Image Inspiration

[dragonsinger]

So I've reached the point in my new YA where I need faces for my main characters. My main characters are fifteen, therefore I need faces that look young enough to be fifteen. Usually, this is not a problem, and for several of the characters, it won't be. But I'm going to have a hard time finding Dani

Comments

[elanurel]

Have you tried any stockphoto websites? I've been really successful with finding a face for my characters that way.

[dragonsinger]

I have not. Oh, you sent me a link one time, and I think I've lost it. Can you send it again?

[elanurel]

This is the one I use the most:

http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php

I've found every major character I've written there, with the exception of Penny Hillsworth - who was, quite honestly, a picture from a photographer's portfolio.

And I did manage to find the picture of a sixteen-year-old girl when my protagonist was, in fact, a sixteen-year-old girl. ;)

[dragonsinger]

Oh, awesome. I'm off to peruse.:)

[dejla]

Hmmm. If you can get by with a general look, then that's one option.

If you don't need a picture for reference, you could just go to the mall, get a cup of coffee, sit somewhere, and YA-watch until you see a girl who stands out to you as the one. You're likely to get a bigger variety (ooh, that wasn't intentional, I swear), and you might find a face that's more compelling to you.

[dragonsinger]

I need a pic. I'm a visual kind of person (and i like to make icons and manips when i procrastinate. ;)).

[dejla]

I do know what you mean, although sometimes I can remember the faces I see well enough to use them.

Hmm. What about Nickelodeon shows? Some of the older ones get replayed and some of them weren't all Disney Mousekeeters. Or maybe look up the old kids' show Zoom? I think they had more unusual actors.

And possibly check out Canadian and UK shows.

[dragonsinger]

All good ideas.:) The search continues.

[larah33]

Your description immediately brings America Ferrera as Ugly Betty to mind. Though not the age you're looking for, you could use Betty's pic in a pinch?

[dragonsinger]

Not the ethnicity either, but I see where you're going with this.:)

[majorsamfan]

That was my first thought.

What about Nikki Blonsky? or a young Rikki Lake?

[majorsamfan]

Here's a photo of Nikki
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/08/02/article-1040772-0115AF9B000004B0-380_468x685.jpg

[joyfulfeather]

How about Mae Whitman?

[dragonsinger]

Hmmm...she's a little skinnier than what I have in mind, but she could work. Very good eyes.

[majorsamfan]

She's not *that* skinny. At least she dresses pretty frumpy on Parenthood.

[dragonsinger]

True. The more I look at her pictures, the more I like her.:) Her face matches my image of Dani perfectly.

[majorsamfan]

What about the heavier gal from Facts of Life - kind of dated, I know, but she had brown hair.

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3264649728/nm0169934

[majorsamfan]

Facts of Life gallery on google images:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photos/facts01sm.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sitcomsonline.com/folpictures.html&usg=__09B8IszpLpsolge0BYO5C-xS3CI=&h=400&w=319&sz=29&hl=en&start=14&sig2=icFyskJvXfZD-yaTgQOdFg&itbs=1&tbnid=Nl2ckIWriXinHM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=99&prev=/images%3Fq%3DMindy%2BCohn%26hl%3Den%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=msjES5q2B5D6_AbivtScDg

[dragonsinger]

I love Mindy Cohn, but she's a little dated. Thank you, though.:)