Google Authorship & Google Publisher allows for an authors photo to appear next to their website or blog listings in Google search results.
As Google has always said, quality content is key.  The link below illustrates another reason why it is important to blog regularly and try to become a thought leader in your industry whom Google views as an authority author.  It only makes sense if your website or blog only has static outdated content, why should you be rewarded the same as someone constantly providing fresh quality content on a topic or within a subject.

If you read the article by Mark Traphagen below, you will see the changes in how and why photo’s are appearing in search results. http://www.virante.org/blog/2013/12/19/authorshippocalypse-google-authorship-penguin-finally-appeared/
#searchengineoptimizationgoogleauthorship