Recognize faces – show your face
Even in direct contact, we react immediately to someone with a face. We even recognize apparent faces in objects. As empathetic, social beings, we are programmed to look at human faces more attentively than other patterns. Even newborns can recognize faces.
When we interact, we want to see the person we are talking to. This is one of the reasons why companies rely on corporate influencers, on recognizable personalities who represent a brand. Even in a direct conversation, in a lecture, in a meeting, I am present as a person, as the person I am talking to. The photo is no substitute for a living, speaking person, but it links the factual statement or contribution to the discussion with a recognizable personality.
Last but not least, the expression “show your face” means facebook data that someone publicly stands up for an opinion or a stance.
If I never dare to show my face, I may miss out on opportunities to give important content the visibility it needs. By making my message less visible, I may be depriving many people in my network of the opportunity to learn about something that will be of use to them.
The selfie is (part of) the message
So when we post our own photo, we take a position, we stand up for something. We show our counterpart our face at first glance, much more impressively than just with the small profile picture icon next to the post. So we don't just use self-portraits to serve an algorithm, we make it easier for the counterpart to locate us and themselves in relation to us.
Depending on the platform, occasion and content, the selfie has different functions. The photo underlines the message, for example when it complements a text post. It is an important part of the message when, for example, I report on an experience or an event in words and pictures. Or it represents the actual message when I let my followers share in my life - for example on Instagram. How much I show myself and where my priorities lie is highly individual and will always change.