A Photo Shoot with Anna
So you guys wanted to see the author shots that Anna took of me. I have a TON of them so I’m just going to plaster this post with all of them! I’m a little embarrassed to have such a me me me post but I figure it’s better to get it over with all at once and maybe you guys can help me pick the best ones that I should use in my books and bios and such—and can you help me write that bio while you’re at it? I’m so stuck.
These are from the day we went to Palm Springs. I love Palm Springs. So dry and clear and then there’s this gigantic mountain that shoots straight up into the sky. I always like to live next to something that is BIG. Ocean, mountain…just something to give me a sense of direction. Put me in Bakersfield or the rolling hills of Texas and I’m completely lost.
Of course Bug came with us and she stole the show from me, as usual.
I love the one on the right with me on the rock. I think I’ll use it on the back cover of my next self-help book. Just kidding. I’m not writing any self-help books!
Oh, I look so authorly. Too authorly? Okay, then here, look at my chest. Funny story: I wore a hot pink bra and I’m sure poor Anna spent many hours photoshopping it out. I really didn’t mean to cause her so much extra work it’s just that it’s my favorite bra and all the other ones are all stretched out. (Motherhood is so glamorous. Also, I need to go shopping.)
Cheeeeese! You know, that smile cost my parents a pretty penny. They really couldn’t afford braces but I had the most awful snaggle-toothed grin (Seriously, bi-cuspids where bi-cuspids should not be.) that they couldn’t afford not to for my sake. Consequently, I had braces for about eleven years—or at least it seemed like it because my parents couldn’t always make the payments on time. I used to go to the orthodontist every week and sometimes I would just sit in the waiting room while the orthodontist mumbled under his breath about my parents who were late on the bill again and again. I think he probably gave me half of my appointments out of charity. And for that (and my parents hard-earned payments) I am eternally thankful.
I love these ones by this busy tile wall. Crazy texture and some cowboy boots too! I love that old dress. Yes, I have worn it to every big event for the last six years. I wear it at least once a month and it’s still going strong. I’ll probably cry when it finally wears out.
Secret Agent Girl! Er Woman, er…Mom or something.
I really like these ones. Too bad Bug’s glasses are knocked all caliwumpus.
Who says 39-year-olds can’t show their knees? I do. Except they don’t look so bad in this shot. Anna is amazing, I tell you.
Okay. Tired of that dress yet? Good ’cause we’re moving on.
This is Brenda of the Grapefruit Groves. Have you heard that ghost story? Just kidding. This is me in my giant thrift-store turquoise skirt. I bought it for about three bucks and had my aunt take it in for me. It was a size 22 but I loved the color so much I just ripped that size tag out and got it tailored. Them’s the perks of having a seamstress in the family.
Dappled light, sitting in trees. I’m so versatile. Don’t you just want to read my books?
Here I’m modeling for a cover for the next Twilight book.
The grapefruits were actually pretty cool. Too bad they can’t be me on my author page on Amazon.
Oh yay! Let’s look at Bug. She’s such a sight for sore eyes.
Speaking of eyes, it’s Crazy-Eyes Ponnay again! I swear, I am probably the only person who looks worse in make-up. And these are the good shots! You should see all the outtakes and what I looked like before Anna softened things. Never mind. Be thankful I’m sparing you.
I like these ones. Mostly because I am wearing my fake-but-possibly-real Missoni dress that my aunt Keren made me. What’s that you say? You have a fake-possibly-real Missoni dress? I do! Remember that Target/Missoni craze that happened a while back? Well, my aunt saw the ads and remembered an old bolt of this funky fabric she had that looked just like Missoni fabric. She has no idea where it came from and there is no brand name anywhere on the fabric or on the cardboard spool. One of her clients just left it at her shop and never asked for it back. My aunt asked me if I’d like a dress out of it and I said, Yes, Ma’am! It’s a little itchy on the inside but I love it. Nobody else has a dress like this. My mom says it gives her a headache but I don’t care. I still like it.
And Bug has one to match!
I love these photos of us in our trench coats AND the mini Eiffel Tower, or as Rotin said on Flickr: “My how we’ve grown!” We’re actually outside a French Restaurant in Newport Beach that I’ve yet to try. Anna said they got the French wrong on their painted windows so they’ve kind of lost their magic to me. But I do still love the mini Eiffel Tower. I want it in my future walk-in closet so I can throw my clothes on it.
