Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies Monica Burns
This book is captivating from the first page to the last. I applaud the unique storylines in this book. I thought they were handled in a brilliant way. Rarely do you see books with this combination. I enjoyed it immensely. The book is well written with a keen eye to details. The characters are extremely well defined. You can't go wrong with this book. Get it now and add it to your TBR pile.
I found it a bit long. It seems in spots Ms. Burns spreads the story a bit thin.
I gave this one 5 cheers out 5 because even with the issue I found, it's a phenomenal book.
Monday, February 12, 2024
Catching Rose Virginia Barlow
Ms. Barlow created characters for this book that are so life-like it's easy to picture them in your mind. Then she wove a story around them with intrigue, love, and excitement. I really enjoyed this book and have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I was taken on a journey I hadn't expected. The spunk and determination of these characters is something to see. Get this book!
About three-fourths of the way in, the book does slow down some. It relaxes the pace too much. In this same area, there is some repetitive passages.
I gave this one 4 cheers out of 5 because of the issues listed above.
Sunday, February 4, 2024
How Authors Can Take a Great Head Shot Your Headshot Can Help Cinch a Media Interview and Establish Credibility
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By Scott Lorenz
I’ve worked with some of the best photographers in the USA. I’ve been in dozens of studios all over the country and have been privy to their backstage techniques. These photographers have photographed Miss America contestants, professional hockey and baseball players as well as CEOs, authors, doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs. I got the skinny directly from them on their tips for getting the best head shot possible.
While the written word is powerful in landing a media placement, as a book publicist I know that a great photo can cinch a media opportunity just as well and sometimes even faster. How? It’s simple. The photo immediately tells the reporter if the author looks credible and it tells a TV producer if the person is going to look good on a TV interview. If you don’t think they care, think again. It also declares race, sex and sometimes creed. It all matters, and don’t assume it’s a negative thing as it helps news producers provide a balanced newscast so that all voices can be heard. It’s the same with print or broadcast media.
To be sure you convey your message in your headshot and to put your best face forward you’ll want to hear some tips on How to take a great headshot.
First let’s talk about the use of the head shot and its purpose as that dictates the style.
Author Headshots will be used on a book cover and press materials, website and social media. You want multiple variations as the thumbnail close up on Amazon will be different from the one you use on LinkedIn, Amazon and your book flap. Is this a serious book? If so then you should look professional. If it’s a cookbook then look like a cook in proper attire in the kitchen. If you are a doctor then look like one!
Renowned photographer Sam T’ang of Sam T’ang Production Studios, who regularly photographs Miss America and Miss USA contestants, says planning ahead is critical and offers these tips:
- Get a good night’s sleep and rest the day before your shoot. (You don’t want wrinkles or baggie eyes for your shoot).
- A good headshot should focus just on your face. Clothing should be complementary & should have contrast, IE, someone with lighter color hair should have darker tops or suits, someone with darker hair should have lighter colored tops or suits.
- Clothing/wardrobe should not be busy or have patterns. Always bring several different outfits if possible. It is always better to have too much than only one outfit to work with.
- Backgrounds should be clean, un-cluttered and should not have a pattern (unless it’s an environmental portrait).
- Accessories (Women). Jewelry should be subtle and not overpowering (again, the main focus is on the face).
- MAKEUP/HAIR (Women & Men). If it is possible to have a makeup artist/hair stylist, hire one! Makeup is not only important, but makeup looks COMPLETELY different on camera than in real life and the camera PICKS UP EVERYTHING. Everyday makeup under professional photography lighting and strobes will look like you have no makeup at all. A professional makeup artist is well worth the investment!
- Lighting. A professional photographer should understand lighting conditions whether it’s natural light or strobes (flash). Good lighting makes a huge difference in your photos. Be aware that shooting under fluorescent lights will cast a green tint to your photos.
- Photographers. There are many talented photographers out there, but only a few who actually specialize and can take a GREAT HEADSHOT. A good photographer should make you feel comfortable and be able to communicate and direct you, thus making your shots look natural and relaxed instead of stiff or too posed and awkward.
- Retouching. Almost all images are retouched and edited. One caveat, just don't have your photographer OVER RETOUCH your photo or use FILTERS that make you look too plastic and not real (unless that is the look you want).
Jack Kenny whose photography book CUBA is filled with photos of the people of Cuba says he likes shooting outdoors in available light. Natural light outside can be beautiful. I like to shoot in doorways or windows or under overpasses, keeping the subject just out of the direct light.
For headshots, says Kenny, “I like to work both in the studio and in natural light. Sometimes I use a combination of the two where the natural light isn’t sufficient to “fill” the subject. For males I prefer to use a single light source (in varying sizes depending on the drama desired). The light is placed at a 30 to 90-degree angle from the subject and sometimes I use an edge light on the opposite side or a reflector to fill in the shadows. For women I tend to use a softer light – usually two front lights – one weaker than the other, and I keep the light sources closer to the camera.”
