Update:
We’re still moving forward to my book launch!
Last week, I told you about still needing the Library of Congress Number for the book.
It came through!! Yee Haw!!! Woot Woot!!
We still have a few more details to complete with Amazon publishing before we can announce the launch date of the book into the big wide world! Hopefully by next week, I’ll know.
Another thing happened on the way to launching this book …
Headshots!
Headshots are professional photos which usually appear in professional places; business cards, websites, social media, book covers, and wherever your bio appears. You know, those little cameo photos from the shoulders up.
When I first started this blog six years ago, I had a professional headshot session. My daughter holds a digital media degree with a concentration in photography. Therefore, I have a built in wonderful personal photographer. She reminds me all the time, “Mom, you paid for all of my knowledge. You have free photos for a lifetime.” Who can refuse those services, especially when I love her captures
The “experts” recommend uploading a new headshot to your online platforms every 2-3 years. Since it’s been six years and my book is coming out, I knew it was a must. It’s so someone would recognize you and associate your actual looks to the photos they’ve seen. I’ve seen plenty of headshots that when I met the person, I had to take a second look to identify them.
My daughter, Liv, and I had agreed to take them at her house because she was doing an artistic shoot for her alma mater and setting up a black screen in her house. So, I took a few outfits. She does 99% of her clients in natural light, not in a studio. It worked great for her project!
When it came time to take my photos, an impediment arose …
My Glasses!!!
Outdoors, you move clients according to the sun to avoid casting shadows in all the wrong places. Indoors you use lighting to make all the light; casting shadows is a bigger issue, especially with glasses.
She said, “Mom, it’s been over ten years since I’ve tried to deal with glasses in an indoor studio.” My glasses kept casting shadows and light. She tried way too long. We finally decided we’d take them in natural light another day. She was going to come down to the lake and take them here.
You won’t believe where we ended up taking my headshots!!!
I don’t even believe it!
Turns out mid-February we were going to a Broadway show: the tickets were my Christmas present from Liv and her husband. I love experience gifts!
We were inside the event space with a fair amount of time before the doors opened. We took a foursome picture. Of course, I wore business casual attire, styled my hair, and applied makeup. When we looked at the picture we took, I thought, “I look decent in this pic.” It’s a rare day I say that after a photo is taken.
I turned to Liv and said, “Hey, do you want to try headshots in here?”
She only had her iPhone: her upgraded iPhone had a good camera.
She replied, “Let me check out a few spots.”
She came back over and said, “Let’s try!”
“Come over here,” I followed.
Then she giggled and said, “Come behind this curtain!”
We both giggled as she pulled the curtain back. An absurd thought; going behind a curtain, in this prestigious place filled with gigantic chandeliers dripping with real crystals, notable statues, and carpets royalty and notability have crossed.
I was positioned between the curtain and window. Beyond the window… the terrace and the Potomac River.
Inside … The Kennedy Center!!
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC.
In this prestigious place, awards are given, concerts by the famous take place, Broadway shows are performed, and gatherings of great importance occur. It’s a very special place. I’ve been fortunate to go there multiple times in my life and even performed on the stage once. (Story for another day.)
There we were hiding from the masses behind a curtain using the gorgeous natural light from the opulent towering windows doing a photo shoot!
Right about HERE …
Who would have guessed?
Not even us!!
Introducing my Kennedy Center debut ….
You must know this is an edited photo. Liv removed some age lines around my eyes and neck, added some lip color. Stamp size, social media pics don’t need all those natural lines competing with the image. “Picture perfect!”
Never compare yourself to someone else’s professional photos. Photographers have magical powers the rest of us can’t imitate in our captures. If you met them face to face, you’d see reality.
Let’s open another curtain. Here is the unedited version for authenticity 😉
Boy, my eyes were puffy🙄
See how my daughter worked her magic? She’s a jewel!
When you see my picture, give a little giggle for the two of us huddled behind a curtain at the Kennedy Center.
Then, giggle at my husband saying, “What were you two doing back there?” (We erupted with laughter!!)
Watch out, we are a spontaneous bunch. There’s a story behind everything we do … it’s usually a humorous one!
You never know where life and a book coming to life will take you!
Enjoy the Journey!
Quite a memorable photo … Still giggling,
Elaine Stone 