Guest blog by Randy Susan Meyers

Holly: Randy Susan Meyers has been THE most gracious guest blogger as I have jerked her date for blogging around all over the place. Please welcome her -- I certainly can relate to her subject today.

PHOTOSHOP BOTOX FOR AUTHOR PICTURES

First, there was Vaseline on the camera lens.

Next up was rose-colored lighting, shooting through pantyhose, and soft focus.

And then came Photoshop.

No one tells the truth of course, so for the “me-too-ism” of writers everywhere, I will set aside my vanity and offer the unadulterated, unvarnished, unphotoshopped truth. These are the things I did to prepare for my author photo:

1) Googled ‘how to look good in photos’ and found advice. Very helpful advice.

2) Went for a professional make-up ‘consult’ (would that be tax deductible?)

3) Visited the ‘hair whisperer’ and told him, “Do what you will. Just don’t cut it short.” Which he did. But I loved it. Price: Very high. Satisfaction: Priceless. Cost if husband finds out cost: there will be lawyers.

And don’t even ask about clothes. I bought and returned several boutique’s worth. I tried on every combination of outfit and accessory.

My sister Jill Meyers, a person for whom I never have to pretend, is a talented photographer and a super-talented sister.  To make the best author photo, she studied portrait-shooting technique, bought the talented Marion Ettinger’sbook Author Photo for inspiration, and invested in equipment to make me glow (and look, ahem, less mature.)

Jill did a wonderful job. She shot literally hundreds of photos, and we reviewed and eliminated, consulted and polled until we found ‘the one.’ Then she really went to work. With a stroke of her magic computer pen, lines disappear. Adjust the lighting: I warm up, I cool down. I flushed, I blushed, I smoldered.

How far could we go? I’d already applied make-up with the skill of Bobbi Brown herself.  Worn the pearl earrings that cast the most glow on my face. Chosen the green shirt that matched my eyes (that is was, in reality, a slightly raggy Gap tee shirt wouldn’t show in the shoulder-up picture.

Now I had to answer the question: is it Kosher to erase my lines? Would it be like using Botox? (Is it ok to use Botox? Is it less bad to use only Photoshop Botox?) After a second of agonized deliberation, I decided. Just a few minor, um . . . .adjustments. The furrows between my brows came from worrying over my children, for goodness sake. Would softening those badges of motherhood make me a bad person? And what about those pesky forehead lines? The puppet lines by my mouth?

Jill went to work. And I loved the final product. Perhaps too much.

What if my sister had made me look so good that no one would recognize me in real life?

A friend of mine, a lovely-looking woman whose book was about to be sold, vowed to have her picture taken sans artifice. So that no one would be surprised when they met her.

Since my book came out, people have recognized me when I came to do a reading. No one asked me what century the picture was taken.

Okay. There was one. (I did promise the truth, right?) The woman who gave me a facial, the one who stared at me under those glaring lights of truth – she asked when the picture was taken.

Maybe my friend had the right idea. Jill did such a good job with that photo. I worry:

Was it cheating to use Photoshop? (But everybody's doing it!)

You be the judge.

Here I am, trying on glasses in a store (awful glasses!) circa this year as compared to my author photo: 

Randy Susan Meyers is the author of The Murderer’s Daughters, released by St. Martin’s Press in January 2010. Her family drama is informed by her work with batterers and victims of domestic violence, as well her experience with youth impacted by street violence. The Los Angeles Times deemed the books, “A knock-out debut.” The Murderer’s Daughters was recently chosen the Target “Club Pick” for February/March and chosen as a Massachusetts Council for the Book as a “Must Read.” The Murderer’s Daughters was just named a finalist for the Massachusetts Book Award.

Comments

[Margaret Maron]

Welcome, Randy. Funny post. My own rule of thumb is not to use a photo older than two years so that yes, people will recognize me when I walk in and don't go, "Oh you poor thing! Have you been ill?"

[Nancy Martin]

I want the guy who "touched up" my photo to follow me everywhere.

Thanks for being our guest, Randy!

[Alan P.]

I have done photoshop touch ups for a few people. Easy. How would you like to look?

Seriously, you should start with a good photographer and make up. I went to high school with a very good photographer, she is not cheap, but for your album cover, senate posters or modeling career, she is who you want. http://suzygorman.com/ Sorry, don't think I can get you a deal.

How good is photoshop?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U Dove Evolution. It is a few years old now but still good.

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

Oh, you look terrific..and that photo looks just like you!! I wouldn't even say that was "done." Great job.

I wish I could tell you the story about one photographer I went to. It was--horrible. I don't even use the photos. (Although not as bad an experience as a beautiful and talented pal of mine--she went to the same place, and the photog said: "Ah. I take from shoulders up. You are fat."

[gaylin in Vancouver]

The photo looks great and the photoshopping is not overdone or obvious. Love the haircut!

Back in the day I was a typsetter/graphic artist in the early days of Photoshop (yep, 1.0) and we used to have a great time giving ourselves devil horns or changing the hair colour etc.

I have seen book cover photos of authors from their first book to a recent book and they have miraculously reversed time, HA, photoshop at its worst.

