With the first book in my trilogy coming out next May, I’m learning the process of publicity. Part of that process is upgrading my publicity photos from an outdated casual one to professional photos. After hiring Terry Hancock Photography to shoot me, now it’s time to choose which of his oh-so-flattering (is that really me?) shots to use for publicity. My hair cooperated. It has been known to do impersonations of Don King, Janis Joplin, and Phyllis Diller. Terry asked me what I wanted from the photos and I asked if he could shave off fifteen pounds and twenty years. After polite snickering, he claimed he couldn’t perform magic. I think he underestimates his powers.
I can use one photo for my books and another for my journalism work, but like editing one’s own writing–objective input really, really helps. Choose your favorite, rank them in order from Oh-Yes to Don’t-go-there, or 1 to 5.
So, gentle reader, friend, family, or passerby, please comment on which of the following photos make me look most like an interesting best-selling author, likeable person, and smart writer of suspenseful crime fiction with romantic subplots. Maybe that’s too much to ask of a photo, but hey, dream big or go home.
Yeah, yeah, I took off my glasses. Vanity, thy name is woman….
Photo 1 Joni in leather pilot’s jacket
Photo 2 without the leather jacket
Photo 3 serious look with black background
Photo 4 seriously
Photo 5 smiling with black background
Okay, gang. Vote away. Just for comparison, here’s my old unprofessional publicity photo–from my freelance journalist days.
outdated publicity photo
If you’d like to read the first chapter of South of Justice, it’s on my website.
My writer pals will probably try to caption the photos. Rock on, you creative souls!
Thank you!
Number two
Love photo #2 white shirt. The others seem too stuffy. Congrats on the book.
Joni, you look great in all of them, but my favorite is #5, then #2. Missed you at our TARA meeting today. See you next month.
All are good. But I like photo 5 the most.
I like photo #2. You look natural and relaxed.
Joni, you look beautiful in all of them but, my favorite is #2, in the white shirt!! ????
Number 2 is my choice — so pretty and professional!
Photo 2 best captures your personality. Love it!
#5 wins by a length
#2 is in second place
then #1 with #3 by a nose