Hold About You

Photography, Portraiture, and the Power of Public Image

by Leslie Gabaldón

Growing up in Caracas, my mom—an incredibly educated woman with a deep passion for classical art, music, and literature—used to take me to museums almost every Sunday. I suppose I became an artist partly because of the marvelous paintings and sculptures I saw.

One of the genres I was most drawn to was portraiture. I remember admiring the painting itself and the subjects portrayed. They looked so important, so dignified, and so cool!

Why did I feel that way? Because that was the purpose of portraiture. For centuries, people commissioned portraits to capture their likeness and shape how they were perceived—to project power, elegance, and influence. In other words, it was about public image.

And isn’t that fascinating? That same impulse is still alive today. The canvas may have turned into a digital screen, but the intention hasn’t changed: we all want to be seen in a way that reflects our value, our place in the world, and the legacy we’re building.

Maybe that’s why portraiture became my natural language when I eventually picked up a camera.

Years later, in 2010, I decided to expand beyond my art into the commercial realm. People were asking me to photograph their products, weddings, and headshots—drawn, I suppose, to my style and sensitivity. For a long time, I resisted.

At first, I took on small jobs—sometimes even without charging a fee. Fast forward to today, and I now own a full-service brick-and-mortar photography studio. We do product and advertising photography, but my true passion? Portraits and Headshots.

And no matter what kind of work I was doing, one thing kept surfacing repeatedly: the question of public image. I’ve seen firsthand how deeply it impacts not only our professional lives but also our personal ones.

No matter their industry or role, every person I work with has one thing in common: an awareness of how crucial—and delicate—their public image really is.

What Do We Mean by Public Image?

Public image is the opinion that many people hold about you (Merriam-Webster). It’s how you are generally perceived—not just through your portrait but through every interaction, visual or otherwise (Cambridge Dictionary). In professional and personal arenas, this image is shaped by how you present yourself in media, communication, and even casual exchanges (Pinzur PR).

Why Public Image Matters

First impressions are made in seconds. Before you speak, people are already forming an opinion—through your LinkedIn photo, website bio, or even your Instagram profile picture.

I’ve seen this in my studio countless times. Someone comes in saying, “I just need one decent picture for work.” But that image doesn’t just sit in a file—it becomes their introduction in meetings, applications, speaking engagements, and even personal milestones.

Public image matters because it shapes trust, credibility, and connection. A polished but authentic portrait signals confidence and communicates that you take yourself—and the people you’re meeting—thoughtfully. An outdated or careless photo can unintentionally send the opposite message.

And this isn’t just about executives or CEOs. I’ve worked with entrepreneurs, doctors, students, and artists. No matter the background, the goal is universal: to be seen in a way that reflects the best version of themselves—without losing authenticity.

The Science Behind First Impressions

And here’s where it gets even more fascinating: long before someone reads your bio or hears you speak, their brain has already formed a snap judgment.

Research shows that even when people see a face so briefly they don’t consciously register it (a technique called backward masking), the amygdala—the brain’s emotional processor—activates. It’s especially tuned to trustworthiness and emotional cues (Wired, TIME).

Your portrait isn’t just a nice picture—it’s a trigger for a first impression that bypasses conscious thought. It builds trust, signals confidence, or raises doubts—all in the blink of an eye.

In conclusion 

Your public image is powerful. It’s not vanity—it’s visibility. It’s not superficial—it’s strategy. How you present yourself through photography influences how others connect with you, trust you, and remember you.

That’s why I’m passionate about portraits and headshots: because they aren’t just pictures. They’re opportunities to take control of “the opinion that many people hold about you.”

Public image is delicate, yet powerful. When nurtured with intention, it becomes one of your greatest allies. I invite you to think about how you want to be seen—and how your image can carry that message forward.

“Your public image is powerful. It’s not vanity—it’s visibility.”