Taking an author photo could be the mark of a dream come true if it’s for your debut novel’s book jacket, or it could be the start of your nervous entry into the writing community, where you need a profile picture to add to your social media accounts.

In both and all cases, an author photo is a must, and you can achieve one using the tips from this checklist.

Get the Equipment

You can, of course, go to a professional for your author photo, and if that’s in your budget and the option that makes you the most comfortable, go for it.

For a do-it-yourself option, you don’t need a studio. Make use of your backyard or a well-lit room in your house and snap away. What you’ll need…

A camera or a phone that can take decent photos.To find some color that’ll look great in the background.To use good lighting (get a ring light or go with natural light).Decide on Your Vision

Do you want a photo that represents your love of books? If so, what can you wear/pose with to demonstrate that? Do you just want a nice photo where you look like a more presentable version of the writer who sits at their desk all day in well-worn tracksuit pants?

Whether you’re happy with something eye-catching or just good enough, decide on the vision of the photo you want, and take steps to gather what you’ll need to achieve it.

Plot Your Poses

Here are some classic tips, and interesting pose suggestions to help inspire you.

Smile—either nicely, awkwardly, or like a serial killer—your choice!Pose with an animal—either yours or borrow the neighbor’s.Holding your book—there’s an awkward way to do it, and an even more awkward way, but you’ll figure it out.Go for a plain, timeless outfit, and color choices—remembering that power suits and neon orange are as out of fashion now as they were thirty years ago and still will be in thirty years’ time.Add in writing paraphernalia—you’ll finally get to break out the typewriters, ink pens, ornate unused notebooks, and the jar of rejection tears you’ve been hoarding.Sit or pose around your desk—make sure you look like you’re writing so everyone knows you’re a writer.Pose in front of a bookshelf—don’t forget to blur the books so it looks arty.Get out in nature—natural sunlight and colorful trees/flowers can provide pretty backgrounds, and you’ll get some of that fresh air and sunshine that people who work daylight hours at a writing desk are always talking about!

Once you have your author photo, add it to all the book covers, social media channels, guest posts, promo opportunities, and book swag you can!

— K.M. Allan

If you’re a fan of checklists, don’t forget to check out my Writing and Editing Checklists, and the free companion, Authoring Checklists, which features this checklist plus others covering everything from writing habits, handover notes, style sheets, series bibles, procrastination, staying motivated, writing query letters, blurbs, a synopsis, putting together an ARC, beta reader questions, sorting and handing bad feedback, dealing with rejections, branding, what to blog about, creating author bios, press packs, marketing essentials, book launch tips, and preparing for podcast interviews!

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