According to Steve Kovich who shot for the Detroit Red Wings, Tigers, Lions and is currently the Tampa Bay Rays official team photographer, “You want to create depth and mood. Lighting a subject from high above and off to the side is what I like to do. This lighting style is commonly referred to as “Rembrandt” lighting as this is the way the light came into his studio.”
“On the creative end, it’s the ability to evoke or more likely to capture emotion. Whether it be happy, sad, or otherwise,” says Kovich.
In the end, says Jack Kenny, almost any light can be used depending on the effects desired, but a true headshot should emphasize the subject and not the photographer.
About Sam T’ang
Based in Detroit and Miami, Sam T’ang is a national and international published photographer specializing in Beauty, Glamour, Fashion and Swimwear. Sam’s work has appeared in advertisements, calendars, magazines and posters: MAXIM, STUFF, PLAYBOY, FHM, COSMOPOLITAN, GLAMOUR, TEEN, YOUNG MISS, PERFECT 10, OCEAN DRIVE, HAWAIIAN TROPIC, VENUS SWIMWEAR, FITNESS USA, AUTORAMA, and many others.
Sam has photographed headshots for the Miss America, Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss Venus Swimwear, Miss Hawaiian Tropic pageant contestants, the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings players headshots/promos as well as thousands of models, actors and celebrities. (www.SamTang.com) 248-845-8274 and 305-502-1354.
About Jack Kenny
Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Kenny specializes in headshots and has photographed dozens of CEOs, doctors, lawyers, authors and entrepreneurs. Kenny is also author/publisher of Cuba where he takes readers on a photographic journey through modern day Cuba. www.kennyphoto.com (734) 395-1265
About Steven Kovich
Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Steven Kovich has photographed celebrities such as Kevin Costner, Kevin Bacon and Hulk Hogan as well as hundreds of sports figures including Derek Jeter and Red Wing hockey great Steve Yzerman. He’s also the Tampa Bay Rays official team photographer. His list of corporate clients includes Hyatt, Ameritech, AT&T, CBS, Coke, Chrysler, Domino’s Pizza, Detroit Symphony, ESPN, Ford, Dupont, General Motors, Getty Images, Proctor & Gamble, Pulte Homes, American Red Cross and the US Postal Service. Kovich’s web site has few words as he lets his photos speak for themselves. www.kovich.com 727-452-2349.
The Bottom Line: Your headshot is one of the most important elements in your book promotion. Get a professional to shoot it. Don’t skimp out and use a cropped shot from your summer vacation!
About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it's their first book or their 15th book. He's handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
Learn more about Westwind Book Marketing at https://www.WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090 or fill out the form below. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net
Would You Like Major Publicity for Your Book?
Scott Lorenz here of Westwind Book Marketing.
Do you have a book, product, cause or business you’d like to promote?
Want to be interviewed on top TV shows and featured in major national publications?
Apply to take part in the National Publicity Summit, a one-of-a-kind conference where you'll personally meet more than 75 radio/TV producers, journalists, podcasters and other media decision-makers in Zoom meetings, taking place between March 11 and March 23, 2024.
During the Zoom sessions, you can directly pitch your story to them, one-on-one and face-to-face from the comfort and safety of your own home or office.
If you’re got a message to share, seriously consider taking part, because there’s no better opportunity to make personal connections with this many media, this easily.
An in-person event in years past, the Summit online is strictly limited to only 65 participants, which means you should act now if you're interested in taking part.
Previous Publicity Summit participants have been featured on or in such major media as:
ABC's The View... Today Show... Good Morning America... Fox News Channel... 48 Hours... Tamron Hall Show... Martha Stewart Living... Family Circle... Parents... Parenting... Health magazine... New York Post... Good Housekeeping... and many others.
Don't feel ready to pitch major outlets? There are also have smaller shows and publications represented, which can be great outlets for refining your interview-giving skills.
Where else can you get direct, unfiltered access to media gatekeepers and decision-makers so you can tell them exactly why their audiences need to know about you and what you do?
Again, if you're interested in taking part, go here now:
I look forward to hearing about all the media you land as a result of the Summit!
One more thing, if I can ever be of service to you in the promotion of your book please contact me. Please know that I have attended the live event for 15+years and came up with the idea for the virtual event due to the pandemic, and also that I am a compensated affiliate of Steve Harrison.
In the meantime, be sure to check out my article below about author headshots and how they can help cinch a media interview.
Good luck!
Scott Lorenz
President
Westwind Communications
Office: 734-667-2090
Follow me on Twitter at @aBookPublicist