I’ve read the typical author is an introvert. It’s true of me. Introverts don’t like to be on stage, but these days everyone needs a photo, an icon or something to represent themselves. 
My dear husband will not friend anyone without a profile picture. Doesn’t matter what, you just gotta care enough to have something there, even your dog. (Moby, a relative’s dog’s profile photo!)
A photo is even more important for an author. It’s part of what makes us real people to our readers, someone to connect with behind the written word. Clearly, I’ve had a photo on my social media and website (see right–> 🙂 ) but it’s a snapshot. When a writer is starting out a formal photo falls into the category of one more thing to do, extra expense and time on top of what a writer really needs to do–finish the d*mn book! But putting out no photo or a poor photo can do more damage than good for the author image. In my research for what to wear, whether to use props, what background suits best, I found more than a few good essays that speak to gaining the right look. Two I liked are: Mary Robinette Kowel’s Debut Author Lessons: The Author Photo and Book In A Box’s How to Take a Great Author Photo.
Not surprising, even with research it’s not as easy as one click. So when I decided to attempt the author photo, I didn’t go into it alone! Along with three other just-debuted or about-to-debut authors from my local RWA chapter, I booked a joint photo shoot session and make-up artist. Seems like a win-win for us–a bit of a discount–and for the photographer, Valerie Bey–she’s setting up once, for 4 people. Of course we had homework–decide on outfits. Another author fact is most of us do work from home and dress casually. Not pajamas in my house, but I am a jeans & t-shirts or yoga togs wearer. I won’t detail the clothing hunt, but my advice it this: start early and seek out your style-lovin’ friends. I narrowed my choices to a formal and a casual and took back-up classic black in case the photographer had better ideas.
We arrived to find Valerie’s rented studio space designed for photography, with lots of props and backgrounds on site. In the back was a ‘container’ dressing room.
Each of us had a half hour with the make-up artist, followed by an hour with Valerie. We changed clothes, she changed backgrounds and props.
We had a few peeks at the photos, but our photographer will do some touch-ups and in a week or so, we’ll each have a selection of shots to choose from. Very exciting! In the meantime I have another project: I borrowed this fabulous necklace above from a friend who made it and now I must make one, too!
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