By platform
Author bio photo
An author photo is a marketing asset that outlives the book. It is on the jacket, the Amazon page, the press kit and every interview for the next decade.
What publishers ask for
Publishers usually want a high-resolution image, delivered as a file rather than a link, suitable for print at a decent size — which means at least 1000 px on the short side and preferably more, in colour and often also in black and white.
They also want it to look like the author. A heavily retouched photo that does not match the person on a book tour is a problem, and publishers increasingly ask for something natural over something polished.
- High resolution — 1000 px minimum on the short side, larger for print.
- Colour, plus a black-and-white version if the design may use one.
- Delivered as a file, not a link to a social profile.
- A plain or lightly textured background that suits the book's design.
The look that ages well
Author photos are used for years, so the clothing should be timeless rather than current: a plain shirt, a jacket, a knit. The same logic applies to the background — a plain wall or a soft, neutral setting survives a decade of reuse better than a styled scene.
The pose convention is slightly more contemplative than a corporate headshot. Looking directly at the lens with a relaxed, unforced expression is the version that works across genres, from thrillers to non-fiction.
- Plain, timeless clothing; no logos or slogans.
- A neutral background that suits a range of book designs.
- Direct gaze, relaxed expression, no theatrical poses.
- Black and white version for literary and non-fiction jackets.
Producing one without a photographer
Writers are usually photographing themselves, at home, under whatever light the desk offers — which is why so many author photos look like webcam stills. A window, a plain wall and a steady camera fix most of it.
AI Headshot Pro: Zenith Studio produces portrait sets including a black-and-white style, so the colour and monochrome versions publishers ask for come from the same set of source photos.
How it works
Three steps from a phone photo to a finished image
Upload your photos
Six to ten selfies with different angles and expressions.
Pick a style
Business, editorial, black and white, cinematic — or a profession set.
Download the set
A consistent batch of portraits, ready for your profile.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What size should an author photo be?
At least 1000 px on the short side, and larger if it will be printed. Publishers usually want a high-resolution file delivered directly rather than a link, and often a black-and-white version as well.
What should an author wear in a photo?
Plain, timeless clothing — a shirt, a jacket or a knit — in a neutral colour. Author photos are reused for years, so anything tied to a particular season or trend dates the image quickly.
Should an author photo look serious?
Composed rather than serious. A direct gaze with a relaxed, unforced expression works across genres; theatrical poses and severe expressions date badly and read as staged.
Can I take my own author photo?
Yes. Face a window, use a plain wall as a background, keep the camera steady and shoot at eye level. That produces an image suitable for a jacket, and an AI app can generate a consistent set in colour and black and white.
Try it on your next photo
Free to download on the App Store. iPhone and iPad only.