Top Tips to Help You Get Great Author Photos

If you’ve never had professional author photos taken—or if it’s been ten years or more since you have—it’s time to do it now!

We live in a visual world. Readers want to see and connect with the author. When you invest in professional photos, you are likely to feel confident about sharing your photo wherever you need to.

Updating Your Author Photos: It’s About Who You Are

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I got my first professional author photos taken about 11 years ago. I have used those photos so much! I was surprised at how often I was pulling from my “author photo” folder. It made it clear to me that it’s worth it to invest in this important tool for your author platform.

We authors often feel uncomfortable with author photos. Many of us would prefer to hide behind caricatures or simply avoid photos altogether. But today’s reader is more demanding. They are visual and used to seeing photos. If you don’t have one—or if you use some other alternative—it looks like you’re hiding, and readers will have a harder time relating to you.

You can help yourself feel more confident by getting professional photos, as they are likely to show you at your best.

Several weeks ago, I got my photos taken again. After a decade, I look different, and I didn’t want my photo to be a lot different from who I am in person.

I was afraid I wouldn’t like my new author photos. More wrinkles! Sagging! Ack! But I was surprised to find that I prefer them.

These more recent photos reflect the person I am now. I look at them and think, Yes, that’s me. The older photos, much as I have liked them, seem distant to me now—I’m not that person anymore.

Even if you’re concerned that you won’t like your new photos, I urge you to make that appointment. You may be surprised!

5 Tips to Help You Get Great Author Photos 1. Find a Good Photographer

The right professional photographer can make all the difference in your author photos. Yes, today’s cell phones have better cameras than ever. But that’s not all that it takes to get a good photo.

Today’s photographers are more affordable than you may think. I paid less this time around than last time, and it’s 11 years later!

Check their portfolio first. Look at lighting, locations, and creativity. Once you’ve narrowed it down to your top three, call them and talk to them. Email isn’t good enough. You want to feel like this person knows what they’re doing, and like you will feel comfortable working with them.

2. Choose Your Outfits

Most photographers allow you to use 2-4 outfits in your photo session. I highly recommend you go with at least three. This will give you a variety of photos to use in your branding and increase the odds that you will be happy with at least some of the final photos.

Set out the outfits you’re thinking of using—at least 5-10. Take selfies in each one, then send those to a trusted friend for input. Some of those outfits I thought would look best on me turned out not to be the final outfits I ended up going with.

Look for something that looks good on you. Colors are critical. Choose those that light up your face. The wrong colors can kill a photo shoot!

3. Check Your Hair and Makeup

Make sure your hair looks as you want it to before the photo shoot. This isn’t the time for drastic changes. Go with a style that flatters your face. If you need a trim or color, do it a couple of weeks beforehand. Don’t wait until the day before. Give your hair time to settle in.

It’s likely your makeup will need to be different than it was 10 years ago. Don’t hesitate to go to a makeup counter for help if you need to. And don’t go too heavy—makeup that naturally accentuates your features is best.

4. Be Rested and Calm

Nothing messes up a nice photo like fatigue. Schedule your photo shoot at a time when you’re likely to be relaxed (not right after a big event). In the days beforehand, get enough rest, eat well, and exercise. Take care of yourself—it will show in your photos.

On the day of your appointment, block out some time. You don’t want to feel stressed or like you’re running late. You need time to prepare your outfits, get ready, and feel relaxed before you go.

5. Take Your Time Choosing the Photos

Once the photo shoot is done, your photographer will likely email you a “roll” of the raw, unedited images. This is your chance to go through and choose your final photos.

Most photographers include a certain number of images with the photo session. (Mine included 15.) Be sure to check beforehand so you know how they manage this. You can usually get extras for an additional fee.

I’d suggest you take screenshots of those you like (usually photographers prohibit downloading initially), put them in a file, and let them sit overnight. The next day, look at them again and eliminate those you don’t like as much.

Ask one to three other people to weigh in. It helps to get outside opinions, but you don’t want too many. Opinions are subjective, and too many can be confusing. Choose a select few people whose opinions you value and see what they think.

Through a gradual elimination process, a few photos will rise to the top as those you want to use in your author branding.

Use Your New Photos!

Once you have your new photos, update everything. That includes your website, social media channels, and any new books you’re putting out.

My photo shoot coordinated with the release of my new historical fantasy, The Curse of King Midas. That was on purpose, of course! I dropped my selection in the back right before it went to print, and I’ve been in the process of updating everything else since then.

Don’t hesitate to invest in yourself this way. You’re an author—it’s okay to look like one.

Note: Get a free inside peek at The Curse of King Midas here, along with stories from Colleen’s writing life.

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