As you can see, I had the photo shoot, and I have to thank you all again for the group therapy you gave me when I wibbled out about having my picture taken. It really did help. I got my head together at about the same time the opportunity to have some shots by the wonderful Harry Duns came up, so fortune does indeed smile upon the brave.
Harry is a lovely chap and made me feel at ease immediately. He also has very good taste – hence all those great Steampunk pictures in his portfolio, so when I told him the shots were for the publisher of my dystopian YA novel he didn’t just give me a blank expression. He likes the genre and was excited for me too, hooray!
I had a terrific urge to giggle throughout. A part of me felt ridiculous – I mean, having professional photos done? Me? Get out of town!
But then I remembered that it was to go in my book. My book! Then I got so excited I wanted to giggle again. That cycle repeated about a hundred times…
It was surreal experience. I took one of my favourite apocalyptic novels with me (The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham), and my favourite tea cup for moral support, and one of the shots with the book made the grade as you can see. This is my favourite, probably because you see more of the book than me 
Maybe I’ll have a similar shot done with my book when it comes out.
So there you go; a decent picture of me, who’d have thought it was possible? Big thanks to the lovely Harry Duns again, and to Mick Dickinson who arranged the shoot.
What do you think?
Yes, a photo of you holding your book would be just perfect. Great pics, Em. I’m really glad you enjoyed the experience in the end.
Oh, Em, you look absolutely fabulous! So glad you did this, despite your fears, and happy it was a giggly experience.
The photos look great, congrats!
Fantastic. I’m so proud of you.
The picture of you reading is perfect. For me it works because of your eyes – they’re glinting with what I hear in your words: intelligence, wit, humour, plus a smidgeon or two of darkness…
Well done! [And just how is it that you look younger than your previous photo?]
You look great! We’re all very proud of you, brave woman, heh.
I agree with Sam that a shot with your book is a perfect idea. You could even use it as avatar all over.
Great pics, beautifully done and I love your excitement! Congratulations
(I’ve read quite a bit of Wyndham – my favourite so far is The Chrysalids, and I’ll have to give The Kraken Wakes a try soon, thanks for the ‘nudge’).
I love the book shot too, but the top photo of you is gorgeous! I would pick that one for your book.
They came out well. You’re a lot more photogenic than you think.
I agree Laura! I’m thinking of internet presence for the book one. The first is better for the actual book, as you say.
Terrific photos, Emma. Good work!
Looking good, Emma! It’s in perfect style and wonderful presentation for a dust jacket! Keep writing so I can keep reading!
Beautiful pictures Emma. Nicely done.
Great photos. The top one will look great on your book.
They’re fabulous! The first dark, glamorous and sophisticated; the second bright, relevant, quirky and ever-so-slightly mysterious.
I love them both, and particularly the way that in the second one, the book cover echoes your skin tone and eye colour. And by the way, with those hands, you could probably do hand commercials!
Well done Em for facing your fears on this and coming out on top. So pleased it was a fun experience for you.
They’ve captured you very well indeed, you look lovely!
(Jumping up and down with glee)
They’re great, Em! That first one is just gorgeous. And the second one, you just have that twinkle we all know and love. Mr. Duns does indeed know what he’s doing.
I agree that a picture of you with YOUR book would be most excellent, too.
So proud of you! And happy that that turned out to be just a good experience for you. xx
Wow, Emma, they are fantastic. I love the one with you all in black – very retro french. The one with the book is mysterious and a bit cute – if it weren’t for the booktitle. He is good, isn’t he? But only as good as the model….
Wow, thanks everyone! You really are the best blog readers in the world. Well, my world anyway!
@ Joanna – I’ll have to remember what you’ve said – I like the sound of all those qualities
@Ryan – Do I? Well, I’ve lost over 15 pounds in weight between the two. The end of post-natal depression does wonders for the figure. Maybe that came across? Actually, maybe it’s the lack of the depression. Hmmm….
@Caroline – Hand commercials? I think that wins the prize for the strangest thing I have ever thought of in association with my hands! I inherit these from my maternal grandmother. Not the exact same ones of course (felt need to clarify, considering the kind of stories I write)
Ah, I shall float off to the kettle now, and have a cup of tea in your honour, you fabulous shining people you xxx
It was a pleasure working with you Emma, you didn’t come across as nervous or tense at all
It’d be great to do a shot with you sometime in post-apocalyptic get-up, I’m thinking Tina Turner in Max Max Beyond the Thunderdrome…
I have a few other photos that you might like – I should definitely try to sort out one featuring your beloved tea cup!
Harry
@Harry – now I know I can do it, I’d love to do another shoot when the book has come out. As my lovelies have suggested here and on Twitter, the second one but with *my* book would be ace!
As for Tina Turner post-apocalyptic style costume: bring. it. on. Yeah baby! (she was the one who wore the little guy on her shoulders right?
)
Hi Em You are looking great and we agree that the first one is perfect for the cover. Don’t know why you were ever worried. If you have your next shoot in September you should have a slight tan as well!!
What do you think?
You’re still the second most gorgeous woman in the world.
Perhaps more relevantly, those should make great publicity shots. The right mix of friendly and serious to give the appropriate authorly air.
The photos look great! I’m so jealous. I’m going to achieve the same dream someday.
You are very, very pretty so I like to see your whole face. The top one is my fave. The book idea is cute too but I love seeing the real you, the relaxed arms and beautiful hands. Sweet but sophisticated.
I can’t wait to get my hands on the first printed edition.
Em, I have to agree with Diana. The picture of you without the book is much better. In fact, it’s so good, I think I’ll draw a beard on it and use if for my own book covers. (No-one will ever know.)
Oh great photos Emma – both!
Congratulations! The photos look great!
Those are great pictures, I really like them!
Of course the one without the book covering half of your face would be excellent to go with your book. Even though I like the other one too – it kind of reflects how you would like the world to, well, see you, doesn’t it?
I’m taken back in time, remembering the picture you used as avatar when I first, er, met you on Twitter. I’m still convinced that switching it to the current one was a giant leap ahead. In its own special way. In the end there are only few occasions when we are given the opportunity to show the world the face we would like to be the one to be seen.
Well, now you have a lot of choices at hand. Great pictures, and great that you had them taken! Congratulations!
No contest Emma. The top one is perfect. Professional and sophisticated with no props. Good luck.
[...] Newman, the Bristol author who had her portrait taken by Harry, has written a fascinating description of her [...]
Congratulations Em – they are stunning pics.
Hooray – it was so wonderful to pic up your tweets earlier in the week when this was all about to happen. I’m so glad it turned out to be such an enjoyable experience for you xxx
Looking forward perhaps to having a couple of new pics of you on the CW site
And time to update your profile pics?
Oh, they’re fabulous!!!
These are amazing!
That’s a big ‘woo hoo’ from me.
Fabulous photos. You look great.
Everyone else has already said it, but great photos Emma! Casual but glam at the same time. Warm and approachable, which is a good way to present for a writer.
Look how beautiful you are!!
LOVE ‘EM!! The book one is adorable but you look SOOOO glam in the black bg pic!! I’m so glad you went through with it! Worth it!
Sorry late to th eshow, work has been insane. Great photos, you deserve so much. Congrats Em. -Carrie