Cheese!
Oct 16th 2007
Suzanne EnochOn Writing!
A couple of weeks ago I told everyone about my experience getting new head shots for my books. The reason for my needing new author photos was my agent (although she now denies this) telling me that I look too “friendly” in my current photo. So I set out to capture the following look: “like a have a secret that a reader can only discover by reading one of my books”.
Thanks to my intrepid photographer, Dina Marie, I think I succeeded fairly well. But I shall leave it up to you, my fellow goddesses, to have the final word.
These are my personal favorites.
Which do you like best? For a historical romance? For a romantic suspense? Or should I hire Angelina Jolie to be me?
69 Comments »
69 Responses to “Cheese!”
Mary Evans on 17 Oct 2007 at 12:18 am #
Well, actually, Suzanne, I like them all. But I like your current picture the best.
Mary
pri.r. on 17 Oct 2007 at 1:42 am #
hmm looking lovely suzanne…but i’m tossing between the last one and the first one…
Marie on 17 Oct 2007 at 2:37 am #
The last one. The first one scares me.
twolilhahas on 17 Oct 2007 at 5:00 am #
I like #4 with your arm slung over the couch. It looks welcoming and smart.
I like the one with the light backdrop, too…just not as a book photo. It would be great hung up framed or something.
PJ on 17 Oct 2007 at 5:20 am #
They are all good photos but I like #4 best. Btw, you look fabulous in red!
FreshEChelle on 17 Oct 2007 at 6:34 am #
I agree with Twolilhahas and PJ, #4 is great. The red was a great choice. #1 is very good too. You look great.
Maggie Robinson on 17 Oct 2007 at 6:45 am #
Wow! Gorgeousness on display. I like the end one on the right. You look like you have a delicious secret.
Ellen Scavullo on 17 Oct 2007 at 6:48 am #
First of all, I always liked your current picture. I thought you looked unpretentious and friendly…someone I could be friends with. However, now that I see the new shots, I agree that it’s time to show another side of you.
I always loved the story of Marilyn Monroe dressing for special events. She would quickly look in the mirror and determine what caught her eye first…then she would take that article off. She understood that her whole package was more important then some piece of jewelry.
Having said that, any of these four pictures is beautiful and we’d all be happy to look so pretty in a photo…but let’s get down to business.
Photo One: The first thing I noticed was the neckline of your sweater. By the way, nice girls, Suzanne! Your face is lovely in this photo, but not the first thing I looked at.
Photo Two: The position of your arm is what caught my eye. You look posed. It’s strange to say this, considering we have never met, but this photo looks the least like you.
Photo Three: Lovely photograph, however the actual lighting and picture are more attention grabbing than you are.
Photo Four: We have a winner. The white couch, white window and beautifully positioned arm all point to one thing; your lovely face. You look intelligent, sexy, fun and mysterious all at once. I think you could use this photo for any type of writing. The composition is perfect and you look lovely.
Ellen Scavullo on 17 Oct 2007 at 6:50 am #
Besides…when I look at Angelina Jolie, the first thing I notice is that her lower lip looks like a baby’s ass.
Karen Hawkins on 17 Oct 2007 at 7:10 am #
Number Four! Number Four! Number Four! You just have the most fun expression — and it really reflects your personality.
Wow, Suzanne, those are really awesome! Tell your agent she’s a genius!
Kay on 17 Oct 2007 at 7:32 am #
Wow, so many great choices.
Number one is my favorite. I think you look intelligent and sophisticated.
I agree with Ellen on the second; the contrast between the beautiful red sweater and your arm is a little much. In art, red and white both pull you eye towards them. That makes it a difficult picture to look at for very long, and your arm is distracting the eye from your face. I love the pose, though. With a longer sleeve, it would be great.
I think three has too much light. I don’t know if that can be fixed. It would be my second choice if you can darken the background. The composition is good, and with both arms in the picture, it looks more balanced than picture two.
The fourth one looks very relaxed. This might be better for contemporary titles. My objection to two doesn’t stand for this one. Your arm transitions into the couch and does not stand out. It would not work as well on a dark couch.
smlt76 on 17 Oct 2007 at 7:35 am #
Love #4!
Gannon on 17 Oct 2007 at 7:47 am #
Suzanne, you look mahhvelous!! Red is definitely your color. I vote for #4!
