my newest headshot.

Today everyone loves to take selfies. Friends and family take our pictures with their cellphones. Some are dreamy while others are just horrid. These are not the pictures you want to offer as a headshot when publishers ask for them.

Why not wait until a publisher asks before getting one taken?

If you are serious about your writing career that would be a mistake.

Professional headshots are needed for websites, blogs, business cards, sell sheets, marketing pieces, social media, back cover copy, bookmarks, article and column copy, and publisher author pages. As you can see a nice photo is essential.

Steps to take to get a nice shot

Women need to get their hair styled, their brows done and make-up. For my latest headshot, I had my make-up done at a salon and she did a far better job than I would have done giving myself a natural look.

Men get your hair styled as well and it’s even recommended to get make-up because it evens out the irregular places on your face.

Both sexes should choose colors that complement their skin tone and bring a sparkle to their eyes. Business casual works well but something more casual if it fits your genre, and a persona you wish to project for that genre. A few fantasy and thriller authors wear their hair and chose clothes that match their genre. It’s not a rule, so do what you’re comfortable doing.

I prefer an inside setting over outside because the wind inevitably messes it up.

Photographer

Choose a photographer that gives you all the rights to your photos. Otherwise, there are copyright issues if you use the image for your marketing or make multiple copies without their permission.

I get them touched up. This means pieces of stray hair, lines in the face or in my last photos remove a brooch. The best headshot had the brooch on my top listing to the side. Not every photographer does headshots be sure to get recommendations. And these pros will pose you so you look your best.

Update your headshot

Every few years it’s a good idea to update your headshot. Hairstyles change, men might grow or shave a beard. And we all grow older.

I was at a book signing two years ago and I was growing out the gray in my hair. My daughter was standing next to me and they asked if she was the author.  This year I purposed to update it.

Be a professional

If you take your writing career or your almost an author phase seriously take the time and spend the money to get that professional pic made. You won’t regret it.

Next Tuesday I’ll talk about the do’s and don’t’s of business cards.