by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
If you’re a writer, you’ll probably find a decent headshot of yourself useful.
I’m asked for my picture for everything from guest blog posts to conference programs to books. And I use my picture daily for Twitter, blogging, and Facebook.
A headshot becomes part of our brand. Marketing ourselves instead of our individual books makes good sense for writers who publish more than once.
Like many of you, I’m not wild about having my picture taken. If I’m posing, I usually have a pained expression on my face. In fact, the last professional picture I had made, the photographer finally told me in disgust that she’d had an easier time taking pictures of the crying two-year old twins down the hall. :)
But in the past few years, I’ve picked up some tips for having these pictures made—both in a photography studio and out of it.
Tips for headshots–
If you go to a photography studio, make sure you use a photographer who will release the copyright for the pictures to you. Otherwise, you can’t use them online or for an author photo. And then, really, what’s the point?
At a studio, you’ll want to ask for a “business photo.”. If you ask for a headshot, they may think you need photos for a modeling portfolio.
You don’t have to go to a studio for author photos. If you have a friend or family member who can take a good picture of you (or if you have photo editing software to touch up the picture), you could skip going to a pro.
Photographers usually recommend wearing solid colors and staying away from stark white if you’re fair.
Black and white or color picture? I send a color photo to my publisher and figure that they can make the picture black and white if they want to.
Get both high resolution and low-resolution photos on a CD. Lower res works better online (for your blog, Facebook, and Twitter) and high res is needed for print.
If your headshot is for a book (as opposed to social media/promo), make sure you know the publisher’s guidelines. Some won’t want you resting your head on your hands, or looking off to the side.
If you’re going to a studio, bring a change of clothes for a couple of different looks from the same sitting. You might also want to bring a comb or brush.
Studio business photos are not cost-prohibitive. I’ve had mine done a couple of times and they’re run about $125, total.
If you go to a studio and sport the deer-in-the-headlights look, go to plan B. :) I had my daughter take the picture in my sidebar. I was a lot more relaxed, believe me. I just sent a copy to Penguin for the first quilting mystery that releases in June. My daughter was thrilled to sign the photographer release for the quilting mystery. Of course, when I was putting the release in an envelope, I realized she’d put little circles over her is instead of dots. This happens when you’re ten. :) Might be a dead giveaway that I didn’t use a pro!
Any other tips for photos? How do you manage to relax when having your picture taken (I could use the tips!)
Elizabeth – I’m going to negotiate with your daughter to take an author head shot for me! Seriously she did a great job.
You give some good ideas here for making the head shot work, and I’ve been thinking of doing just that – getting a new head shot done. One other thing I found out; a good head shot is just of you. A lot of publishers don’t want you posing with family, pets, etc.. I know, it seems obvious, but I’ve seen that expressly written.
That is a great photo of you.
I have given up on putting a decent photo of me on my blog. Every new photo of me brings criticism from family and friends. They tell me, I don’t look like the photo and that I look better than the photo. Gee.
I guess I need to put a caption with each photo: This photo is a facsimile and in no way represents the person in the photo.
Teresa
Hi Elizabeth – I think your daughter has done an excellent job – with or without the “Saint” logo over her ‘i’ s …. I’ll be back to read everyone’s tips – you’ve probably got it right – with family and friends taking the shot – if you’re not laughing too much .. Have a good week – Hilary
I am SO blessed that my son is a photographer. Although he specializes in nature shots (visitors to my blog will have seen some examples of his work–hint: he was in Florida last week and has given me some of his nature shots to share on my blog this Friday), he has a makeshift studio in his home, and knows how to make Mom look ok. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to go to anyone else. Your tips are excellent.
As for relaxing, it’s nigh on impossible. The contortions required to make a pose look “natural” — well, who’d think you’d be sore after a head shot photo shoot! Then again, maybe you don’t have flabby necks.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
Your daughter did a fantastic job! (and that bit about the circles instead of dots cracked me up!)