KariE on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:04 am #
#4 You look so comfy, relaxed and confident. I love it.
AndreaW on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:08 am #
I like them all as well, but definitely #4 the best!
SuzyQ on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:13 am #
Suzanne, the pictures came out great! It was a toss up between 1 & 2 but 2 won out. I think what throws me off on 1 is the fact that your sweater has more focus than your hair. It’s just a depth of field issue. I know, I know, your face is in total focus but it’s the sweater that throws me off.
Number 3 has too much backlight and although I really like how you look in number 4 (and your smile is great), something about the window bothers me. If it wasn’t for that, I would have picked number 4.
cail on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:18 am #
ooo, this is totally my forte! i used to look at headshots all the time at work. granted, you’re not trying to get an acting job here, but… here goes.
I’m choosing #4.
Why? because its the one that made me come by and look again. Plus, upon furthur inspection you have this great ‘come hither’ look that would totally make me grab your book off the shelf.
looks i’m not alone in my opinion on that being the best of a great bunch of pictures!
doglady on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:23 am #
Suzanne, you look MAHVELOUS!!!! Red is absolutely your color! All of these shots are gorgeous. Very sophisticated and alluring. #4 gets my vote as well. You look as if you have this delicious secret, but you MIGHT be persuaded to share that secret with a few select friends. They really are lovely!
elsiehogarth on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:25 am #
Suzanne, I like them all but I like the first of the right. I see a very mischievious look in your eyes. It reminds me of the Beatles song:”Do You Want to Know a Secret”.
Cookiedough on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:29 am #
Suzanne, I like #4 the best. You are relaxed and it feels like you are all set to have coffee and gab the day away with a pal.
Or, can be taken as a “come here to me ht stuff and lets bowchicka bow wow”
Julia London on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:34 am #
I like them all, but I agree–4 is the best. Its inviting and very professional at hte same time.
Would your photographer come to Texas???
Freshechelle on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:44 am #
Suzanne, hope you liked #4 best since that seems like what many of us think. Number 4 is a picture of an author who’s work I want to read. Number 2 and #3 have the look of a novice author pose; #4 is an author whose work I’d like to read. The objective was to find a picture that will help sell more books and I think you’ve hit it with #4. Cha-ching.
Ronlyn on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:56 am #
Beautiful photos!!! I can’t pick just one.
Keri Ford on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:59 am #
I’m going numba 4.
BUT can we photoshop in a little darkness on your hair? Photographer should be able to. The harsh brightness is washing you out a bit. The back of the couch draws the eye straight to your face and I think that’s what makes this photograph really work. And I love your expression!
Sherri Erwin on 17 Oct 2007 at 9:19 am #
Number four! They’re all good, but in Four, there’s a confidence and a sassy, sexy, inviting expression. You look great! Yay for you! I need new pictures. I am dreading the process.
Nicole Jordan on 17 Oct 2007 at 9:36 am #
Wonderful lovely photos, Suzanne! The “I have a secret” really works to lure the viewer in.
And while I love them all, I think #4 is my fave.
Darla on 17 Oct 2007 at 9:52 am #
For me #1 has the look of a sexy confident woman, with just a bit of sassy.
#2 is I’ve got a secret or maybe not, you have to find out look.
#3 is a no for me, seems too washed out, and don’t like the pose
#4 I’d like better as more of a head and shoulders shot
My favs are 1 & 2.
Suzanne Enoch on 17 Oct 2007 at 10:18 am #
Marie, the first one scares you? LOL. I think that’s the one where we did the most retouching.
So those of you who prefer #4, does that work for both a contemporary and a historical? Should I have two different pics? What do you think?
Karen H in NC on 17 Oct 2007 at 10:37 am #
They are all great, but I think I agree with Darla when she say “#2 I’ve got a secret or maybe not, you have to find out” …that says it all, IMO. And I think #2 would work for either historical or contemporary.
Sabrina Jeffries on 17 Oct 2007 at 10:45 am #
See, I like them all (except 3–don’t like the heavy lighting thing going on), but I like 1 best. Or 4. What I think, however, is you should have one picture for the contemp suspense (#1) and one for the historicals (#4). IMO, suspense authors SHOULD look a little mysterious and inaccessible. I know your books aren’t really suspense, but they do have the mystery/caper element, so I think that works with photo #1. Then use the more accessible looking #4 for your historicals.
