Happy New Year!
Usually, my first post of the year outlines my goals for myself. I caught a weird virus on January 1st (I swear it wasn’t a hangover), and now my husband has it, so I haven’t even had time to think of goals beyond trying to take care of him and keep our baby (now with more crawling!) from getting sick.
So, forget goals. Let’s look at pictures! My current author photo was taken a year ago, when I was five months pregnant. I’ve lost some weight since then, so I hired my brilliant friend Lauren to take some portraits of me. I have to choose one, and I need your help to do it.
(P.S. Big shout-out to Lauren Natalie Photography. She’s based in San Diego but lives to travel. If you have a wedding, baby or portrait you want photographed, check out her website. I seriously hate having my picture taken, and Lauren had me laughing the whole time.)
So here are the options. If you have a favorite or two, please leave a comment. Also, Lauren can fix colors and stuff like that, so if you see one where you think, “Kat, you look svelte and gorgeous and like you hardly touched any Christmas cookies, but the light behind you is too bright,” then tell me that (especially the part about being svelte).
Ready? Here we go!
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Option 5
Option 6
Do you have any favorites? Please let me know. Thank you so much for your help. And I hope you all had wonderful holidays!
I like #4.
One and/or three.
Oh gosh they all look fantastic Kat!!! I thought Option #1 first but option #3 and #4 was also gorgeous~!!!! I love #3 because of the big beautiful smile~ 🙂
So it’s war between Option #3 and Option #1 for me!!!
I’m with Janet. One and/or Three. 🙂 They’re all beautiful, though.
I really like #1 and #2… the lighting on the one side of your hair in #2 is really pretty.
I prefer #1 but they’re all great!
Oh my gosh, Kat! No wonder you’re having a hard time choosing–they’re ALL phenomenal. Seriously, some of the best author pics I’ve seen. 🙂
My favorites–as far as looking like the in-person YOU and reflecting your energy and beauty–are 1, 2, and 6. I’d probably say 1 is in first place, 6 is in second place, 2 is in 3rd place, then 4, 3, and 5. They’re all gorgeous though. Congratulations! 🙂
This comment makes you my new favorite person. 🙂 Thank you! Blushing here. 🙂
Ha! My work here is done. 🙂
great pics!! I like 3 because of the personality that comes through, like you are right there chatting with me and then 6, the background is very nice as is your smile. My daughter just then this with me when we were in Oregon. FElt like I was on a photo shoot
I really liked number one. It stood out the most to me. 2, 5 and 6 looked too stiff. 3, your complexion is a little off.
Gorgeous photos! I think my favorite is #1
I like #3 but they’re all really good!
I like number one, but they’re all great!
First of all, let me say you are very photogenic so you can’t go wrong with any of these pictures. Having said that, my favorites are #1, 3 and 4. Cheers!
4 or 3, in that order.
Going strictly off of my first impressions, I like #1 the best. It just kind of caught my eye (in a good way). Can’t go wrong with any of them though.
They’re all great, but I loved #1 the most. I think it shows a casual, but confident, side of you.
I think they are all adorable. But if you have to choose just one, I like #3 or #4 the best.
Maybe you should just roll a dice 10 times and pick whichever number comes up the most. But seriously there is no wrong choice!
I like option 1!
Option #1. It looks more natural.
Option 3!
Happy New Year Kat, sorry to hear you all were sick, no fun at all. I like Option 3 and 4. Basically I don’t like the ones where your arms are crossed. They give me the feeling that you are hiding, uptight or nervous or something when in realty you are very good at what you do and should stand confident. From those 2 it would be just what look you want to portray. #3 gives me the feeling you are relaxed and approachable where #4 is just a little bit more formal. You could use both in different ways, one for your web site, etc and the other on your books. Anyway that is my opinion.
Hope your all feeling better,
Peni
I love three because you’re smizing! 😀
I LOVE number 3! That gets my vote, hands down. Go 3!!! 😀
Option 1! 🙂
Favourite 3 or 6 simply perfect and you look extremely good on them
You look beautiful in all of them. My favourite is #1, but it has a little too much light on the right side.
You look so pretty. My fav is #1.
How was your Christmas with your little girl?
Happy New Year to you all the blog readers.
Christmas was wonderful! Thanks for asking. How was your Christmas? Hope you had a fantastic day!
#1 really stands out as the best. It’s natural and sophisticated — and you look very healthy and fit!
Hope everyone is your family is well again soon!
#1
I don’t know you in person, so I can’t speak to personality. I do agree with everybody who said they’re all good—I honestly didn’t feel even meh about any of them. But (and I’m projecting my own neuroses here, sorry!) the angle of #1 is the most flattering for your face shape, the smile is sweet and natural, and the position is very inviting. I agree a little with Peni Ann with the standing photos with your arms folded, but sitting with your arms on your knees in #1 says “Hey, come sit and talk to me!”
I hope everyone feels better soon!
I like 1, 3 and 4 equally 🙂
They are ALL beautiful, but I think I like the backdrop and super professional yet friendly facial expression of #2, however, I like the more closeup view in #3 and #4 which really zeroes in on you as the subject (less arms and hands). Can #2 be cropped a bit for that head and shoulders action?
You’re not going to go wrong picking any of them, promise!!! What’s not to love?
Thank you all so much for your help and your lovely comments! So tough to decide…Hopefully I’ll be able to make up my mind by Monday. Your comments have all been really helpful!
Aw, Kat. You’re so lovely <3 All great shots – you're photogenic. I hope you picked #1. You look "sparkly," as my 7yo daughter would say. You also look like you're keeping a secret.
Love the pictures! You are absolutely beautiful. My favorite one is the one, but I like number 2 as well.
Kisses and love
Very much love to you, too!