This goes deeper than optics. My new author photo reflects shifts in my heart, spirit, and future—a reclaiming of sincerity in a world ruled by irony.

There comes a time when one's old photo needs updating.

But what happens when your choice isn't understood?

Two photos of Alyssa Charpentier: one of her holding a rose in a white leather jacket and looking straight at the camera, one of her standing with crossed arms in a red dress — *A tale of two author photos*

One of these photos is my updated author headshot. It carries the unique responsibility of representing me to the world—readers, reviewers, editors, and casual online passersby. I chose it more intuitively than most probably would.

And I reaped the consequences for sharing it.

Shortly after posting the face-forward photo on the left, people critiqued its apparent over-glamorous, overly stylized quality, reminiscent of 1980s portraits. I was advised to ditch the rose, tone down the intensity, and not stare so directly into the camera.

These critiques stung. I respect differing opinions—not everyone will grasp an artistic vision. But these comments struck me personally and viscerally because they felt like a rejection of me, not just my photography.

However, this incident provided the perfect opportunity to convey my creative vision and intentions to both current and potential readers. To reclaim and assert my identity as a writer and explore the exciting, life-altering undercurrents of this photo.

A Tale of Two Photos

So, if that rose photo isn't just a photo, what was really happening when I snapped it?

Before I divulge, let's compare my two would-be author shots.

Alyssa Charpentier in a red dress with arms crossed, looking at the camera with an aloof expression — *The half-body shot*

This photo represents ideal technical composition and professional posture. As a half-body shot, it displays a minimalistic, elegantly straightforward outfit (a blood-red dress without accessory), a swipe of red lipstick—chic, polished—and appropriately closed-off, even authoritative posture (crossed arms, slightly splayed hands).

The response to this one? Enthusiastic and affirming.

Now, we'll revisit the rose image.

Alyssa Charpentier in a white leather jacket holding a red rose and looking straight at the camera — *A “lesser” image?*

It's straight-on, intent-filled, and direct. I clutch a rose in my hand from a small bouquet I'd purchased for myself "just because"—I love roses and wanted to add something romantic and beautiful to my space. And as I posed for the camera, a gust of wind lifted a strand of my hair at the exact right moment. I tapped the photo button, immortalizing the scene, and the rest is history.

A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

I understand that most people would probably advocate for or prefer the more professional-looking half-body shot. And why not? It's clean, stripped back, and emotionally distant: an exemplary representation of our minimalistic, image-driven modern world.

But what if I told you I'm holding back tears in that photo? That I felt none of the creativity, goodwill, or existential vibrance I normally do?

I felt stiff. Restrained. And admittedly, I was a bit upset when I posed for it.

The Revelation

Back to the rose photo.

My inner world there tells an entirely different story from the technically superior image. It contains a revelation I never anticipated or asked for, displaying how full I felt—near to bursting—with a newfound love and tenderness born from that awakening.

This photo captured a fresh and overwhelming desire kindled in me from Above: my longing to be a mother.

To those who know me, this might seem incredible or like some cosmic fluke. Alyssa, proudly independent, lover of peace and solitude… a mother? Not just a wife?

Yes, Alyssa—who always swore otherwise—now wants to be a mother. And it's in that kitschy rose photo, where I'm facing the world head-on, that I'm thinking of my future husband and child(ren) with the deepest love I've ever felt in my life.

It's where I'm thinking about people who aren't a part of my world yet but are already with me in spirit. It's the image of a girl who has finally, and truly, become a woman. Who aches to fill the empty spaces in her life with a loving partnership and family.

The revelation was quite fresh when I took that picture. So fresh that I carried a constant ache in my chest throughout that day, so that everywhere I went and anytime I caught my gaze in a mirror or camera, I saw my future staring back at me.

Suddenly, all the loneliness I've ever carried shrank. I can now fit it in my hand instead of the other way around. It had—has—an expiration date. And this promise stirred something that, for those first few days, showed on my face.

A Vision of the Future

So… is that rose picture just a clichéd, overly earnest glamour shot to some? Perhaps. But it's not to me. To me, it's a timely snapshot of a new and expanded version of Alyssa Charpentier. A version who wants to create more than art, but life. (Is there any greater creation than that?)

I'm holding a promise in that photo. I'm offering well wishes and love to the people in my future I already care for. It doesn't matter that they don't know me or that one or several of them don't exist yet; my love for them does. That is real enough.

And nothing I've ever experienced has been as real as this.

Which Photo is My Official New

Author Image?

I deliberated at first. To conform or not to conform?

If I picked the rose photo, I'd have a guaranteed mixed reception; the other one promised a shield from scrutiny.

I've chosen to risk it.

I won't use the "good" photo just because it's more polished—not when the other one captures my heart. And while I could recreate the rose photo less stylistically—with less "cringe" and more modern fashion sense—I don't want to. The image you see here, rose and all, is me contending with my newness as a person.

Sincerity in an Ironic World

It reflects a deepening sincerity and personal expansion in a world that prizes irony and cynicism over what's real.

Society teaches that intelligence presents as satire or sarcasm. It makes us believe that being "cool" is being aloof. I take a different approach: saying what I mean and meaning what I say. It's the most radical and necessary thing I can do as a creative and a human being.

The rose? It's less a prop and more an extension of love and goodwill toward my future family. Culture recognizes roses as the "love flower." As I progress into my next phase of creative life—which just so happens to involve writing and publishing a (dark) romantic novel—I need an updated image to reflect my updated calling and sense of self.

I want my child(ren) to know that their mother loved them enough to honor their futures with a picture showing her love for them, and that she didn't shy away from expressing that on the back covers of her books. Instead, she's proud to be vulnerable because it aligns with who she is.

What This Means for My Writing

My greatest strength as a writer is not clever turns of phrase, figurative language, character creation, world-building, development of sophisticated magic systems, or even originality—it's sincerity. Earnestness and authenticity motivate everything I do and certainly everything I create.

Sincerity is the promise I offer you.

If you're tired of apathy, posturing, cool, bravado-filled detachedness, and endless streams of snarky witticisms, you've come to the right place. I build from an honest foundation. Sincerity drives all I create. It marks my visual representation as well.

If you're looking for:

Stories that unflinchingly explore the human condition
Nuanced and colorful emotional landscapes
Achingly human characters
Genre fiction filled with moral weight and drama (that frequently blends genres)
Pop culture & travel essays that authentically explore the good, great, and not-so-great in people, places, and art
Real stories and opinions penned for people, not peers or praise
Emotional and cerebral/analytical writing
A generous serving of love blended into everything an author writes

Welcome. I'd be honored to explore the journey of human existence together, not from a platform of perfectionism, dry intellectualism, and performative snark, but from a deep desire to care, explore, and provide something genuine.

To My Offspring

I love you. I can't wait to meet you. And I can't wait to show you the love in my eyes when you see the backs of my next books.

You're worth it.

When Your Author Photo Reflects Your Soul: A Personal Manifesto