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Need help choosing a headshot!

Sunday, February 24, 2008
by Kaye Dacus

Since I have to have a new headshot turned in by March 1, I need y’all’s help!

Friday, I had my photoshoot! I’ve chosen some of my favorites and I’d love your feedback on which you think I should send to Barbour for my marketing materials (click on image to view full-size–and these are the raw images–the background will be cropped/photoshopped to make sure it’s plain) . . .

Photography by Melinda Rathjen; photoshoot director, Georgina Chidlow Rucker.

1.headshot1_mg_9751_cropped.jpg

2.headshot2_kaye-dacus-author-2.jpg

3.headshot3_mg_9767_cropped.jpg

4.headshot4_mg_9769.jpg

5.headshot5_mg_9789_cropped.jpg

6.headshot6_mg_9803_cropped.jpg

7.headshot7_mg_9826_cropped.jpg

8.headshot8_mg_9828_cropped.jpg


38 Comments leave one →
  1. Monday, February 25, 2008 12:10 am

    I love the last two, with the flower in your hair (7 & 8)! :)

    Venessa

  2. Austin Field permalink
    Monday, February 25, 2008 12:12 am

    Hey, gorgeous girl!
    I think for the book cover, they’d probably want a serious one, so I’d vote for #3. Behind that, #4 and #8 are my favorites.

  3. Caleb permalink
    Monday, February 25, 2008 12:24 am

    I would also vote for #3. It looks the most natural to me.

  4. teffanie permalink
    Monday, February 25, 2008 12:46 am

    They are all beautiful. Casting for #3 and #8.

  5. Monday, February 25, 2008 1:04 am

    Hi Kaye–I vote for 3 or 7!

    Julie

  6. Monday, February 25, 2008 7:00 am

    My picks are 4 and 8.

  7. Meg Morrison permalink
    Monday, February 25, 2008 7:44 am

    #3 is more natural and could be cropped a bit, 4 is also great. I like 8 but your hand might not come thru as that — just a “what is that next to her ear beside the flower?” Although I do really like your expression. CONGRATS on your new book!

  8. Monday, February 25, 2008 7:52 am

    I think my favorite is #3. Great pics!

  9. Monday, February 25, 2008 8:11 am

    Great outfits, smiles, and photos.

    I think the off-center photos are the ones that seem most dynamic, so I’m voting for 6 & 8.

    The shots where the strips of tape are visible in the background might be something to reconsider.

  10. Monday, February 25, 2008 8:42 am

    Kaye:

    I’m partial to #2 because every feature of your face is beautifully balanced and relaxed and #8 because it shows the same beauty, but with some whimsy added in.

    Have fun choosing!

    ~Heidi

  11. Monday, February 25, 2008 8:45 am

    I like four and eight–they sparkle.

  12. K. Ceres Wright permalink
    Monday, February 25, 2008 8:54 am

    I choose either #2 or #3. Great pics, btw. You’re gorgeous!

  13. Monday, February 25, 2008 9:07 am

    Kaye–
    I’d go with #3– elegant and relaxed yet professional.

    Congratulations on the book, again!
    Monica

  14. Rhonda Mason permalink
    Monday, February 25, 2008 9:22 am

    Hi Kaye

    I really like #3, I think it’s great for a book cover/jacket. I like the one you chose to put at the top of this blog, i think it’s a great blog photo, but I like #3 the best for your book.
    Great pictures! It was tough to choose :)

    -Rhonda

  15. Monday, February 25, 2008 10:10 am

    Hey, how did I not know you were having a photo shoot. Communication, friend! Anyhoo, I absolutely adore #3 and #7. These are great shots! You can’t go wrong with any of these.

  16. Monday, February 25, 2008 10:15 am

    Number three, hands down!

  17. Monday, February 25, 2008 10:34 am

    I’m torn between 4 and 8. Both are great because your expression is very warm and genuine, as if you were caught laughing. I don’t think you could go wrong with either one and it’s probably a question of how much of a closeup you want.

  18. Monday, February 25, 2008 10:51 am

    Good point, Anne–I prefer the ones where I’m either laughing or it’s a little farther away . . . can’t see all the flaws then!

  19. Monday, February 25, 2008 11:33 am

    My favorites are #3 and #8. What a difficult choice, though–great shots!

    Shelley

  20. Monday, February 25, 2008 12:36 pm

    I like 8 best cause it has personality. Both 7 & 8. Then my next choice is #3 :D

  21. Monday, February 25, 2008 12:38 pm

    PS: Don’t know if you want it o r not, but if you wanted to see an image with the background clean (no stripes) I’ve got great Photoshop skills :D

  22. Monday, February 25, 2008 1:07 pm

    #8 shows loads of personality. Playful and fun. That’s my vote.

  23. Monday, February 25, 2008 1:42 pm

    #3!!!!

  24. Monday, February 25, 2008 2:30 pm

    I have dealt with headshots and TV appearances a lot.
    I would stay away from the busy top as it distracts from your lovely face.
    Crop any shot you send so that the focus is on your face only. Be sure the tape on the wall is cropped out of the shots!
    I would pick number 1 or 6. They both look professional and you look smart and successful, like someone a reader should listen to!
    I would crop six so that the focus is on your face only. You want to look right at the reader from the pages with a warm, knowledgeable yet approachable smile.
    Good luck.
    Nancy

  25. Monday, February 25, 2008 2:58 pm

    Number 3 all the way!!

  26. Aubrey permalink
    Monday, February 25, 2008 3:31 pm

    I like three and seven the best. Three is professional yet warm, and seven is very natural and fun. They’re all great photos, though. :-)

  27. Monday, February 25, 2008 3:44 pm

    Nancy, good point about cropping. I didn’t take that into consideration when choosing. But the focus on Kaye’s face in #8 was one of the reasons I like it best. If the others were cropped, I might make a different choice.

  28. Monday, February 25, 2008 4:56 pm

    I’d say 3 or 4, depending on the look you’re going for.

    As a photographer I think that there is too much wasted space on the tops of 2 and 4, and if you submitted the 4 I’s suggest cropping the top to be more like 3 or 7.

    I think you look tired in 2, 5, and 6, and the others are adorable, but 3 or 4 would make the best back of the book shots imho ;o)

  29. Ron Shafer permalink
    Monday, February 25, 2008 8:13 pm

    I like #1. You look relaxed and professional.

  30. Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:25 am

    #8. Shows your personality and suits a romance writer.

  31. Tuesday, February 26, 2008 12:10 pm

    The last one, the one you’ve put up in your Header.

  32. Tuesday, February 26, 2008 12:50 pm

    I like 3 and 4.

  33. Tuesday, February 26, 2008 2:09 pm

    I like #3 and #8.

  34. susan permalink
    Tuesday, February 26, 2008 7:51 pm

    Kaye,

    I vote for #3. Professional, yet relaxed. No gimmicks, looking the viewer right in the eye.

    Congratulations and best wishes!

  35. Thursday, February 28, 2008 5:12 pm

    I like #2. It’s flattering and professional

  36. Becky permalink
    Friday, February 29, 2008 10:32 pm

    # 3 hands down!

  37. Uncle Jon permalink
    Sunday, March 2, 2008 10:42 pm

    Almost all great, I like 3 & 8. Congrats again!

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