I had the privilege of photographing Author, Tomás Mandl, who has written a unique book, Modern Paraguay: Uncovering South America’s Best Kept Secret. The book is published by McFarland Books and available for pre-order on Amazon.com. Tomás and his family were visiting relatives here in Southern Oregon and we had headshots scheduled during their visit.
Headshot photography is not always as simple as capturing a good head and shoulder composition with complimentary light and angle. A GREAT headshot should be captured along with personality, purpose, and a hint of your intent.
For instance, the purpose of these headshots for Tomás was to depict his ability to have researched and written this in-depth book on Paraguay. While the photography backdrop choices were a park or downtown, we opted for choices in both with a top change. All three of these shots could be used on different social media and print media platforms to build the personality profile of who Tomás is as a person and as a trusted Author.
In addition to backdrop and outfits, capturing someone with versatile expressions can very much so help with portraying the message to the viewer. While Tomás is a likable, easy-going, happy guy, he might choose a more serious low-key smile for his Author Profile based on his audience and how he should be seen as an expert.
I find it interesting how a lot of Authors skimp on this one tiny detail of getting a halfway decent headshot. I find it very disappointing to read a good book only to see the photo of the author makes me feel bleh about them. Perhaps because I am a photographer I put too much emphasis on the need for a decent headshot. 😆 At the end of the day, it’s like getting shot, it can be quick and painless! Just get it done, and be sure to get a photographer who will be able to coach you with variety so that you have some versatile looks for your overall online and print media profile(s).
Paraguay has been called the least-known country in Latin America, an island surrounded by land, and the “South American Tibet.” For many years, foreign writers and journalists described it as an enigmatic land where peculiar people endured calamities and Nazis sought refuge. Tomas Mandl spent 2016 to 2020 traveling through the country, meeting leading minds, and sifting through data. Drawing on more than 40 interviews with historians, political scientists, economists, journalists, and diplomats, this book provides a timely assessment of Paraguay’s strengths, challenges, and developmental outlook, and their implications for the world.
– Amazon Description Excerpt
I can’t wait to check out this book when it’s available in June 2021. I am not certain I will ever travel to Paraguay in my lifetime, but I do love the opportunity to learn new things about places I may have otherwise overlooked. To consider that someone would dedicate so much of their life and energy to researching and writing about a place, makes me feel the need to discover the gems of why they were so passionate about doing so.
