Well, I do online therapy, meaning much of the time I spend with my therapist, we are typing back and forth. During these sessions, I see a photo of her, which also appears on the profile page where customers can choose to work with her or not.

Two months ago, she changed her photo, just edited it really. The old photo made me think "warmth, professionalism, kindness" The new photo still boasts her nice smile, but the changed lighting, perspective and cropping make me think more: "dark, ominous, intense." Like, if the last photo was an 8 out of 10, for me, this one's like.... a 4. I'm asking myself why I feel justified criticizing her photo. I don't know that I do feel justified, I just know that every time I look at the photo, I don't find it comforting, and I miss the comforting feeling I got from looking at the old one.

So, today, I wrote her this, but I am afraid it is rude of me. What do you all think:

This is what I sent her *already*

"Hello XXXXXX,

I hope you're well. I wondered if you would mind a bit of feedback about the technical aspect of your profile photo? I don't wish to be a bother, but we work together so often and it's basically the only representation I have of you.

If it were me, I'd say "no thank you" haha, so please don't feel obligated to let me share my two cents.

Very best,

Leah"

If she says it's ok to give feedback- this is what I wanted to say, but I am very afraid to offend her and to be out of line. What do you all think, I haven't sent this second part yet, so I could still back out or change it:

"A couple months ago you cropped your previous photo I think, and I spent the last couple months trying to appreciate the current cropped version more, but my initial impression remains. I believe the prior photo was more flattering, for technical reasons. The prior photo included a few elements I thought made your warmth and professionalism shine more: I recall your necklace, pretty blouse, and also more of that lovely green background, and how well all the elements coordinated. I love that version of the photo. The current version, it seems to me when it was cropped that the contrast was increased so there's a starkness arising from the light and dark of face and hair and this broad black halo around your head that I find a bit disconcerting. For my two cents worth, I thought perhaps that version might be even more appealing to other potential clients, though I know that's subjective.

I hope you don't mind my comments too much. If you said the same to me, I might be bothered, ha, but it's just that that photo is really the only view I have of you during all the hours we work together, since we don't get to meet in person or via Skype or anything. I really found the previous version of the photo comforting, and wanted to let you know."