By the title of this post, it might look like I’m about to dole out wisdom-laden advice for taking the perfect author photo.
Um. No.
This would be what’s called a bait and switch, folks. Here’s the thing: I have to get new photos taken this week. How I dread this, let me count the ways. Don’t get me wrong. The photographer who will be taking the photos is wonderful. He did my senior photos back in the day and as I recall, made the whole experience casual and even fun.
What I dread? The results.
I am not a photogenic person! Honestly, if you see a halfway decent photo of me anywhere online, it’s probably because it was the one out of 150 that didn’t make me want to get a face transplant.
Okay, I’m not quite that drastic or so narcissistic that I sit around studying photos of myself. Promise. But I did wonder if anyone might have any advice for me…? Secret tricks for looking snazzy? If so, I’ll take ’em.
At the end of the day, though, I guess I can always count it a blessing that it seriously can’t get worse than some author pics from days gone by. Like:
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Henry David Thoreau What’s up with the hair buddy? |
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The Bronte Sisters Love their books but not their angry looks. Anne (left) looks especially vicious. |
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Shakespeare Don’t know what I’m going to wear for my photos, but I’m pretty sure it won’t include an oversized doily around my neck. |
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Margaret Mitchell The author of Gone with the Wind has a lot of great headshots, but this one? I think I’d probably opt for the bard’s doily before posing with a cat. |
Okay, folks, any photo advice for me?
Comments 47
You have a beautiful smile, Melissa…use it! Have fun at your photo shoot!
Thank you, Loree. I will attempt to have fun. Haha!
I love your current blog pic and FB pic–just be yourself, beautiful inside and out!
Thanks, Sandra! I wish I could just use the photos I already have…but I need higher-res. 🙂 So, I must submit to the photo pain. Haha!
I love your photos. Just use the one with you eating the big cookie and photo shop me and Linds out of it! It’s a genuine smile, granted the cookie is most of your mouth but it seems fitting. You. 🙂 lol
You’ll have a great time. Remember, your word is Embrace.
Ahhh, yes, that would be awesome. I love that photo…and how fun and natural it was hanging out with you, Jill, Cindy and Linz when we’d just met in person. Such a fun group! Or, hey, if nothing else, I could just ask the photographer to dangle a chocolate chip cookie in front of me to coax a smile!
Hey, I was just honored to be hanging out in a room full of agented authors. 😉 And those cookies were delicioso!
You are too photogenic! Look at the Beautiful face smiling on your blog!!!!
Be yourself and have fun….they will turn out AWESOME!
Oh thank you, Sherrinda. It’s a lucky day when my smile looks okay in photos. 🙂 But thank you for building my confidence! 🙂
You can do hats, Melissa — but yeah, skip the cat.
And do what I did: Grab some of your best-of-best friends and bring them along to keep you laughing. It made my recent pro photo shoot an amazingly fun time!
Oh yes, I can guarantee I’ll be skipping the cat.
What a good idea–bringing friends along! If only this whole blogging world of friends could come along!
Photo shoot or root canal? Oh, the choices. I hate ’em too. I had a famous author tell me once when we were being snapped at a Christmas party: lift your chin, stick your tongue in the roof of your mouth and smile. She always takes a great picture. Mine were pretty good too that day…don’t know if it’s because I tried her advice or kept cracking up at the thought of doing it.
Haha, I’ve never had a root canal…my goal is to get through all of life without one. 🙂 I’ve heard of the “lift your chin” tip, but never stick your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Maybe I’ll practice in front of the mirror. 🙂
Oh my goodness, that Thoreau picture is ah-mazing! Bahahaha. Thanks for the laugh this morning.
Friend, you are gorgeous and your pics will be awesome! If you are getting nervous, just think about WHY you’re getting pictures done…because you’ve got a book coming out this fall!!! I mean, if that isn’t something to genuinely smile over, well, you’ve got me stumped. 🙂
Thank you, Linz. You’re sweet. And you know what, you’re right…if I keep thinking about why I’m getting the photos taken, there should be no lack of smile!
I loved the Thoreau photo too…that hair… 🙂
Wiggle your ears! I was watching Tyra once, and she said the secret to whether you can be a model or not is if you can wiggle your ears, because you want to pull your ears back, which in turn tightens your face and makes it pop (yes, I just said that). I can wiggle my ears slightly, and so I’ve been using this tactic ever since, and it really does make a difference. I take way fewer gross photos these days.
Oh nooo, I can’t wiggle my ears. Oh how I’ve tried through the years. Really! Maybe I can learn how in the next couple days. If not, well, then I guess I wasn’t meant to be a model. Hehehe…but thanks for the tip, oh awesome agent!