[Randy Susan Meyers]

Thanks for the kind words (especially from those who've actually seen me in person--Hank :) 'Sweetest' Phillipi Ryan.) Now, as I ready for book 2, I wonder about the life-span of an author photo.

[Marie]

Randy you look beautiful in your photo.
My DH and I were professional photographers before photo shop and botox.
We did weddings and portraits and everything in between.
The most fun we had is when we went to Hollywood on a photo shoot involving aspiring models. There was no need to do much in the way of touch ups.these girls were lovely.
As a woman I often envied these nubile lovelies as I was young but was not a model quality person.
Now I have come to grips with my looks and am happy that I have the ability to smile and be happy because after all these years I am grateful to still be around.

[Carol R]

Thank you so much for clearing that up. There is one author I started reading many years ago and the photo of her on the back cover was an endearing deer-in-the-headlights photo. She became very popular. Now her photos are beautiful model shots with none of the endearing quality. I thought, so that's what a lot of money can do for a woman. Now I know that's what a lot of money can do for a photograph. You look adorable in both photos. It's the light, and perhaps mischief, in your eyes.

[lil Gluckstern]

The "new" picture looks very good and natural. You look good. I really liked your book.

[Laura (in PA)]

I think your photo is lovely! Your sister did a great job "keeping it real".

I have seen certain author photos that look nothing like said author, either because it's decades old, or because the photo has had so much work done. I would prefer the photo look like the actual person. Believe it or not, I don't read authors because they're cute. :)

Great to see you here, Randy!

[Harley]

Welcome, Randy -- and they're both great photos. The Author Photo is definitely you, just . . . You Plus.

[Nancy Pickard]

I love your photo, and I agree that it looks really natural and warm. I've had a lot of author photos taken, and none of them please me because I don't look like Jessica Lange in any of them. The original Jessica Lange, that is, not the reworked one that makes me feel sad to see her now.

I loved hearing how you got ready for the shot, and I think I learned some things today, thank you! But I will warn you that you can't outrun that business of having photos that look much younger than you are, because your earlier photos will never die. They will confront you at signings, for your whole life. They will haunt you and stalk you. Heh. Personally, I make sure to turn the book over quickly! "Oh, how did that photo of my daughter get on there?" (I don't have a daughter.)

Welcome!

[[email protected]]

I think your photo is great, Randy.

I have a difficult time with photos. The minute they line one up, my face and hair rebel. It's so embarrassing. My first photographer, after working for half a day, suggested "maybe a little wine." I refused. I would have looked just as terrible but with a red face!

It's never a good sign when everyone tells you that you look much better in person.

[Randy Susan Meyers]

Such great thoughts. Brunonia--if you ever want someone who will make you relax, come to my house and my sister will be the one. She is so goofy, plus, she has the lovely gold somethings which bounce light just right. When I went to a real photographer (before Jill) I ended up looking embalmed before my time. Embalmed with the most horrible smile ever. Nancy, I love the idea of trying to look like Jessica Lange. Me too!

It's fun to be here.

[Pamela Beason]

All I can say is Thank God for decent photographers and Photoshop! While I'm actually sort of attractive in person, I always look like a psycho off her meds in photos. If I had to use a casual photo on the back of a book jacket, nobody would touch the book!

[Nora]

Both photos are lovely! The jacket photo hits the perfect professional note while looking quite natural. Nothing to fret over. Love the cut!

[Laraine]

I say, 'brava!' for your natural and honest photo with just the wee bit of softening you describe--readers are critics, and there's no point in giving them something to criticize by not using a bit of concealer on a blemish or a bit of softening on a well-earned crease.

When I was about 30, a colleague took a terrific photo of me, relaxed, looking happily into the camera with slightly unruly hair and a flattering plaid shirt. Immediately on seeing the photo, I made a note, 'this is my author photo--it will look great on book jackets!' The only problem has been, up until now, none of the books I've written, co-written, or edited are the sort that have author pictures anywhere in them. Silly me. Now, I'll have to get a whole different photo if my next book is picked up, 'cause the old one looks like, well, the daughter I've never had.

[Crystal King]

Randy, I hope the next novel is a little lighter because you have so much funny you could share with the world. ;)

Both photos are great. She just helped your best bits shine through on the doctored one!

Have you ever looked at Martha Stewart (she's 70) in her magazine? I swear she gets younger every year, especially in any of the ads.

[cheap jerseys]

Next up was rose-colored lighting, shooting through pantyhose, and soft focus.

[toms shoes]

It's ok, but you have to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I will surely come back again.

[cheap jerseys]

When I was about 30, a colleague took a terrific photo of me, relaxed, looking happily into the camera with slightly unruly hair and a flattering plaid shirt. Immediately on seeing the photo, I made a note, 'this is my author photo--it will look great on book jackets!' The only problem has been, up until now, none of the books I've written, co-written, or edited are the sort that have author pictures anywhere in them. Silly me. Now, I'll have to get a whole different photo if my next book is picked up, 'cause the old one looks like, well, the daughter I've never had.