And that’s all of them! Phew! Thank you Anna! Everyone else: you should hire her.
26 Comments
Susan
Well, I think they are all great! You look amazing. I couldn’t pick a favorite at all, so have fun w that!
Madge
Self help book! HAHAHA. I don’t know why I found that so funny? I love every single one, but my two most favorite for author type stuff would be the one with your pretty smile leaning against the texturey (yes I made up a word) with you hand on your hip. I also really like the second to the last one of you and Bug next to the Eiffel Tower.
I once was lost in Bakersfield. Don’t ever do that, it’s scary!!
Becca
Umm, I pick…. that one!!
Seriously, they are all so great.
For a traditional-like author photo I like #20, 22, 37, and 65.
But I think some of the other ones are more “you” and you and Bug. I particularly like #75 of the mini Eiffel tower set.
aunt kathy
62, 63, 43, 78, 46, 39, 13 and 3. Too hard to choose! They are alllll cute.
(See you in a week)
Norma
Ooo! I love love love 65! All of them are lovely though – what great shots!
Kuky
I’m playing catch up reading. I like all of the pictures. I’m wondering what size the author picture is going to be. If it’s small I’d say choose a close up if you want to be seen. However I am partial to the ones with Bug in them.
Aspenroad
I like # 77, but I think they all look great!
OMSH
Okay seriously – there are so many I like, but for a book I loooooove #22 and #37. For cutesy-fun, I like #74. But wow, so many good ones. It was very hard to choose!
Now, I need #74 for my fridge!
Cathy
#37 for the book and also like #75 – you really look great in all of them though! Adore your floral dress and I’m 47 and still show my knees, so there!
Kate
It’s so funny you don’t like the makeup, I think the lipstick is SO glamorous! My faves: 22, 37 and 65, not necessarily in that order. 65 makes you look really youthful, too :)
Andrea
3, 22 and stripey top on chair shot 63… and 53 – although it’s probably more about what feels most like you than what we think…
Sarah
22, 37, 63 and 65 (love the artist’s bokeh) and all the Paris ones are my favourites.
Great photography, Anna – and great posing, you!
BeachMama
OH Brenda! I hate that I helped you lose the magic for the windows :( But honestly I remembered what Souffle (without the accent) was on the way home. Breathe. So really they are telling you to breathe the chocolate, which really isn’t that bad :) just not a light and fluffy pastry.
I had such an amazing time working with you, and I hope that we can do it again sometime, perhaps in front of the real Eiffel Tower!!
Lauren
13, 17, 18, 22 and 46 are my FAV! You are such a gorgeous lady!
Jennie
13 and 20!!! They are all great.
Heather
I really like the close up of Crazy-Eyes Ponnay…LOL. Very pretty!! I also like 13. Both would be great in your books. Have fun choosing one.
bethany actually
I think I love 18 and 22 the best because they look like you, and you’re laughing. :-) But for an author’s photo I like 20 and 30.
Britt
Author profile: 13 or 22 – Whichever looks more “you” to you in real life.
Spy jacket: 67,76,77 – And I think the catywhompus (not going to look it up because I *like* that spelling) glasses on Bug are cute.
All are great! BUT I wouldn’t do the ones with the matching tile for promo. Too much would depend on print quality.
Annika
I commented on my favorites on Flickr!
anj
wow, I’m not going to be any help at all, so many great ones! love the mtn. in the background one, and all the boots ones, and all the eiffel tower ones… see, no help? good luck choosing.
Sarah
Not that you asked for our (my) opinion, but in BrendaPonnay-63, you look sensational! Seriously :)
Elizabeth
You are so pretty! And Bug is so adorable! You both look gorgeous in all of them. You can’t go wrong. You have to use some of the ones with La Tour Eiffel, though.
Lisame
Favorite is you in your favorite dress, peering around the CMU blocks all Secret Agentie. LOVE!
Well, I like them all – so cute. But you asked.
norm
39! Nuh-uhhhh! ;) Great photos. You have wonderful knees.
April G.
Those are great photos! I like the Crazy Eyes ones, since you can really see your face.
The ones of you and Bug with the mini Eiffel tower are fantastic! What a fun photo shoot.
rapunzel
you don’t look bad in makeup!!! (you should have seen me! I went so far, I had raccoon eyes!)