As she sits in front of me, lovingly cradling her infant, we talk about options for her upcoming session. We discuss what she envisions her ideal family portrait to look like and how she is thinking of displaying it in her home. We review potential locations and she tells me about each of her children. She is excited, but throughout the meeting I notice her fidgeting her hands and the hint of insecurity behind her eyes. We work out the details and then I ask, "do you have any concerns you wish to bring up?" The fidgeting stops and I can tell she is struggling with something.... she takes a deep breath and says...
"I love your work, and I'm really excited about this - but I'm not photogenic."
She is not alone. The majority of my clients come to their consultations with this EXACT concern. Whether it's about their weight, their nose, their hair...there is something that makes them believe they are unable to look great in a photo. Heck - I share the same insecurities! Head on over to this blog post where I bear my personal photography fears.
Can I let you in on a secret? It's not that you aren't photogenic. I swear! You may not believe it, but I can make YOU look just as amazing as the folks in my portfolio! I'm serious. My portfolio pictures are of REAL PEOPLE. They are not models, and many of them had the same worries you. No - I don't practice magic, I won't perform photoshop plastic surgery and I promise not to put you on the cabbage soup diet before your session. What I will do is photograph you in a way you've most likely never been photographed before.
Here’s how I do it...
I will LISTEN One of the many reasons I require consultations is to get to know you. This includes finding out what your hesitations and insecurities are. When I know up front what you are self-conscious of, I can make a point of diminishing that issue. Hate your mid section? I'll use people, props and objects to camouflage it. Not crazy about your nose...I'll make sure to have you facing forward in many photos. Self conscious of a double chin? I have a few tricks up my sleeve that will make that disappear in photos without photoshop or surgery. Confide in me and let me take the weight off your shoulders by doing what you hire me to do...create amazing imagery!!
We will PLAN I will help you with choosing location, wardrobe, hair and makeup. I will give you my cell phone so you can send me photos from the store or your closet! I will plan and customize the session WITH YOU and answer any questions and address your individual concerns. From posing to props - everything will be strategically planned around your specific needs.
I will PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS Let me worry about where you should place your hands or the angle of the light hitting your face. I will walk you through subtle posing techniques, show you how to hold your head and make sure your necklace is straight. I coach you through the nerves and we'll have fun doing it!
I will use my KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE I have been perfecting my craft for quite some time now and all my years of knowledge and experience are at your disposal. I will use it all to create gorgeous portraits for YOU. From lens choice to posing - you can trust that each and every choice I make will be done with purpose.
I can't tell you the number of times I have had clients in tears at their reveal simply because they actually liked the way they looked in the photographs!
But I don't want you to just believe me blindly. I mean, I could be lying to you - after all, this is a blog post written by... um...ME! I'd much rather you head over to Facebook or Google and read what my clients have to say.
And you know what? You don't have anything to lose. Put your trust in me for ONE session. I stand behind all of my work with a satisfaction guarantee. If you come to your Reveal and don't love a single photo I will either offer a reshoot or refund your session fee. Want to know another secret? I've NEVER had anyone take advantage of that guarantee!!
So...what do you have to lose? Schedule a consultation and let's talk!
[button url="http://www.fotoplicity.com/contact/"]I AM Photogenic![/button]
GO NEUTRAL WITH A POP OF COLOR
My favorite Fall portraits tend to be when people wear mostly neutral fall tones with a bright pop of color mixed in. Colors that immediately come to mind are red, orange, brown, yellow, grey and beige. Not sure about what colors go with what? Check out 
ADD ACCESSORIES
Scarves, hats, sunglasses, belts....accessories are for EVERYONE! As long as your accessories coordinate with your outfits, you can’t go wrong. Use accessories to tie different outfit colors and themes together. For example, a cute red scarf around your neck can coordinate nicely with the orange dress your daughter is wearing. And if you're up for some fun, bring along your dog...his red collar will match and he will complete your family portrait!
A favorite amongst celebrities and trendsetters worldwide, Love Baby J is the place to go for quality crafted couture dresses. Based out of Edmonds, Washington this shop is owned by Jennifer Langdon.
This goes along with the first tip. Instead of just standing on the sidelines, engage and interact with your child. Show an interest in their hobbies and passions. Don't make getting a photograph your only goal - take the time to connect with your child and take those photos only when the opportunity presents itself. If you are actively engaged with your child they will be much more open to letting you get a genuine photo of them. Even better - get IN the photo with your child!
As children get older, they develop their own sense of style. Instead of giving them grief about it, embrace it. This is who your child is, it's how they are known by their friends...why change that just for a photograph? The idea is to capture your kid as they are - not some made-up, fairy tale version of them! Besides, I can pretty much guarantee they'll be more comfortable and willing to pose for a picture while wearing their favorite clothes.
This is where most parents fail...it is so important to treat your tween/teen like an adult. When you respect them they will be much more likely and willing to participate and smile for you. If you make them feel like the adults they're becoming it will go a long way.
This goes hand in hand with the last tip. In today's world of social media most don't think twice about posting pictures for the world to see. Sharing cute and silly pictures didn't matter to to them when they were toddlers, but now they are self-aware and conscious of how they look. If they have their own online presence, they will want to control the photos that are shared. If they know that they have the ability to veto the photos that get shared publicly they will be more likely to participate in your photo shoots!
Dress appropriately. Summer sometimes means hot and humid weather, which can lead to uncomfortable bodies. Choose breathable, lightweight fabrics that won't weigh you down. As for shoes, nice flats or loafers are a great option.
