Invest in Professional Author Portraits

Selfie taken at my day job
for some reason I can't
 remember. Not sure of how I
got the dreamy, soft edge affect
and it definitely isn't my best
best look or pose.

OK, you're working on your website and you realize, "I need a picture for my 'About Me' page!" So, you ask your spouse, offspring, partner, friend, or neighbor to take a quick picture of you with your smart phone. It doesn't matter that it's the end of the day, your makeup and coffee buzz have long faded, and you're wearing your favorite sports team shirt. Nah, your readers want to see you just as you are in all your writer angst glory. No, No, No, No....

As the old saying goes, 'you only get one chance to make a first impression.' Why not make that first impression stellar?

In my day job, I was recently promoted from Product Manager to Director of Business Development. In my new post, I often have public speaking engagements that include keynote addresses and industry expert panel discussions. All of these events have organizing committees responsible for doing marketing and promotions. Without fail, they ask for a picture and bio. Without fail, my picture and bio stand out in the event program and other promotional collateral simply because I am one of the few who submitted a professional picture.

Here's a wake up call, people: Selfies, family portraits, wedding pictures, and poorly taken candid shots are NOT good for your image, career, or PERSONA.

My C. Morgan Kennedy
author portrait.

In truth, it was my need for an author portrait that was the initial prompt for me to schedule a photo shoot. Being the ultimate multi-tasker, I decided to plan a quick wardrobe change during the shoot to get some day job portraits done, too. With a little planning, taking pictures for two different personas was easy.

Director, Business Development

Notice that the only differences between my two professional portraits are the necklace and jacket I'm wearing. My earrings, make up, and hair are all the same.

In my day job photo, I want to express professionalism and knowledge - while letting my upbeat personality peek through. No stoic, stoney-faced expressions for me.

In my author portrait, I want to be hip and urban. The crisp photo expresses professionalism and showcases the fact that I am clearly willing to make investments in my writing career and public persona. My personality still peeks through, too. In the alternate author portrait below, the photographer prompted me to give the camera some 'attitude.' Notice how the energy shift and expression change influences the entire look and feel of the final image.

I was prompted by the
photographer to give
the camera some
'attitude.'

Questions and Comments to Ponder:
1.) How do you want to perceived? What aspects of your PERSONA do you want to have captured in your author portrait?
2.) My photos were taken outdoors in a park. Therese's portrait was taken in a photo studio. Both work for us and reflect who we are and what we write.
3.) You don't have to pay loads of money to get a great picture. Call your local high school or art college to find a photography student - work with their teacher, you may become their class project! Students often work in exchange for your permission to use your shots in their portfolios.
4.)  Always clearly understand who owns the images, rights, and uses. (Most portrait photographers give you a disc or download of the images and destroy the original electronic images after a period of time. Some commercial photographers, artists, and photo journalist will seek to retain the rights.)
5.)  Avoid overly stylized 'glamour shots' that feature feather boas and excessively soft lens filters. This look was popular in the eighties....please, let it stay in the eighties!

Gary D. Robson Book Signing Tips for Authors:

 Develop a “look.” Therese and Morgan call this a PERSONA. You want to be memorable. This doesn’t mean you should wear something silly, but you need to look unique. If you wrote a cookbook, wear an apron. If you wrote a children’s book, make a T-shirt with the book’s logo. Make your own nametag. If you write mysteries set in Hawaii, wear an Aloha shirt. Don’t look like every other author out there. I’m pretty easy to spot, since I’m 6'5" tall, but I exaggerate it with a cowboy hat, boots, and a goatee.