Help for authors timid about technology
A picture is worth a thousand words. Avoid lame author portraits. Your agent, family, and fans will thank you.
For years, we’ve heard the adage about pictures having impact. But in the age of digital photography, it is tempting to think that anyone with a camera is a photographer. It’s a lie.
Contrary to popular belief, there is not an app for talent.
Your author picture matters. If you don’t have a high-quality picture, you won’t be taken seriously.
Like it or not, that’s the way it works in a digital world. You are judged by your pixels.
If you are an author, you need a professional quality author portrait. This photo is how you will be represented to the world on your blog, Facebook author page, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest account, your business cards, and on the back of your books If your portrait isn’t up to par, people can tell in a glance. There’s nothing worse than an out of focus, awkwardly posed photo.
There are photos that belong in family albums and photos that belong in the public eye. All too often, the lines between the two get blurred when people are on a budget.
Your author picture is just as important as your about me page. It’s worth every penny you spend on it. If you amortize the cost by dividing the price by the number of impressions it will have, it’s one of the best investments you will make as an author (right behind an author website).
If you want a professional photo, hire a professional. Don’t for the cheap photographer who uses a point-and-shoot or iPhone.
Photography is an art, just like writing. Professional photographers are just as misunderstood as professional writers. Treat them with respect. Review the photographer’s portfolio before you hire them. Many photographers have websites that showcase their work.
See if their photography has these three vital elements.
1. Clarity
Do you know part of your body needs to be the focal point? It’s your eyes. The clarity of the eyes is the difference between a professional photographer and an amateur. Your eyes should have catchlights so you look alive. Look at the man’s eyes in the picture above. His eyes are sharp and in focus. The man in the first photo is a different story. He looks dull and lifeless. His picture is all too common and ugly.
2. Conciseness
Your picture is not a modern painting. The only elements that draw the viewers attention should be your face. This is not the time to be coyly posing behind a palm tree. The background should not be distracting. Your photographer needs to take the time to make sure the background is complementary. Look through their portfolio. Are there ugly elements like bad poses or model placement? If your photographer’s portfolio resembles a photo mill from the 1990′s, run far, far away.
3. Consistent
How does your photographer draw out their models personalities? Your image personifies your brand and you need to make sure that your photographer can help you present that. If you write about horses, incorporate a horse into your picture. If you write thrillers, you can take a cue from Ted Dekker and experiment with shadows. Ask the photographer how they draw out the unique aspects of each client.
What kind of experience do you have with photographers? What tips for finding a photographer can you share?
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One point worth mentioning is that if you can’t get a good portrait, then maybe you should do without until you can.
That’s a great point.
Agreed 100%. I also learned the hard way that if you ever let a conference have a bad speaker photo, it will never go away… and if you let a conference or blog choose what they find on the internet, they’ll inevitably choose one of the bad photos!
I think the best photographers are the ones who know a little bit of your personality and so they know when they’re getting ‘the real you’. I am very grateful for my publicity photos done by Lancia Smith (www.lanciaesmith.com) as she is a professional who also knows how to capture personality in a really natural way.
You have a great portrait, Holly. What a great plug for your photographer!
Another important factor is time. When I worked in journalism, we consistently found that if a subject gave our photographer time to get to know them a little, explore their facility for interesting locations, he came back with great photos. But when people gave him only five minutes in their office, the photos were relatively boring. You can’t expect great work in a hurry.
Yes! You can’t microwave success.
So true. I look at the photos, including my own, and say “Yikes,” most of the time. Okay, this post pushed me to start looking for photographers.
A great place to start is your friends. Ask them which photographers they recommend.
Thank you for writing about this. I’m a professional photographer, so I really appreciate this being said by someone other than a photographer. I will definitely be linking to this article in an upcoming newsletter or blog post!
Thanks, Lisa! Photography is a pet issue of mine as I have quite a few friends who are professional photographers. I’ve learned a lot about the craft by being on both sides of the camera. Being a model is easy. It’s up to the photographer to bring out the personality and beauty!
Caitlin,
Thanks for these practical tips on the importance of a professional author photo,one that is able to capture your uniqueness. I will use your guidelines in selecting the right photographer for my author photo!
Kathy
I’m glad it helped, Kathy!
I wear glasses and am never seen without them. How do you get a clear picture of your eyes through glasses. I wouldn’t want to have my picture taken without glasses and people would never recognize me. What’s the best suggestion here?
The ideal solution would be contacts because there tends to be a glare on the glasses. However, there are ways to get around that.
The glare is all about the angle of reflection. So the light needs to be at the side of the model, minimizing the reflection and allowing the camera to capture the eyes and not the lenses.
This video explains it well – http://tinyurl.com/7wafgtl
Delaine i’m the same way. I’m blind without glasses.
If you’re in Austin, Check out Andrew sterling http://www.sterlingimages.com
Loved the post. Any suggestions for specs to give to your photographer so you have images for all needs?
If you have an agent already, you should ask them what they want. But you’ll need a standard head & shoulders shot.
Like Lisa, I am also a professional photographer and want to say THANK YOU for writing this!
I have a program that I have given to an RWA group that discusses this topic and gives tips on what constitutes a good photo, how to choose a photographer, etc. and you are spot-on, Caitlin! 
Also, to Delaine, it’s easier to take photos without the glasses, but a good photographer will know how to position you (and their lights) so as to avoid glasses glare.
Thanks for stopping by, Mary! There needs to be more respect for photographers – it’s a craft, just like writing!
This is so true! I have a great photographer who is good with portraits. He has a great skill in working with people who wear glasses. I am not photogenic. So I was really impressed with the outcome.
Checkout my website http://www.cpainaustin.com
Or his http://www.sterlingimages.com
Thanks for sharing, Evelyn!
I’d have to verify with you here. Which is not something I normally do! I get pleasure from reading a put up that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for allowing me to comment!
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