My current head shot is cropped from a family photo shoot we did recently with my dad taking the pictures. Someday I’d like to have one taken of “just” me, but for right now, what I have works well!
I despise having my picture taken, but I know I’m in desperate need of a new one! Thanks for these tips, Elizabeth.
My daughter is very good with a camera so she’s been drafted. I’m hoping that will relax me.
Usually I look like I feel — scared out of my mind.
I don;t consider myself photgenic. Hate it when people take candid pics of me. I do need some new pics so thanks for the tips. And I agree that solids are the best way to go regarding clothing.
Oh, that’s so cute that your daughter had to sign the release! The somewhat professional ones I’ve got my daughter took, too. I sometimes think about getting professional ones done, but somehow it hasn’t gotten high enough on my priority list.
Hilary–Ha! Yes, little halos over her is. :) I’ll let her know that y’all think she did well. I did laugh some during the process, but we were able to get a few where I wasn’t cracking up.
Margot–That’s a good point and one I forgot! Yes, they usually state that you should be the only person or thing in the photo (no pets, etc.)
Journaling Woman–I think it would be nice to be told we look better than our pictures! A good thing, for sure.
I like your disclaimer caption! I might have to steal that…
Louise–I’d say, whatever works! And yes…ha! I’m waiting to see if Penguin gives me a call about the headshot. But hope it’ll work!
Mary–You and me both!
Stephen–I’m not wild about myself in candids, either…
Hart–It’s not high on mine either. I guess we put things off when we don’t want to do them!
I wrote a blog under the pseudonym Travener for two and a half years, so could get away with a fake photo. Now that I’e put my mystery Tainted Souls up on Kindle, though, I was faced with creating a new blog — and using a real photo. I do not like being photographed, for an endless number of reasons. I should probably take your advice and get a new head shot — as long as I can get the wrinkles and crinkles PhotoShopped out later!
That is so cute that you daughter took the photo and signed the release! She did take a great photo.
Terry–You are *very* lucky! I love your son’s photography…can’t wait to see his pictures this Friday! His landscapes are amazing.
Oh gosh, in the studio they had me twisting in all kinds of weird poses. Oddly enough, it *did* look natural. Who knows why?!
Southpaw–Thanks! She’s very proud of herself. :)
Are y’all planning a family vacation to San Antonio? I’d like to hire your daughter! I’ve just been thinking I need new photos and I hate the thought. I am Ms. Deer in the Headlights.
Elspeth–I can think of about a million things I’d rather do than have my picture taken! Hope the tips help. :)
One of these days I’ll do an official photo.
Your photo looks great! I never put mine on the Internet (right now I have a photo on my LinkedIn page, but I’ll probably delete it)
Cold As Heaven
Knowing and trusting your photographer is the key ingredient. They know what to say and do to help you look natural. I also like natural settings, and don’t be afraid to have a variety of facial expressions. We’re not ALWAYS smiling.
Love how you daughter signed her name!
My ex-husband used to jingle his keys at me–which for some reason ALWAYS worked–to get a natural smile out of me. Goofy, but effective! Thanks for the tip about the copyright. I’m hoping to get a professional picture soon, but might have to bring a friend along to jingle some keys :-)
Elizabeth – I’m using a photo my daughter took on my site (the about page). It’s natural and taken in New York. I actually like black and white but I know that’s a personal preference. Here’s to all our daughters – the best photographers around!
Alex–I’ll look forward to it!
Cold As Heaven–Oh, it couldn’t be too bad. LinkedIn is probably the place to have it, for sure, though. I don’t think I’ve seen a LinkedIn page without one.
Mary–Natural backgrounds are my favorites! The studio lighting is better, though, of course. :)
Steven–Well, and that’s another nice thing about having a friend or family member take it–we can tinker with the shot!
Carol–Ha! No, not anytime soon. Get a kid to take it, for sure, though. Sure does make for a relaxed atmosphere!
Lisa–You’re good to have a smile trigger like that! Maybe I should get the next photographer to try that with me. :)
Kellie–Great picture! Daughters are the best!