Of course, I am TERRIBLE at these things, so feel free to ignore my opinion completely.
ct009ct on 17 Oct 2007 at 10:45 am #
#4
claudia dain on 17 Oct 2007 at 10:53 am #
Number 4, for everything. This is the photo that should be propped up on your coffin in the distant future. People will file by and say, “The world can’t live without such beauty. Whatever will we do now?”
Four, four, four, four.
And in case you forgot, four.
krystal on 17 Oct 2007 at 11:20 am #
I like number 4 the best. I think that you look really friendly and approachable. I know that it really bothers me when I look at the author’s photo and I see someone who is kind of scary looking. I think “THAT’S who wrote this wonderful book? She’s kind of scary looking. ” When I see these pictures, I see someone that I could be friends with and it makes me want to read more.
Lisa H on 17 Oct 2007 at 11:38 am #
Hi Suzanne,
I liked #2 and #4 but it seems #4 is a bit nicer.
I too like your current picture!
Angelina looks like she is starving to death, whenever I see her all I can think of is “Somebody please throw that chic a pizza!”
You look fabulous in red, that was a great choice.
Kathryn Smith on 17 Oct 2007 at 11:41 am #
Suzie! They’re all lovely, but I’m in the #4 camp as well. It’s sassy enough for the contemporaries and warm enough for historical. And you do look fabulous in red, dahlink.
PJ on 17 Oct 2007 at 11:44 am #
For me, number four works for everything. If you published under two different names I’d say use two different photos but that’s not the case. Numbers two and three are totally out of the running for me. When I look at number one I zoom right past your lovely face and focus on a sweater neckline that I want to straighten. Yes, I know it’s weird but that’s what draws my eye.
Love, love, love number FOUR.
Julia London on 17 Oct 2007 at 11:54 am #
I think # 4 says you are a kick-ass professional and successful author, no matter what you are writing. In fact, I am going to photoshop my face onto that one and use it in my books.
You don’t mind, do you?
colinfirthfan on 17 Oct 2007 at 12:02 pm #
I like #4 the best. I liked #1 as well but 4 is better.
I think it works for everything. Why does an author have to look different for a historical and a contemp?
Santa on 17 Oct 2007 at 12:06 pm #
#1 - for romantic suspense
#2 - for historical romance or maybe #4
Send #3 with your Christmas cards! You look marvelous in all of them. Red is a great color for you!
Cookiedough on 17 Oct 2007 at 12:17 pm #
you are lucky to look good in red! I love the colour, but it doesn’t like me!
Suzanne Enoch on 17 Oct 2007 at 12:48 pm #
Thanks, guys! You should have seen my sisters and me at the Dress Barn, trying different tops on me. The red won, after we laughed at blue and threw up at yellow.
And Julia London, I’d pay a quarter to see that picture. *g*
dbrown3400 on 17 Oct 2007 at 1:36 pm #
Suzanne, although they are all good, I’ll go with the majority and vote for #4. Santa’s idea about using #1 for romantic suspense is good.
Ann in IL on 17 Oct 2007 at 1:42 pm #
Number 4 - perfect
Crystal on 17 Oct 2007 at 2:20 pm #
Tough choice, but I like #2. It looks like you were just pulled out of a daydream and that lingering smile says it was a really nice daydream. (historical)
#4 is nice too. It definitely says, “I know something that you don’t.” (suspense)
And I am one of the few that finds Angelina totally unattractive.
claudia dain on 17 Oct 2007 at 2:55 pm #
Crystal, please add me to your list of people who finds Angelina completely unattractive. I love knowing that I’m not alone in this!
Suzanne Enoch on 17 Oct 2007 at 3:18 pm #
There’s a rumor that my editor has been cheering because she also favors photo #4.
Judy F on 17 Oct 2007 at 3:44 pm #
I am with the group on #4
Ellen Scavullo on 17 Oct 2007 at 3:51 pm #
Julia…I will buy your first drink at the next RWA conference if you do your next few blogs pasted to Suzanne’s pics.
Suzanne, This is a no brainer. Number 4
colinfirthfan on 17 Oct 2007 at 4:11 pm #
OK, you can add me to the list too. I don’t find her completely unattractive but I don’t think she is that gorgeous either. Maybe its coz everyone likes her pouty lips? I don’t get it. Also I remember I saw her in some movie as a blonde - didn’t work at all.
