HEADSHOTS

WHY DO I NEED PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS?

If you want to be a professional author, you need to look professional. First impressions are important. That doesn’t mean you have to be dressed in a business suit, but it does mean you need professional quality headshots.

While cell phones do take great pictures these days, professional photographers can employ their knowledge of lighting, camera angles, aperture, shutter speed, and composition, in order to make you look your best.

WHERE CAN I USE MY HEADSHOTS?

Anywhere you want! You can use your author headshots on your website, on business cards, in a cover letter or one-sheet, and of course, in your book. You can even get custom mugs and tee-shirts.  🙂

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR MY HEADSHOTS?

You want your clothing to coordinate with your brand. (And I’m not just talking about the colors on your website). Do you write books for business executives? Then maybe you want to wear a suit and tie, or a nice jacket. Do you write for young moms?  Maybe you want to wear something a little more casual, like nice jeans and a cute top. You want your headshots to be friendly and inviting.

Your headshots do not need to match the colors of your book cover, but they should complement the colors on your website, if you have one. (Don’t have a website? I can build one for you!)

Simple, neutral colors and patterns work best, but you can layer your outfit with a jacket, cardigan, or scarf to add interest.

Most of the pictures will be from the waist up, but you should still make sure your entire outfit is presentable, including shoes.

If you’re a woman, be sure to put makeup on, even if you don’t typically wear makeup. The extra makeup will help to accentuate your facial features.

WHAT SHOULD I AVOID?

• Don’t wear dirty or wrinkled clothing.
• Don’t wear clothing with words, pictures, or logos.
• Don’t wear neon colors.
• Don’t wear athletic attire (including shoes… although cute sneakers for women are okay, if that’s your style).
• Avoid big, flashy patterns that could be distracting.
• Avoid clothing with small stripes… the stripes will be distorted in the final image.
• Avoid wearing green. Since your headshots will be taken outdoors, they will likely have a greenish background. That’s just a lot of green. 🙂

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW MUCH DO HEADSHOTS COST AT THE CONFERENCE? 

The price for one 15 minute headshot session is $150.

WHEN IS MY PAYMENT DUE? 

Your payment is due at the time of booking.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY SESSION?

You will receive 5-7 professionally edited headshots (digital files) that you can use for your website, your business cards, or your book.

CAN YOU EDIT OUT BLEMISHES? 

I can edit out minor skin blemishes. But I cannot fix sunburn.

CAN YOU MAKE ME LOOK YOUNGER OR THINNER? 

I will use camera angles and poses that are flattering to your body type. However, I cannot make changes to your age or body type in post-editing.

HOW LONG IS MY SESSION? 

Your headshot session will take about 15-20 minutes.  Please arrive promptly.

WHERE WILL THE SESSIONS TAKE PLACE? 

The sessions will take place OUTDOORS, on the campus of Wheaton College.  Exact location to be determined. Laurie will communicate exact locations once you arrive at the conference.

CAN I ORDER PRINTS OF MY IMAGES? 

You are welcome to take your digital files and get them printed wherever you would like. Laurie Christine will not be fullfilling print orders.

HOW SOON WILL I RECEIVE MY DIGITAL IMAGES? 

You should receive your images around mid-July.

WHAT IF I NEED TO RE-SCHEDULE MY SESSION?

You can reschedule your session at THIS LINK, up to the first day of the conference.

If you need to reschedule after the conference has started, use the above link, but also reach out to Laurie and let her know you have chosen a different time slot.  (You will recieve an email with Laurie’s contact information once you have signed up for headshots).

CAN I GET A REFUND? 

If you are unable to attend the conference due to an illness or family emergency, I can give you a refund for your headshots.

If you cancel BEFORE JUNE 1, 2023, I can give you a FULL refund, MINUS a 10% processing fee.

If you cancel AFTER JUNE 1st, 2023, but BEFORE June 13th, 2023, you will recieve a 50% refund.

If you cancel on June 13th or later, I am NOT ABLE to give you a refund, but I CAN try to reschedule you for another time slot during the conference week.

NO REFUNDS will be given once your session has taken place.

(You must contact Laurie Christine directly about refunds.)

WHAT IF IT RAINS?

In the case of inclement weather, we will do our best to find an alternate, indoor location for your headshot session. Laurie will contact you with last minute changes. If there are still open slots available, you’re welcome to change your session to a different date / time.

SAMPLE HEADSHOTS BY LAURIE CHRISTINE