My evolution of headshots as an author has been all or nothing. So, when Nailbiters first came out, my husband had an iPhone 3, iPhone 6. It was a very early model, but iPhones take good photos and I had NO money to invest in professional shots. So he took my photo. I’m relaxed on our couch and I put a black and white filter on it. Called it a day.

When Enemies of Peace came out he took a photo of me holding it and then one when I did a signing. I’m smiling big in that photo. It’s a good photo. But Enemies of Peace is not a happy smiley book.

Then when I went full-time as an author and coach (also a big milestone) I asked my husband to use his iPhone again. I had a very corporate, coach-looking headshot for Author Your Ambition. And then in very early 2020, before things happened, we did an impromptu photoshoot, again with the iPhone, to get some shots of me writing, reading, being bookish. And I used one of those photos for a headshot as well. More of a fiction look. But if you notice in the background there are a lot of books. So technically that’s a problem for publication. Not only are these images, not the high quality they would need for print, but the cover art is art. So all those book spines behind me are art that should probably get a release or credit.

Oops

So all of my headshots were DIY. They looked fine and they improved over time.

I knew I’d eventually see this translation advance come through. I figured I’d wait til that money hits my account and then I’ll take my time to find a photographer in the area who can do this for me. Vet out prices, and aesthetics.

On September 18, I got an email saying the French publisher would like a headshot by the end of the month!

I found an amazing local photographer available that weekend, AND she had an amazing price. More than just standard headshots, but getting more images. Perfect balance.
https://kirstendavey.wordpress.com/

The takeaway here is to turn over a lot of stones. There are a lot of photographers out there and you’ll find one who meets your budget, aesthetic, and needs. Also searching for a headshot studio or photo studio yielded me better results than just a photographer because that was too broad.

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Music from: Wondershare Filmora Sounds: “Something Cheer You Up”