I first talked to Estelle Maher at TAUK Publishing about authors’ headshots a couple of years ago and to say she wasn’t keen was an understatement. She got it completely. She knew the authors she worked with needed great headshots and, deep down I think she knew she needed them too but she hated being photographed. Most people aren’t keen, and some hate it and then there was Estelle, who told me she had never seen a photo of her that she liked and had never felt comfortable in front of a camera but knew, one day, she ought do it. It was quite a battle to get her to the big day of the shoot.

It took over 24 months from first discussing a shoot to actually getting to the day of the shoot and I wasn’t sure if she’d turn up or if she’d cancel. We had lots on conversations and emails. One of my favourites was from Estelle saying Blimey! You are determined!

What started out as a fairly normal conversation about booking her headshots session turned into a mission to show Estelle that she could have great photos, that she was photogenic (although I don’t believe in photogenic as a concept) and that, with the right photographer, the experience of being photographed could actually be a fun thing to do. I wanted to achieve two things with Estelle’s session. Obviously I wanted to capture a great set of images for her to use. That was the day bit. But I wanted her to go away having had fun making the photos together and to have a set of photos that she actually liked. I also wanted her to see the Estelle that we all see. And I think very few of us see ourselves as the world sees us so that was really important for me.

We finally did the shoot at Spaces at Ropewalks in Liverpool in September. I just took one light, a nice big round softbox and ditched the tripod. I wanted to keep things moving, quick and really fluid so hand held shots were the way to go. I shot all the first set with a 50mm lens at f2.8 which gave a really soft look to the photos but kept Estelle’s face in focus. In the final part of the shoot where Estelle has her hair up, we were sat outside one of my favourite cafes, The Quarter in Faulkner Street just off Hope Street in Liverpool I just used natural light. The sky was overcast so the ambient light was really soft and perfect for environmental portrait photography. I didn’t even need a reflector.

A couple of weeks after the session I sent Estelle the proofs and was very relieved that she liked them and enjoyed the experience too. And she was happy to contribute to a blog post about her session. Here’s what she had to say:

Smile! How I Survived My Author Photoshoot (and Actually Enjoyed It)

Let me start with a confession: I am not happy in front of the camera. Oh, I know you are probably sitting there saying, “But you take so many selfies, Estelle,” which is true. But no one sees the sheer amount of photos I will take to find the one that I will post, or the amount of selfies that never make a post and head to the graveyard with other inferior shots. I’m not photogenic or one of life’s great beauties, so I was scared a professional would highlight all of my flaws even more.

So, when photographer Andrew Collier suggested doing a photoshoot to show authors from TAUK Publishing how approachable, relaxed portraits could help promote their books, I felt pure dread. Hence, why it took two years for him to finally get me in front of him and his fancy lenses.

But, like all good stories, it turns out that what began as a nerve-wracking experience ended up being unexpectedly fun and full of laughter.

The Lead-Up: Pre-Shoot Panic
As the day approached, my internal monologue sounded like a game show hosted by my own insecurities.
-What should I wear? (I took a suitcase in the end, full of clothes.)
Do I look better smiling or pretending to be serious and mysterious?
Should I bring props? A book? A coffee? A bottle of wine? (The last one would not have been in frame, but happily swirling around my unconfident brain.)
I even half-considered emailing Andrew to cancel on the day.

Meeting Andrew: The Calm Before the Clicks
From the moment I arrived, Andrew made everything feel easy. He has one of those calm, friendly energies that instantly puts you at ease, a bit like a decent Pornstar Martini. We chatted first, and it wasn’t the rushed, “Okay, stand there, chin up, smile” kind of session. I told him the truth: I felt sick with nerves. He laughed, said that was completely normal, and reassured me that everyone, yes, even the confident, feels awkward at first. His trick is to connect with you. That’s when I relaxed a bit. Not completely, but enough to stop wishing I was wearing a paper bag on my head.

The Magic Behind the Lens
Andrew never rushed and he never made me feel silly. If anything, he made me laugh so much that half the photos caught me mid-giggle.

Why Authors Need Good Photos
At TAUK Publishing, we often tell our authors that a professional headshot isn’t just vanity; it’s part of your brand. Readers love connecting with the person behind the story. A good photo in your bio, website, or social media helps build that connection instantly. But here’s the thing: a great author photo isn’t about looking glamorous or posed. It’s about authenticity. You want readers to think, “I’d love to have a chat with that person,” not “Are they auditioning for America’s Next Top Model?”

A Few Tips for Nervous Authors
If you’re thinking about getting your author photos done (and you should), here are a few things I learned:
Trust your photographer. A good one, like Andrew, knows what works.
Wear what makes you feel confident. Comfort shows on camera.
Don’t overthink it. Some of the best shots happen when you’re laughing.
Bring your personality.
Relax. Easier said than done, but honestly, it’s not half as scary as you think.

Final Thoughts
If you’re an author who dreads having your photo taken, I get it. Truly.
But here’s my honest advice: find Andrew!
He’s patient, talented, endlessly good-humoured, and has a knack for helping even the most camera-shy among us look natural and confident. I went in feeling nervous and came away feeling confident.

So yes, you can survive a photoshoot. You might even, dare I say, enjoy it. And if you see me smiling confidently in my new headshots, just remember: that’s the look of someone who finally learned that being in front of the professional camera doesn’t have to be terrifying.

Sometimes, with the right photographer, it can even be fun.