Self Image, how are you with self-promotion?
John Ferguson
Editorial, Documentary, Lifestyle & High-End Commercial Branding Photographer - Helping Businesses & Individuals by producing authentic & engaging visual marketing Imagery & content.
If I were to count the many time's clients have said to me; "I hate having my pictures taken", then I'd be a rich man. Most clients are excited about having a new set of photographs taken, but most still get nervous about the whole process. Some may have experienced having their pictures taken before, and so know what to expect, but any good photographer utilizes and applies their learnt interpersonal skills, making each sitter feel happy, confident and assured.
Making every client feel comfortable and relaxed is a skill portrait photographers learn over time. Understanding ourselves, our strengths and our weaknesses is one of the best ways that can help us accepting of our image. Even the most photographed people in the world still feel a certain uneasy about having their pictures taken, they need to feel confident in the photographer and that the finished photos will look flattering, admiring and above all else engaging.
I was recently commissioned to produce a set of pictures for a large law firm in the City of London. This beautiful young lady, Elizabeth Fapuro works in the legal industry, and right from the start she mentioned how she felt nervous and a little unsure, so after talking with her and making her feel a little less apprehensive about her shoot, we waited a little while before we started, finding good locations, and then we just began to have fun. Laughter is the greatest remedy for nerves; we joked about what her friends would say when they saw her new images and how everyone was going to love her fresh new look. The resulting pictures were just lovely, Elizabeth was over the moon with her finished photographs. Overcoming self-doubt can be a hard thing to learn and master, but sometimes having a great set of images of yourself looking relaxed, happy and confident can allow us to overcome so many preconceived and sometimes long-held beliefs about our persona.
How was your experience being photographed, or being the main subject for a photo-shoot? Do you agree to disagree with anything I've said? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section. Let me know if you enjoy the process or hate having your pictures taken.
John Ferguson is Photographer - Visual Storyteller
Helping Commercial B2B's & Corporate Clients By Providing Creative Personal & Branding Photography Growing Your Visibility & Presence. | Imaginative | Contemporary | Lifestyle & Documentary Photography. London | Suffolk
Helping DISCERNING people and businesses create WOW Pictures that IMPACT and FLATTER.
5 年Great piece John. I can't see any point I disagree with. I don't get photographed often but find that given my day job I find it easier to relax and spend my time now relaxing the photographer. I often tell the joke they can't make me look any worse than I've seen already (then I explain that I look much worse first thing in the morning when brushing my teeth and if that sight hasn't put me off seeing my face so far their picture would be an improvement).
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5 年Fantastic range of images there John, love they way you caught her laughing framed between the people, brilliant.
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5 年Great post, so true as well
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5 年Really great capture -light and breezy?
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5 年Love your vexplanatioj of how to put clients at ease and how important it is! When I had professional shots done of me, the photographer was a complete hoot and I spent the whole time laughing. It sure helped!