Tag: posing for photos

Candid Talks, Nonfiction

Negotiating Photography for Headshots and Marketing – How to

Pauline Shen

Previously, I posted a two-part series giving tips for writers who want to look their best for a headshot. In Tips for a Successful Photography Session, I discussed how to prepare for your sitting, what to bring with you, and how to ensure that you photograph well. In this post, I’ll cover selecting and booking a photographer.

You can negotiate to get high-quality headshots without having to pay a hefty fee. It’s not about being cheap; it’s about navigating a thrifty choice. An emerging writer still needs to take care of the promotion and business side of things. Paying thousands for a studio photoshoot? Unthinkable! Let’s talk about it.

Selecting a Photographer

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Candid Talks, Nonfiction

Tips for a Successful Photography Session – PART TWO

Pauline Shen

I’ve worked with a variety of photographers and posed for a range of portraits through fine-art images. For a writer, it is important to have a headshot ready to send out with your published work. The higher-quality, the better. This usually means booking a photographer to take your picture. You’ll have to model for the camera. In this post, I am continuing to share tips that come from a culmination of my modeling experiences. If you missed the beginning, you can catch up here: Tips for a Successful Photography Session PART ONE.

Personal Care

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Candid Talks, Nonfiction

Tips for a Successful Photography Session – PART ONE

Pauline Shen

Although I do photography, I’ve also posed for the camera. So, this blog post is from the prospective of the person sitting for the session. If you’re a freelance writer, it is important to have a high-quality headshot at the very minimum when you begin getting your work published. Many literary journals ask for a headshot, and it is always a good idea to have a professional-looking one on the homepage of your website. As you progress, you’ll want to have eye-catching photos to use with your marketing materials in addition to a basic headshot. Having your picture taken involves more than just posing for the camera. Let’s talk about it.

I’ve worked with a variety of photographers over the past decades. As a model, I posed in-studio within Toronto’s fashion district. I’ve had photos taken while on stage for fitness competitions. And I’ve also worked with many up-and-coming photographers who focused on a range of aesthetics from portraits through fine-art. So the tips I’m sharing here come from a culmination of all these experiences. And, no, it’s not the obvious stuff like “comb your hair,” or, “smile for the camera.”

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