Pic 1 is more a "I'm a thoughtful type person who cares about herself" Pic 2 is more a "I'm real, out there and mean business" So it depends what type of "personality" you want to give out. You could always go for the "passport" style photo if you just want a plain photo.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.