Getting Your Best Author Headshot Means Actually Doing it!
If you know me, you know that I’m an advocate for having your headshot taken once every new year. Having your best author headshot means keeping it fresh. But, I must admit, that even I have trouble following my own sound advice. I always have an excuse to put it off:
- I want to wait to get my hair done
- OR I need to lose ten pounds
- OR I don’t have enough time
They’re all right up there in my toolbox of handy excuses. But this year, I made myself do it and I’m glad I did. And you should too.
Updating Your Headshot is Important
Why, you ask? A refreshed look is more trustworthy. Imagine if celebrities used the same headshot year after year, you’d start to wonder if they are taking their career in the spotlight seriously. And yes, like it or not, as an author building an author brand, you want to be in the spotlight and stay top-of-mind with your readers. A new headshot gives you a chance to promote yourself to your followers.
And, bonus, a badass headshot is really good for boosting your confidence and self-esteem.
Plus, the more photos there are of you out there on the Internet optimizing your presence, the more likely you are to come up in a search. And don’t you want that search to produce the best author headshot you have?
Lastly, and this argument applies to all my 40-plus authors—you’ll never be as young and gorgeous as you are right now—we only get older folks. I’m a year older and ten pounds heavier than I was last year when I put off my headshots for the second year in a row (see list of excuses above).
Getting Your Best Author Headshot Requires Some Help from the Pros
Last week, I was encouraging a client to get new headshots. Because his were mostly dated snapshots that didn’t accurately represent him or his brand. He said, “I don’t think I should have to pay more than $200 for a headshot.” I paused…
Though it can be tempting to wing it, or have a friend attempt a photo shoot, your best author headshot isn’t going to come with luck and an iPhone camera. A professional looking headshot is best done by, well, a professional.
A Good Photographer Does More than Click the Shutter
They understand lighting, they pay attention to what you are wearing (and if your collar is askew), they pay attention to YOU and what will make YOU look good. A professional photographer has spent their career learning about lighting and setting and tone. Plus, they know when to swap out lenses to capture different looks— from long shots to more intimate portraiture (and they have many lenses). Plus, getting your best author headshot ever means spending anywhere from one to three hours with you—waiting till you relax so they can capture you at your best. A good photographer is patient. You should be too.
There’s More Than the Shooting, Folks.
After your photographer has captured your image they then need to ingest those photos into their computer and the magic begins. They will spend hours sifting through your hundreds of photos, eliminating the ones that are cringe-worthy (and you never want to see), to smoothing your skin tone, whitening your teeth, and bringing up (or lowering) the balance, and all sorts of other stuff the pros do in post-production. But also, a photographer who captures your image easily is a gold mine for you. That just means they are good at what they do, not that you should pay them less. Building your brand is all about putting your best smile forward (not a snapshot of you in front of that bush in your front yard where the bush is more in focus than you are).
Let’s Talk About Fear
When it comes down to it, most of us hold fear around the idea of putting ourselves out there. Many people are deathly afraid of getting their headshot taken and have nightmares leading up to the day of the shoot. I want to encourage you to push yourself and do it anyway. I always like to remind people that there is magic to be found just past the threshold of your comfort zone. A good photographer will help you feel confident and bring out your best look.
Here are a few of my latest headshots from a recent shoot. You can click on them to expand.
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This one has a more casual and relaxed vibe. My every day kind of headshot.
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Here's one of my basic "Professional" looking headshots. I have many. You should too!
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We called this my singer songwriter look. But really, this photo is about having a chill and creative vibe.
Jeniffer’s 7 Tips for Getting the Best Author Photo—Ever
1.Look for example headshots that capture the person in the way you hope to be represented. Create a folder or Pinterest board with these images and share them with your photographer.
2.Research your outfits. The way you dress is part of your brand. A tailored look is important (and more flattering). If you’re not sure what looks good on you, hire a style consultant.
3.Prepare a minimum of three outfits for a variety of looks. Test those outfits in advance by taking a few selfies or enlist a friend to take your photo in the outfit. Many outfits that look spectacular in person look terrible on camera, usually because the material drags or hangs in an awkward way that we don’t notice when we are in motion.
4.Consider the setting. Outdoor shots provide a casual and carefree look whereas studio shots tend to be more professional. What look do you want?
5.Buy some new threads. You deserve it. And, you’ll feel like a million bucks. Confidence comes through loud and clear when you are feeling good about yourself.
6.Talk to your photographer in advance. Make sure they get you and your goals. Make sure you feel comfortable enough to let go and shine!
7.Finally, check out your photographer’s work, and make sure you like it. Go to their website and Instagram and get a feel for their aesthetic. If it fits, everything else is more likely to fall into place too.
Remember, you don’t have to share your photos! Just get it done and decide later—but go into it believing that you WILL get the shot. And, if you do like your photos, you’ll be so glad you spent the time. You’ll be investing in your brand and your future.
For more tips on preparing for your author headshot, check out the Monkey C Media post on the topic.
