It's not fear, it's freedom. It's freedom from other people's idea of who and what you are. Outside of dating, my looks have nothing to do with anything. Looks are just a way for people to judge you, pigeon hole you, and stereotype you. "Oh, you're this age? Then you're this kind of person. Oh you're this race, then you're this kind of person. Oh you're this sex? Then you're this kind of person. Oh you dress like this? Then you must be this kind of person. Oh you're this weight? Then you must be this kind of person." Looks allow people to be intellectually lazy - to think they know who you before they've even spoken to you.
Personally I wish no one had their picture up except on the dating sub. Someone's picture adds nothing to the conversation here for me. I care about what have you actually done and how do you know what you know.