Yesterday, I paid a friend to shoot me. Fortunately, he used a camera.
Okay, so my photographer isn’t just a random friend. He happens to be Jaren Wilkey, the 2011 Photographer of the Year for the University Photographers’ Association of America. (Just in the 2011 UPAA print competition, six of his photos also won prizes/honorable mentions including two 1st place finishes.) I’ve seen him take lots of pictures before—and had him take some great pictures of my family—but after working with him yesterday, let me tell you, the man knows his stuff. I mean, just check me out (and these are just straight from the camera):
(okay, I photoshopped fixed my hair a little in this ^ one)
These are three of the just under 500 photos we shot in 90 minutes. I am now armed with reaction shots for any possible blog topic. For example, murderous rage:
I will say this a thousand times: if you have the money or the contacts, get a professional to shoot your author photos. (And the same thing goes a million times for your wedding photos. Still grumbling about mine.) There is no substitute for someone who understands how to really work a camera and use lighting and backgrounds and poses to make you look your best.
In case you’re wondering, taking your author photos is pretty cool and can be a lot of fun, but no, it doesn’t make you feel like the real deal (yet).
Any faves here? How do you want to do your author photos?
In case you missed it, photos by Jaren Wilkey
Love your pictures! Especially the murderous rage. LOL! =)
Pretty pretty!
Great pictures. I really like the second one.
I like the 3rd one best, but they all look great.
First one all the way of course!
I’m lucky that one of my closest friends is a professional photographer. She did my headshots for my book and did a fabulous job. It was also nice having the comfort of being with a best friend when you are posing for picture after picture of nothing but, um, yourself. Yours are beautiful!
I like the second one best. Gorgeous. 🙂
I liked the third the best, but then thought for YA I’d choose the first and for women’s fiction I’d choose the second! Very nice!
I love them all!!!
Great photos – I think my fave is the angry one. haha just kidding. My dad is a photographer but I’ve never made good use of him for my author/musician pictures. Maybe someday…!
The rage one made me smile. I like the first one best. But they’re all great.