I also don’t think Uma Thurman is fab looking.
Out of all the recent celeb babies - I think Suri Cruise is the cutest!
Suzanne, I already voted for 4. I thought you looked a little bored in 3.
Maybe you shld set up a poll as well.
lisa on 17 Oct 2007 at 4:25 pm #
I like the idea of #1 for contemporary and #4 for historicals. Nice shots!
Emmiebee on 17 Oct 2007 at 4:36 pm #
Suzanne, one more vote for #4. I love the way your eyes twinkle, and you have that “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” kind of vibe going on! Maybe #1 for historicals, but I am one who always appreciates sass in my authors, no matter what they write. And really- buy lots of red. A red halter dress on you- look out!
-Emmiebee
jessie on 17 Oct 2007 at 5:57 pm #
I love numbers 1 and 4! Number one was my hands down favorite, but since everyone seems to like number 4 so much, I’ve reconsidered, and I think it would be best because it would work for all types of subgenres. Number one is too coy, I think, not as accessible.
Karen Hawkins on 17 Oct 2007 at 6:09 pm #
Can I vote twice? #4! #4! #4!!!!
Aspen on 17 Oct 2007 at 6:33 pm #
Beautiful Pics!
I love pic # 2! Just because…
Karen on 17 Oct 2007 at 6:38 pm #
The first one! I enlarged the pix and the eyes said ‘I have a secret’ and the mouth said ‘and you are really gonna like it’ which is really perfect for your Sam and Rick books. I also like the fourth one also.
Cookiedough on 17 Oct 2007 at 7:02 pm #
I went back and enlarged all of them and my vote is still
4444444!
Kelly Ann on 17 Oct 2007 at 7:07 pm #
I love all of them, but I would use #3 for romantic suspense and #4 for historical romance! You DON’T need Angelina!
Julia London on 17 Oct 2007 at 7:20 pm #
Ellen….don’t tempt me.
Brandy on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:11 pm #
I, too, vote for #4. It has a slight air of mystery and yet is still approachable!
Suzanne Enoch on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:13 pm #
Thanks again, everybody! You’re all giving me a swelled head. Now all I need is for someone to write a nice blog about me and how great my books are. Hm. Now if only I’d won some sort of writing wager with one of the other goddesses this past week. Hm.
Julia London on 17 Oct 2007 at 8:43 pm #
Oh, Suzanne, I so admire you — I would LOVE to see a blog about you! I am just trying to think who could do you justice. I mean really get in there and outline how great your writing and your books are and why. I can never stop thinking about myself long enough to do that for another author, but I know there is someone out there who really really deserves the honor. There is so much to say! Good luck finding that special someone!
ladydawgfan on 17 Oct 2007 at 9:50 pm #
One more vote for #4!!! And actually, I really like photo #1 as well. Nice photos, Suzanne. You’re so lucky to be so photogenic.
Kathy on 18 Oct 2007 at 7:36 am #
I like #1 and #4 if the pants were cropped out of the picture. I find the white distracting. I too like your current photo. Okay on a closer look the white pants is a pillow. Sheesh. Crop the pillow out. I thought you were laying down!!! And I yes I need new glasses. Good luck with your choice. Looks like a win-win to me.
Froggie on 18 Oct 2007 at 10:10 pm #
I’m probably too late to put my two cents in, but I’m voting for picture #4. I like the natural lighting coming in from the window. I also think it’s the only one that has a natural and best facial expression.
Dot C on 19 Oct 2007 at 8:09 am #
I like #4 too. It says, Yeah, I just finished a book, and though you can’t see the bottle of Jack on the table in front of me, I’m pretty damn glad about it!
Mary on 19 Oct 2007 at 3:20 pm #
Either #2 or #4!..You look great!
NB on 19 Oct 2007 at 6:48 pm #
Now the votes are in and the bet has been won. You go girl
Saret on 23 Oct 2007 at 2:58 pm #
The last is the best IMO. Great pics!
Love that deep red sweater, very attractive on you.
Wendy Lee on 03 Nov 2007 at 11:31 pm #
I am going to go against the majority. I do not like number 4. It is too much sofa and not enough you. I like number 2. My s2nd pick would be number 1. Number 3 is nice, but too much light.
Good luck with whichever you decide on.