Headshot Photograph by Yasmeen Anderson

Pretty much no one likes having their photo taken unless you are a model.  I can’t tell you how many sessions I have where the first words out of the clients’ mouth is some form of the following:

1. I hate having my picture taken
2. I’m the most unphotogenic person
3. I wish I’d lost 5 lbs
4. I’m sooo uncomfortable with this.
5. I hate (insert body part)

…and the list goes on.  It’s a good thing I studied psychology in undergrad.  : )  The thing that clients don’t realize is that they are not alone.  Pretty much everyone is in the same boat and if you like the photos from the galleries you can be pretty sure that they said the same thing.  Here is why people arrive hating having their photo taken and leave saying, “wow, that was fun.”:

We Click

We chat, we listen to music and we click.  I say WE click because that’s a big part of it, while I’m clicking the shutter, we’re also clicking as we find out what we have in common and realize that our kids both do the same crazy things trying to escape homework or that we went to a similar college, both studied marketing in business school or have the same friends.  There is always something that connects us.  We’re living the human experience so there is always some level of connection and relationship built.

Headshot Photograph by Yasmeen Anderson

Opening Yourself Up

Having your photograph taken is a very personal experience.  I always say that people get referrals for photographers just like they do for doctors.  That’s because you feel a similar level of vulnerability.  If you have a photographer that makes you feel like you aren’t doing something right, that’s a horrible feeling.  Will every pose and position you put yourself in flatter you?  Definitely not.  But that’s why you work with a professional who can gently guide you in the most flattering poses for you.

What Works For You

Not every person looks good in the same pose.  It’s important to realize that finding the right pose for your personality AND body/face takes an expert and also takes time.  People think you can just snap a photo in 30 second and have it capture your essence.  That’s just not going to happen.  You may get lucky with good lighting or a good pose, but it’s

Headshot Photograph by Yasmeen Anderson

unlikely that the lighting, pose and level of relaxation will all be there.  A good photographer will move you around in different poses, ask you how your body would naturally position itself so it comes from you and then adjust it so that it highlights or minimizes as necessary.  That’s the magic and you don’t even realize why a photographer may be putting you in a certain pose, but THEY know and that’s the most important thing.  That expertise will show in the photos.

I could go on about why headshots and portraits should be done with professionals, but I will leave you with these final thoughts:  We are all individuals that have different strengths.  Work with a professional who can accentuate your strengths and walk away with photographs that are you…truly you.

 

]]> http://yasmeenphoto.com/2012/05/why-you-should-use-a-professional-portraitheadshot-photographer/feed/ 0 http://yasmeenphoto.com/2011/04/norther-nj-nyc-headshot-photography-video/ http://yasmeenphoto.com/2011/04/norther-nj-nyc-headshot-photography-video/#comments Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:39:10 +0000 Yasmeen http://yasmeenphoto.com/?p=231 I just created a video highlighting some of my headshot photography.  I made it to help create some awareness around this portion of my business which I’m very excited about.  Headshots are great.  I love working with people to get photos that capture who they are or what they want to project to the viewer.  We always have fun with music and laughter in the sessions.  That’s an important part of the process to make sure the client is comfortable and having a grand ol’ time.  I’ve been loving it so far and am looking forward to many more fabulous sessions.

The video is now on youtube, check it out: