Author photos: tips

Monday, May 16, 2011       •       1 Comment

I get a lot of comments about how my portraits look good and that I have great subjects. While I will agree that I do have great subjects, authors aren’t models. Authors are writers, hermits sometimes even, who are in their pajamas at home and write. Or so, I’d like to imagine! On occasion they get sent off to talk and sign books but they don’t get training in how to pose and look gorgeous the way my models do.

So those of you scared of getting in behind the camera,or have had bad experiences with cameras here’s a few tips.

1. Find someone you’re comfortable with.
Authors, it is so important that you don’t just jump to the nearest and cheapest photographer. Save your money if you have to but get someone who’ll make you look nice. And I don’t mean make you look SO nice you’re unrecognizable, but do get someone who makes you look pretty and yourself. After all, these author photos are first impressions to your readers and industry.

If you are uncomfortable at a shoot it will show. When I used to work at a studio (Oh, the horrors!) I had a day where I had to shoot a little girl. All the lights and equipment made her so uncomfortable there was no way we would ever get one decent shot. It just doesn’t work.

Laugh in your photo if you you want to. Or don’t even look at the camera.

2. Have different options.
If you write dark books maybe try for a darker look. Or more serious. And just in case try a happy one.

That is what we did with Lisa McMann. She writes darker books for teens but also has a middle grade, so we wanted to have options.

3. Know your good side.
This might sound vain but you have a good side. Maybe a cute dimple on your right side, or your hair parts on your left. Margaret Stohl proved me right on this and you’ll see many of her photos feature her right side. Nothing wrong with know how you look best. And if you don’t know your good side, don’t fret, it’s up to your photographer to find it. Hence why #1 is so important.

4. As Beth Revis pointed out to me on Twitter- Don’t be cliche.
Meaning arms crossed in front of you all serious, or hands on chins (which I cringe every time at).

5. Be creative.
Have fun with it! Don’t shy from trying something different. One of my fave author photos is Richard Kadrey‘s with Holly Black‘s a close second.

6. The unexpected works too.
And in case you just don’t have a good photo and need something for a substitute until you do get one… just use a nice, well lit and clean photo from one of your events.

Well there goes my two cents. Basically invest in a good photographer, one that will make you comfortable and one that will deliver. And don’t forget to have fun and be creative.

What advice do you have, authors or photographers? Have you had any bad experiences? What have you learned?

And PS- I’ll be in NYC around BEA and if you need or want photos email me at vandsmedia[at]gmail.com. I have a few spots available.