Last week, I partook in a photographic expedition with my best friend Rhiannon Barlow and my darling mother Linda Schneidereit. Our goal: to take a picture of me that looked more or less viewable by other human beings. The result: success! We think. You can be the judge.
We packed into mom’s car and drove onto the University of Western Ontario campus (where I went to school). Since parking is expensive, mom drove the car around, and whenever Rhia or I spotted a nice photo op location, we jumped out of the car, snapped a pic, then raced back to the car before we were pulled over for impeding traffic. I’m making it sound way more exciting than it was – there was literally no traffic on the roads.
Anyway, here are my top picks for which picture will serve as my Author Photo on the back of my soon-to-be-published début novel Imminent Danger and How to Fly Straight into It. I’ll reveal them in order of ranking, with the bottom-most picture being the one I intend to go with. I’m submitting my “Submission package” (fitting name!) tomorrow, so any opinions you have on which pic to use should be opinioned by like 9 am tomorrow. That would be Eastern time, unless you’re a time traveller, in which case yesterday will be fine.
So, in third place … (drum roll please) …
Just kidding, there’s no way I’m using that one. I look like I’m about to kill someone.
In second place …
I really like that one. However, I’ve been told that I look too much like a super model (it was my mother who said that, which explains a lot), which apparently isn’t approachable? As in, you want your author to be someone you can relate to, not someone whose picture says, “I’m so pretty, look at me throw my hair back and sip martinis on a jet plane”.
And in first place …
So? Thoughts? Which one should I go with? My minions are opting for the last one (aka my #1 choice), but I’d love to hear your opinions. Alright, comments! Go!
Michelle Proulx - Author 
I love both the second and the last one! Either of those would look great. 🙂
Thanks! I’ll probably go with the last one – that’s the way most people seem to be leaning.
They are all lovely! To be honest, I see little difference between the two actual pictures, as the smile is very similar in both. You can’t go wrong with either one! Although, put a gun to my head, the last one is maybe a touch better.
Also, free parking at Springett on Sundays (the entire weekend, for that matter). FYI.
I don’t know what Springett is. It sounds like a type of bouncy dog.
It’s the large parking lot across Western Rd. from the Eng building. The big one near Alumni Hall.
The last one I reckon!
That’s the one I went with! It is officially going on the back cover of my book!
Cool! Glad you managed to pick one! None of my books have a picture. Lol, nobody wants to see my ugly mug…
You could take a picture of your favourite coffee mug and use that instead.
Hmmm, could do! Thanks!
Awww…looking at your pic above, you’re not that bad. My dog agrees – he licks the screen when your Gravatar appears. And he’s a good judge of character!!!
2 and 3 are both fine. 2 is ‘kinder’ – softer focus; 3 a bit too close and ‘sharp’ for a portrait (this is my keen photographer side speaking!). By the way, re our earlier ‘conversation’ on why two websites, have you seen Cristian Mihai’s latest post: http://cristianmihai.net/2012/07/11/about-author-websites/. Some good advice. grumpytyke.
I get what you mean. I think I might send both the pics in, and let the professionals decide which to use. And yes, I saw Cristian’s post. He’s got some great advice! I don’t really know what I want to do with my website yet, but I definitely like the newsletter idea. I think I’ll work more intensively on the website once I get closer to actually publishing the book 🙂
You look gorgeous in any picture m’dear, but the last one would be my choice! 🙂
I would choose the third picture purely because of the background and light levels. The wooden panelling in pic 2 serves to distract the eye from your smile whilst the masonary in pic 3 is less distinct, throwing you into sharper relief.
Hope this helps.
Yeah, that’s great! Thanks for the input 😀
I got to this a little late, but I thought I should give my input anyway. I like your favorite best, as I see most of the voters here do. You look very approachable, and very pretty. 🙂
Aww thanks 🙂
You’re welcome! 😀
Sadly, I seem to have been late at giving my input..oh well. You should have gone with the first one, nothing says ‘author’ like sitting in a car looking like you’re going to kill anyone who doesn’t read your book. Just kidding, I think. 😛
Honestly, either of the last two would work great and I’m glad to see that you’re one step closer to giving your book to the masses.
You know, I was really rooting for the first picture as well. But certain people *cough*mymother*cough* impressed on me the wisdom of not looking like a serial killer. Honestly.
I, personally, think the last one is the best. The stone background really brings out your features, where the one above it kind of washes them away with the wood.
Congrats and good luck! 😀
Thanks!
I like the last one the best. It looks the most natural and relatable and the lighting is nice and cheery.
#2!
I guess I’m a little *cough* late, but I think the last one is very nice. The focus is more on your face than in the second one. You have a lovely smile!
Thanks 🙂 And as it turns out, I’m going with the second one, so good choice!