As I’m about to edit my first anthology, it occurred to me that perhaps I should have some proper author photos taken, rather than continuing to use a photo taken two years ago in a hotel bathroom using a camera phone. Luckily, I know quite a few excellent photographers, and one of them, Jim Parker of James R. Parker Photography, was happy to take a few shots at my favorite local park for a reasonable price. Here are my favorites:
I chose not to wear Steampunk because, though I love Steampunk dearly, I don’t want to be pigeonholed as a Steampunk author. I might regret that choice later, but hey, I can always have new pictures taken.
So, dear reader, which one do you think I should use for dust jackets and promotional pictures and user icons and the like?
Sarah Hans 
I like the last two the best. If I had to pick only one… number 4.
Thanks Bill! I like that one too!
Amusingly, opinions seem to be divided between 3 and 4!
Agreed about the last two being my favorites, though I would pick #3 over #4 by a bit.
These are all wonderful. (You are so pretty!) I’d go with the last one. The expression is great and your necklace isn’t off center.
Thanks Meredith! I appreciate the compliment–I’ve lost a little weight and weirdly I’m actually less happy with how my face looks. Which is totally counter-intuitive. I think I just have to get used to my face being different.
Ooh, these are nice! My faces are 2 and 4.
Your pics look great Sarah! If I was the one making the call, I would pick the third one down. Your smile is always pretty, but in my humble opinion that is the best shot of your pearly grin! The expression is more relaxed and therefore more conversational. I would crop that photo a bit closer to your face. Yes, I know the necklace is off-center. If you crop the photo it like a real-estate agent’s head-shot then I don’t think that anyone will be able to tell.
Great pics, Sarah. I vote for the 2nd one down.