Author's portraits

BeccaPrice · 05-20-2013, 09:47 AM

I need to get a portrait taken for a professional book (I'm a technical writer by trade). I also want one for the CreateSpace versions of my fairy stories.

Clearly for the professional portrait I should wear a business suit - would a background of books be too cheesy? or should I just have a neutral background?

Can I use the same portrait for my fairy tales? would a business suit look too formal for that? If so, what kinds of things should I wear for that shot? (I normally just wear jeans and a t-shirt, don't have much by way of dresses, unless I go Really Fancy like for weddings and such.)

Turtle91 · 05-20-2013, 09:59 AM

For the fairytales: I prefer to see the author as a person...as who they are... it lets me make a better connection. If you are comfortable in jeans then by all means wear them....same with the background. eg. If you are a horse person then I would love to see you in boots and a field with horses in the background.

For the Technical Books: Yes, go with your business attire - and a background consistent with your career field.

BeccaPrice · 05-20-2013, 10:02 AM

So in other words, I need two different pictures. That makes sense, but could get expensive.

VydorScope · 05-20-2013, 12:16 PM

I do not know if I did it right or not, but if you check my Amazon author page you can see the one I had taken by a friend. We used a local college's property for the back drop. Personally I think it works for a fiction author. I know nothing about tech writers though.

kennyc · 05-24-2013, 07:37 AM

You need something like this:

Dr. Drib · 05-24-2013, 08:17 AM

I prefer photos that depict a 'Before' and 'After' look.

The 'After' is on the right.

Readers like to identify with authors in some way.

Don

05-20-2013, 09:47 AM	#1
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,146 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	Author's portraits I need to get a portrait taken for a professional book (I'm a technical writer by trade). I also want one for the CreateSpace versions of my fairy stories. Clearly for the professional portrait I should wear a business suit - would a background of books be too cheesy? or should I just have a neutral background? Can I use the same portrait for my fairy tales? would a business suit look too formal for that? If so, what kinds of things should I wear for that shot? (I normally just wear jeans and a t-shirt, don't have much by way of dresses, unless I go Really Fancy like for weddings and such.)

05-24-2013, 08:17 AM	#6
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,341 Karma: 59447733 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	I prefer photos that depict a 'Before' and 'After' look. The 'After' is on the right. Readers like to identify with authors in some way. Don Attached Thumbnails

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05-20-2013, 09:59 AM	#2
Turtle91 A Hairy Wizard Posts: 3,312 Karma: 20171571 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Charleston, SC today Device: iPhone 15/11/X/6/iPad 1,2,Air & Air Pro/Surface Pro/Kindle PW & Fire	For the fairytales: I prefer to see the author as a person...as who they are... it lets me make a better connection. If you are comfortable in jeans then by all means wear them....same with the background. eg. If you are a horse person then I would love to see you in boots and a field with horses in the background. For the Technical Books: Yes, go with your business attire - and a background consistent with your career field.

05-20-2013, 10:02 AM	#3
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,146 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	So in other words, I need two different pictures. That makes sense, but could get expensive.

05-20-2013, 12:16 PM	#4
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	I do not know if I did it right or not, but if you check my Amazon author page you can see the one I had taken by a friend. We used a local college's property for the back drop. Personally I think it works for a fiction author. I know nothing about tech writers though.

05-24-2013, 07:37 AM	#5
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,891 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	You need something like this:

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