For my recent author headshot session with <\/span>Holly Seddon<\/b>, we headed to a brutalist-style car park in Tunbridge Wells. It\u2019s not necessarily the first place you\u2019d think of for an author portrait, but it turned out to be the perfect backdrop.<\/span><\/p>\n When I\u2019m photographing authors, I\u2019m always looking for locations that add something to the images without distracting from the person.<\/span><\/p>\n A car park might sound like an unusual choice, but the strong architectural lines, concrete, brickwork and deep shadows created exactly the kind of atmosphere I was looking for. The darker, industrial surroundings also gave us a lovely contrast against Holly\u2019s lighter hair and skin tones.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the most important things for me when photographing authors is that their headshots still feel like <\/span>them<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n An author photograph needs to work hard. It might appear on a book jacket, publisher website, social media, in press coverage, at literary festivals or alongside an interview. But it also needs to feel approachable and natural.<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019m not interested in creating overly posed portraits. Instead, I like to give plenty of direction while allowing space for natural expressions and movement. This usually results in a gallery of images that feels varied but cohesive. From more traditional portraits to something a little more relaxed.<\/span><\/p>\n With Holly, the combination of her relaxed presence and the graphic architecture around us gave us plenty to work with.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/charlotteknee.com\/authorheadshots\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Holly-Seddon-Author-Headshot-copyright-Charlotte-Knee-Photography-80.jpg” alt=”Holly Seddon Author Headshot” title_text=”Holly-Seddon-Author-Headshot-copyright-Charlotte-Knee-Photography-80″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] For me, a successful author headshot is about much more than simply having a technically good photograph.<\/span><\/p>\n It should give the viewer a little sense of the person behind the books.<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s why I love working on location. It gives us the opportunity to create photographs with atmosphere and personality, while still producing the polished, professional images that authors need for their publicity.<\/span><\/p>\nFinding character in unexpected places<\/b><\/h2>\n
Keeping an author headshot natural<\/b><\/h2>\n
Creating an author portrait with personality<\/b><\/h2>\n
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