- Smile for the camera, your photo is gonna be everywhere
when you write and promote a book.
Here's how to get a good one.
(upbeat rock music)
Hi, I'm Julie Broad, award winning author
and founder of Book Launchers,
a fantastic company that will help write, publish,
and sell a nonfiction book that grows your business.
Let me be clear.
Your author photo isn't necessarily
for putting on the cover of your book.
If you are not famous or a recognizable celebrity,
there isn't really a good reason for putting your picture
on the cover of your book, no matter how gorgeous you look.
Your cover has one job and that is to sell your book.
Your face, this is right here, right?
Your face will only sell your book if people know,
like, and trust it already or are curious about it.
Although if your gorgeous, you may get people
to stop and look so there's that.
But really, how many of us can honestly say
we're stop traffic kind of good looking?
There's only so many Chris Pine's.
Seriously Chris Pine, I live in LA,
why haven't you come by to say hello?
Back to the photos. You don't need it for the cover
but you do need it for pretty much everything else.
Amazon author page, about the author page,
for inside your book, PR Kit, podcast or Speakers One Sheet,
Goodreads page, posters for your book signing.
The list is long so how do you get a good one?
Number one, hire a professional
and ask to get at least three different edited shots
with several changes of clothes and ideally,
a few different settings and backgrounds.
Some photographers will actually give you
all your digital images but allow you
to choose three to five to be edited.
That's what you want ideally
so you can get a consistent look for your brand and book
but have some choices to work with.
I'm sure that picture at your cousin's wedding was great
but cropping out your aunt's arm isn't an option
and seriously, you can tell a photo
that isn't done by a pro.
- What?
I'm a professional photographer.
I got my camera right here, smile.
(camera shutter clicks) (screaming)
- If you insist on doing it yourself,
make sure you've got great lighting and a good background.
Don't do it in the direct sun with your eyes squinting
or in your dark living room.
This is gonna be a phito, phito, (laughs) phito!
This is going to be a photo that's going to be around
for a while and you're gonna see it
a lot so it's worth investing in a good one.
Number two, make sure you can get it resized easily
or even just get the photographer
to send you different sizes.
For example, your Goodreads author profile
is going to be 400 by 400 pixels, so a square.
Many social media accounts will require
a close cropped square of your face
but there may be things like a poster
or other book related promotional materials
where a different size and resolution is required.
So make sure you get a variety.
Number three, find your best side.
I tweak my neck so I can't actually do this.
(laughs)
Usually a pro will have you experiment
with different types of smiles, different angles,
you know, a little head tilt.
A somber face or a smirk or a full smile.
We're in digital now so you can do
a whole bunch of looks and find a good one.
I find it easier to be natural
when my husband or a friend is in the room
talking to me or telling me jokes.
- What? - That way, I can loosen up
and take more natural photos.
Number four, consider your background.
Busy backgrounds or action shots
won't work for the small profile shots.
I like to have a few choices of backgrounds
but I do find that your standard photography studios
have decent choices and white or black
isn't bad to have on hand either.
But if you're a realtor, don't do this one.
I'm not gonna name names but there's
a realtor in Nanaimo that does this.
Number five, dress the part.
Solid colors tend to be best, patterns can be tough.
But most importantly, find an outfit and a look
that matches you and the brand you're building.
Keep in mind your background through.
If you want a black background, don't wear black.
Same thing for white, you get the drill.
It's also why I like to plan for a few
changes of clothes when I do a shoot.
Now ladies, the bigger question for you
might be whether you wanna get your hair and makeup done.
I don't do it personally because I wanna look like me
when I do a photo shoot so you're not too disappointed
when you meet me in person (laughs).
As it is, the photographer's going to touch up the image
to make you the best version possible.
And the reality is that if you meet me anywhere
but coming out of the photo shoot,
my hair will be far from perfect
and I'm not gonna have a ton of makeup on.
So I don't do the pro makeup and hair
but I love it when my photographer has someone
who will powder my face so I don't look greasy
and do the fly away hair control on the spot.
So just think about that in advance.
If you like this video, hit the thumbs up button
and subscribe so we can hang out again soon.
If I missed a tip for getting a great author shot,
let us know below.
See you on the next video.
(upbeat rock music)
- Smile.