Why Do You Look Great In The Mirror But Not In Your Photos?
You actually look really great in both!
Just about every person who steps in front of my camera for a new headshot tells me they're not photogenic. Some wish me luck in the quest to create a "decent" image of them. It's like they were handed a script before they show up to my studio. By now, I'm very surprised when someone doesn't issue that challenge to me. But why do so many of us hate seeing ourselves in photos?
?It's simple - sort of. Physics and psychology.
?What do you do to get ready for work? To make sure your tie is straight and your collar is even? To put on your makeup? To check for lint on your clothing? Or just for a quick check to feel more confident about yourself? You look in the mirror. It's one humanity's greatest inventions. What would we do without them?
?But the mirror is also the greatest deceiver. It convinces our brains that our reflected image is our true selves when, all along, nobody else in the world sees us that way. And this is where our brains get very confused.
Our brains see and memorize details in all aspects of life that we consciously never notice. That includes every aspect of our own facial features. In this case, the problem is that very few people are physically symmetrical. So when we see a photo that is opposite of what our brains believe to be our true selves, it sends us for a loop. The slightest of differences are identified by our brains as "abnormal" and triggers a version of the fight or flight response. Think of how you feel when you hear a recording of your own voice.
Because I invite my clients to review their images as we create them, the first time people see themselves on the monitor can be a shocking experience for them. They cringe and show me all the details they find bothersome about themselves, most of which nobody would ever notice. But, we talk it through and strategize on how to create the images in a way that shows them as confident and approachable individuals not only to themselves, but to the rest of the world as well.
In many ways we're our own worst enemies, searching for things we perceive as faults that literally nobody else would ever notice. Believe me, I get it. I go through the very same thing feelings every time I see my own headshot and understand exactly how most people feel. But I'm more than just your photographer. I'm here to show you why you deserve to have all the self confidence in the world and to create a beautiful headshot that reflects the true you!
Charlie Cotugno is the owner of Charles Cotugno Photography and is a Seattle headshot specialist. His clients range from individuals to Fortune 100 companies. Charlie is also a sought-after speaker on the topic of leveraging photography for career advancement and marketing success, as well as implementing the creative process for innovation in the workplace. To learn how Charlie can guide you through your visual imaging process, visit www.CCheadshots.com, email [email protected], or call/text 425.501.9725.