Now that indie publishing is becoming so popular and easy to do, we as writers are always on the lookout for lovely photos to put on the covers of our books, on our web pages and in our blogs.
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| Saguaro National Park by Linda Needham |
Not only do we need lovely photos, but we are always on the look out for graphic artist to put those lovely photos into a format for covers.
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| By Linda Needham |
As most of you know, I’m wintering in an RV resort in Tucson and while here, met a lovely artist. Linda Needham is a photographer and is gifted with a talent for capturing nature’s beauty.
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| By Linda Needham |
Linda has some spectacular photography, some of which I will share with you today and others can be seen on her webpage.
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| Blue and black swallowtail By Linda Needham |
I hired Linda last year to take photos for my webpage and personal photos for my bio pages and profile pictures for social media. You might remember the blog I posted where I asked you to help me choose which photos to use.
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| Arizona Sunrise By Linda Needham |
Here is what her bio says on her webpage.
Linda Needham is a freelance photographer living in Tucson, Arizona. Her career began in 2001 when she lived and worked at Glacier National Park. This experience awakened her dream of becoming a nature and wildlife photographer, making it a reality. Linda has traveled the country, exploring new vistas and capturing the beauty of America. In 2007, she worked with Arizona Highways Photographer Henry Holdsworth at his photo workshop “Yellowstone In Winter” and it changed her life.
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| By Linda Needham |
Linda continues to refine her craft as she dives deeper into her artistry while discovering new paths for her creativity. The transformative nature of her work truly sets her apart from others in her field.
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| By Linda Needham |
Linda has photographed majestic wolves returning from a hunt, hummingbirds in flight and at play, night-blooming flowers, scenic panoramas, the quiet beauty of everyday living and gorgeous desert sunsets. Her extensive portfolio is available here on her website.
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| By Linda Needham |
Don’t you love to read about other artists? Do you notice a similarity between her art of photography and ours of writing?
• She continues to refine her craft.
• She brings to her viewers images of wildlife, nature and breathtaking settings.
• She portrays everyday life.
Don’t we do the same thing with our words? Art is art. I love it.
As an indie author, I have used photography from other sources as well. There are many reputable sources such as Bigstock, Shutterstock, and others. Be sure when you use any photos, you either have permission to use them and/or have purchased them for use.
Many photos can be used on a webpage or blog post if given credit. For example Linda gave me permission to use these photos in our blog. But if I wanted to use one on a book cover or for an item that is for sale, I would need to purchase the rights to use it. Linda does sell the rights for use of her photos and you can find that on her webpage called lindasgardensanctuary.com
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| Migrating Cranes By Linda Needham |
I have also purchased some of her lovely photos to hang on my wall in the motorhome. She does a fantastic job of framing them and sold them at the craft fair in the resort. They are really beautiful desert scenes that remind me of home when I’m traveling. smile
Most publishers, including Amazon, want assurances that you have the rights to the photos they are going to publish in your name. So be sure and do your homework and obtain the rights to use the photos in whatever venue you choose.
If you have graphic art skills, you can use the photos to create your own cover. Yankee Belle chef Mary Jane Hathaway makes her own covers. She told us how she learned photoshop in her Yankee Belle post last Saturday.
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| Mary Jane's fifth book in the Cane River Romance series is up for preorder and at a special .99 until release day! Book One is FREE. |
I do not, so I hire a graphic artist to do that for me. (I am not jealous. I am not jealous. I am not jealous)
However, in the past, I’ve been fortunate to hire wonderful graphic artists.
Lena Goldfinch designed the covers for Love’s Miracles, Love’s Refuge and Love’s Promises. Lena doesn’t do graphic art any more because she is writing her own novels. I really loved her work.
I met Debra Lewis of Arenapublishing at the Society for Southwestern Authors meeting and she designed Love’s Dream Song. Because I thought it was so well done, I entered this in the cover art contest Judge A Book By Its Cover of the Houston Bay Area RWA chapter. It didn’t place. Sigh. But it’s a winner in my eyes. smile
Speaking of that contest, Kim Killion designed the cover art for the Seeker anthologies and two of her covers won in that contest. Here is the link of the winners. JABBIC Just be warned that covers for all genres are showing in the winner announcement. Kim’s covers are in the short contemporary category.
Here are some of the covers Kim Killion designed for us.
If any of you have sources for photography and/or cover graphic artists, please share their links with us. It is always wise to have a list on hand in case you need photographs or covers.
Thanks for joining us today. All who comment will be eligible for a drawing for a beautiful set of note cards printed by Linda Needham with her photography of birds. Winner will also be able to choose an autographed copy of one of my novels.
Sandra will be signing books at the famous Tucson Festival of Books held on the University of Arizona campus, March 12-13th. If you are in the area, be sure and stop by.
Don't forget that next month is SPEEDBO. Be sure and sign up and get that next book written. Find details here.
