Behind the Scenes: Out of the Ruins Photo Shoot

Many months ago, the cover design team did a photo shoot for two covers, Whisper Goodbye by Myra Johnson, and Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett. I featured Myra's cover on a previous blog, and my promise to do the same for Karen is long overdue.

Out of the Ruins is an engaging historical romance set in 1906 San Francisco, before, during, and after the earthquake that devastated the city. The dramatic tale of a young woman who tries to save her family--and the young doctor who desperately wants to save everybody--will capture your heart.

We hired Jason Dodson of Create Images to shoot the cover model, Christa Redd, who works here at the publishing house. (One of the pluses of working here? Being featured on a book cover! Abingdon Fiction Trivia: This is Christa's second cover, having been previously featured on The Narrow Path by Gail Sattler.)

Jason's hair and make-up artists, with some carefully chosen costumes, transformed Christa into Abby, our brave and unforgettable heroine.

Here Jason instructs Christa/Abby on different ways to express a variety of emotions: anger, sadness, desperation. People's faces express these in different ways, and one of Jason's gifts is show people how to use thoughts, muscle tightening, stance, etc., to transform their expressions into what "reads" as certain emotions. 

And the blue bowl provides the right line of sight.

Lights are hot! Krista needs a touch up. 

Jason took almost 100 different shots, and we narrowed them down to two: one headshot and one three-quarters.

And in the end, the headshot won out. Here's the final cover of Out of the Ruins, due out in May. We're so thrilled to have Karen on our list. 

Abby’s shattered faith in both God and man is challenged when the terrible earthquake hits 1906 San Francisco.While her sister lies on her deathbed, Abby Fischer prays for a miracle. What Abby doesn’t expect, however, is for God’s answer to come in the form of the handsome Dr. Robert King, whose experimental treatment is risky at best.

As they work together toward a cure, Abby’s feelings for Robert become hopelessly entangled. Separated by the tragedy of the mighty San Francisco earthquake, their relationship suddenly takes a back seat to survival. With fires raging throughout the city, Abby fears for her life as she flees alone through burning streets. Where is God now? Will Robert find Abby, even as the world burns around them? Or has their love fallen with the ruins of the city?