Heiser Hints

The phrase “image of God” occurs several times in Genesis (Gen 1:26–27; 5:1–3; 9:6). A close reading of the passages in which the phrase occurs tells us that the “image of God” applies to both men and women, is never used of any other earthly creature, is never described as something given to humans, and is not incremental in nature (i.e., it is not possessed partially or in stages). In other words, whatever the “image of God” means it is immediately intrinsic to all human beings equally and distinguishes human beings from everything else in creation.

From "Image of God," unpublished manuscript

We are created to image God, to be his imagers. It is what we are by definition. The image is not an ability we have, but a status. We are God's representatives on earth. To be human is to image God.

This is why Genesis 1:26-27 is followed by what theologians call the 'dominion mandate' in verse 28. The verse informs us that God intends us to be him on this planet. We are to create more imagers ("be fruitful and multiply...and fill") in order to oversee the earth by stewarding its resources and harnessing them for the benefit of all human imagers ("subdue...rule over").

From his The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible