Some people say that an important aspect of your writing career is your author photo. I don't think I agree to that declaration since your voice is most important. In fact, there are too many opinions on this subject including whether you should smile or not smile. I am not going to get into those opinions, or which ones make the most sense. What I am going to do is provide you with some tips from an Indie author standpoint.
These are my author photos at this time.
I use them without particular thought to which goes with what genre. I use them because I like the look of my face and the background.
These are not professional photographs. My husband, who has had photography training, took them. I edited them. It was a simple enough task and suited my needs. If you happen to have a friend, spouse, or loved one who does photography and can take photos well, ask them for help.
If you do not, here are a few tips:
1. Use social media or search to locate a local photographer. I can find multiple photographers within moments. Most of them have websites or social media pages to view their work. In some cases, you could get a mini session for less than $50.00 USD. If you are looking for someone who specifically takes author photos, you are likely going to pay much more than that.
2. Learn about photography and editing photos yourself. I cannot tell you how much this will help you throughout your career. As an Indie author, you can save a lot of money by editing your own covers.
3. Do not be afraid to smile or not smile. If you smile, you aren't going to be taken any less seriously by your readers. It is just other authors who may be judgmental.
4. Have a variety of photographs done. Go outside. Be in your kitchen. Stand in front of the stairs. It is your session. You pay for it. Get your photos. Just be natural. That is the most important aspect of any author photo.
5. Make sure your photographs are provided at 300 dbi minimum. 300 dbi is the minimum for covers, but you can use a photo with less dbi for your website. In the press kit, it needs to be 300 dbi so it can be downloaded.
Once you have a photograph you like, include it in your press kit at 300 dbi.
Here's an example:
You can have more than one photograph on the page. I use the one I like the best.
Stay tuned for March 8th where I will provide a guide on your biography.
These are my author photos at this time.
I use them without particular thought to which goes with what genre. I use them because I like the look of my face and the background.
These are not professional photographs. My husband, who has had photography training, took them. I edited them. It was a simple enough task and suited my needs. If you happen to have a friend, spouse, or loved one who does photography and can take photos well, ask them for help.
If you do not, here are a few tips:
1. Use social media or search to locate a local photographer. I can find multiple photographers within moments. Most of them have websites or social media pages to view their work. In some cases, you could get a mini session for less than $50.00 USD. If you are looking for someone who specifically takes author photos, you are likely going to pay much more than that.
2. Learn about photography and editing photos yourself. I cannot tell you how much this will help you throughout your career. As an Indie author, you can save a lot of money by editing your own covers.
3. Do not be afraid to smile or not smile. If you smile, you aren't going to be taken any less seriously by your readers. It is just other authors who may be judgmental.
4. Have a variety of photographs done. Go outside. Be in your kitchen. Stand in front of the stairs. It is your session. You pay for it. Get your photos. Just be natural. That is the most important aspect of any author photo.
5. Make sure your photographs are provided at 300 dbi minimum. 300 dbi is the minimum for covers, but you can use a photo with less dbi for your website. In the press kit, it needs to be 300 dbi so it can be downloaded.
Once you have a photograph you like, include it in your press kit at 300 dbi.
Here's an example:
This is a photo of my Press Kit. As you can see, I have my author photo on the right side of the page.
I have allowed my photograph to be downloaded. You right click the photograph and save it to your computer.
Save it where you want. I have saved mine in a Press Kit folder.
You can have more than one photograph on the page. I use the one I like the best.
Stay tuned for March 8th where I will provide a guide on your biography.