I’d go with a doily that has a cat print on it, those are all the rave these days!
Best. Advice. Ever!
HA! Pictures are painful, aren’t they? But you’ve got those great eyes and a great smile, it’ll be a breeze! Have fun with it, remember what it’s for–you’re a PUBLISHED author! You’re seeing a chunk of your dream coming true, so think on what God’s doing with you right now and SMILE:)
Oh, thank you! And yeah, the dream-come-true part of this all should have me smiling hugely! 🙂
I love when I stop by Tagglines! I laughed out loud today. Love the Shakespeare comments. 🙂 My advice: don’t wear the doily!
Seriously, the photographer will help you and pose you in the perfect position. What you can do is be confident in yourself and it will shine through your photo. Remember this is a picture for your PUBLISHED book!! Let all the naysaying in your mind go and just shine. Besides, I’ve NEVER seen a bad photo of you. You’re so pretty and I’ve always thought that. Have fun!!
Okay, I will for sure skip the doily. 🙂
You know what, you’re right–the photographer knows what he’s doing. Thank you for the nice words too. Just remember, you’ve never seen a bad photo of me because I hide all those. Haaa! But seriously, thank you for the encouragement. 🙂
The cat one makes me wish I’d posed with my dog. 😉
I cringe when I get my picture taken. Most pictures show for it. I think you should cradle a stuffed unicorn. Keep things interesting.
~ Wendy
Yes!!! And I can borrow my little cousin’s stuffed unicorn!!
Melissa, you’re going to be beautiful because you’ll reflect what draws folks to you in the first place–the love of Jesus! 🙂
Wear your fave power color and think of something really funny when it’s time to say “Cheese!”
Thank you, Cindy, that’s so true…when we’ve got Jesus radiating in our lives, it does show, doesn’t it?
You are too photogenic! Every picture (even the casual ones from ACFW) are gorgeous. With your awesome hair? Yeah, the pictures are going to be great. Find a fun outfit you feel great in and the have FUN with it! Let the photographer have fun and you’ll get some great pics. 🙂
Casey, you are such a sweetheart. Thank you so much! I think I’m going to do a little shopping for a fun outfit tonight…any excuse for a new cute shirt, I’ll take. 🙂
Oh, Melissa, your beautiful smile simply RADIATES! Relax and enjoy this experience!
Thank you, Donna…yes, relax. That’s what I need to do.
You’ll be great, Melissa! And, you do have a lovely smile. 🙂 Looking forward to the end result.
Thanks, Rissi! Hopefully a couple of them will turn out good enough for me to be willing to share. Haha!
Oh, pshaw! You will be FINE! Just relax – that’s what makes the best pictures!
Relax, yes! I loved you “pshaw.” You know, I didn’t write today’s post in order to fish for flattery, but the encouragement has been a confidence boost. I just might through the whole thing without breaking into a) tears or b) nervous giggles. 🙂
They will be gorgeous!
Thanks, Julie!
WOW! LOL! I’m feeling better already looking at these older author photos. At least you don’t have to wear the doily like collar.
I know, right?! Or have a cat in the photo! I apologize to all cat-lovers, but seriously, really, Margaret Mitchell?!
You have a gorgeous smile, Melissa. I’m sure they’ll be beautiful.
I hate having pictures taken. The only piece of advice I know to give would be–don’t let your brother do the portrait…a mistake the Bronte girls evidently learned too late. Their dear brother Branwell painted their portraits and then conveniently painted himself out…bwaaahaha sisters. 😉
Thank you, Anne. I had no idea that was the story behind the Bronte portrait! That’s hilarious!!
Your kidding right? Just smile like you normally do. Think of something that made you smile —
and then do it.
I look forward to seeing them.
I’m laughing at the Bronte sisters — my brother takes my pictures LOL.
Alena T.
Something that made me smile…maybe when you brought me coffee at ACFW or encouraged and prayed for me before I had to speak… 🙂
Ya know, I find Thoreau rather attractive, and there’s a unicorn in my kitchen talking to me right now.
Have FUN!!
HA! Any comment with a unicorn makes me very happy.
Have you tried the lip trick. You rub your teeth dry and then let you top lip get stuck in the goofy, toothy grin position. Oh wait… you’re probably going for a more sophisticated shot. So scratch that and go with sparkly pink lip gloss. Works for me! 😉 -raj
Haha, okay, pink lip gloss it is. As for sophisticated, though…I don’t know if I can pull it off! Ha!