Author Photos and branding

Wordnut · Jun 24, 2015

Terry Pratchett had a particular look. He had a well-trimmed beard, dressed mostly in black and wore a fedora.

George RR Martin's beard is less well-trimmed. He's also usually seen wearing a hat, but he adds characteristic suspenders and oversized glasses to his image.

My branding game is not in their league. Mostly, the only image of me that's out there is my author photo - and that's fairly bland. It's a studio portrait thing that doesn't show much character.

I'm a novelist. Bland and characterless aren't how I want (or need) to be perceived. I would prefer thoughtful or even mysterious - but definitely intelligent and insightful.

So I've had some photos taken by a photographer friend. You can see them here.

What do you think? What are your thoughts around author photos in general?

SBibb · Jun 24, 2015

I would say that I don't put much stock in author photos, but I do tend to remember them, and I do enjoy seeing them at the back of a book, so I could be wrong in how useful they are. What kind of genre are you going for? The full-color studio photo seems more business-professional. The color dramatic lighting photo seems more warm but mysterious, while the black and white one seems more... mysterious? I don't like that one as much, but I think that may be a rule-of-thirds thing. Personally, I like the color one with the shadows best. It has both the thoughtful and mysterious aspects.

Granted, I currently use a black and white author photo that may or may not actually look like me, due to the lighting.

veinglory · Jun 24, 2015

I am not sure I would call aspects of appearance that are I fact just how those people are part of some kind of conscious "branding". Both of those authors look the same candid as they do posed, for the most part.

SBibb · Jun 24, 2015

veinglory said:
I am not sure I would call aspects of appearance that are I fact just how those people are part of some kind of conscious "branding". Both of those authors look the same candid as they do posed, for the most part.

Actually, this is a good point. When I went to ConQuest this year, both G.R.R. Martin and Brandon Sanderson were there. I'd seen photos of them before, and they looked about the same in real life. Granted, authors could consciously choose to dress and present themselves to the public in a certain way, so it's something to consider, but perhaps just having a nice picture will do the trick for looking professional. After all, the story is what you want to sell, not your picture.

lizmonster · Jun 24, 2015

Just went through this myself a couple of weeks ago. I had some similar concerns, but I also had the issue of not wanting a "feminine" pose. In the end I went with a pretty traditional head shot. I don't know if it's compelling or memorable, but it does look the way I look in real life, which was important to me. I'm just starting down this branding road, and the more natural it feels, the easier I suspect it will be to cultivate.

On your photos: I really like the first one. Makes you look like someone I'd want to sit and chat with, and certainly someone who might have written an interesting novel. (Plus I'm fond of black and white.)

CathleenT · Jun 24, 2015

I like the third photo, on the right. I think the chiaroscuro lighting is effective, and you look thoughtful. The first obscures part of your face, which makes me wonder why. There's nothing wrong with the middle one, if you like it, but it doesn't convey any sort of mood.

Laurasaurus · Jun 28, 2015

Just to be no help whatsoever, I really like the middle one! You look friendly and I'd be more likely to want to pick up your book. I'm not always a massive fan of the more 'posed' writerly author photos.

mirandashell · Jun 28, 2015

If I was going to do this, I would definitely go for a 'look' like Martin and Pratchett. It means that if you become famous, you can still go out in public if you're not wearing the 'look' cos no-one will recognise you.

cmhbob · Jun 28, 2015

I really like Cussler's photos, since he poses with one of "Dirk Pitt's" cars, often the one in the book.

ErezMA · Jun 29, 2015

Every good author picture, in my opinion, says something about you. I was recently on a cruise and had a picture of me taken where I lean forward. I had a cocky smile and was wearing a suit. I think it says that I like to dress up, I'm quite ballsy and I'm ready to take a chance. Find out who you are and go with it.

Bolero · Jul 12, 2015

My take is

I prefer the author looking at me - so that would make it the middle one, except I prefer the colour and the lighting in number 3 and think the glasses suit you. If you had one like number 3 but looking at the camera that would be my ideal.

Also I happen to dislike hands up by the face in photos, which would eliminate 1 and 3.

I know you aren't asking about the book cover - but -

I wasn't too keen on the handwriting sort of script especially in the title. Just thought I'd mention it since I reacted to it and it was in your link.

ElaineA · Jul 12, 2015

Laurasaurus said:
I really like the middle one! You look friendly <snip>

This was exactly my reaction, along with the thought that you look open and accessible, very real. I did not like #3 because I'm wondering why you don't want to make eye contact.

This is what happens when you ask for opinions, no? It's really eye-opening to see everyone's different reactions.

Good luck with the picture AND the book!

Mclesh · Jul 14, 2015

My vote is for the middle one. You look friendly and approachable. The hands by the face look too staged (to me).

Lavern08 · Jul 14, 2015

Mclesh said:
My vote is for the middle one. You look friendly and approachable

^ I agree - That pic is very nice.

charlene · Jul 29, 2015

They all look great.
Sorry to be different, but I prefer photos where the person is not staring at the camera. I love black and white, but in this case, I like the third picture the best. It seems warm and comfortable.

Wordnut · Aug 7, 2015

Thanks, everyone! Much appreciated.

andiwrite · Oct 1, 2015

#1 is my favorite of those three.

I don't put much thought into author photos. I have a couple different ones that I'm currently using, but I'm sure I'll change them with every book. They are basically just snapshots I took of myself.

Arpeggio · Oct 14, 2015

I'd say the 3rd one on the right because you look like you are thinking internally of writing as your gaze could be looking non-specifically, plus your hand looks slightly arty / not the hand of a bricklayer, while not too effeminate. Also the colour and tones are good. In the 1st pic you look like you are thinking too but not so much in an internal way as you look slightly sideways at something.

noirdood · Dec 23, 2015

Which one of them (if any) is YOU? Personally, I like the middle one.

etherme · Jan 26, 2016

SBibb said:
Granted, I currently use a black and white author photo that may or may not actually look like me, due to the lighting.

Hee hee hee . . . I hear ya! (See photo below.)

davidjgalloway · Feb 2, 2016

Yes, #3 is the one for me. #1 is too staged, #2 is yearbook-y, but #3 has it. But I have a bias towards author photos that don't look directly at you.

Melanii · Feb 2, 2016

I can't give feedback, but... I thought I was the only one who thought of petty things like having a professional looking photo. XD

mccardey · Feb 2, 2016

#3 is a lovely shot.

Author Photos and branding

Wordnut

SBibb

veinglory

volitare nequeo

SBibb

lizmonster

Possibly A Mermaid Queen

CathleenT

I write

Laurasaurus

mirandashell

cmhbob

Did...did I do that?

ErezMA

Bolero

ElaineA

All about that action, boss.

Mclesh

It's too hot

Lavern08

Sit Down, and Shut Up!

charlene

Wordnut

andiwrite

Arpeggio

noirdood

etherme

Making my own luck

davidjgalloway

Opus is my guy.

Melanii

Talking Fruit

mccardey