The Emotional Part of Portrait Photography That Most People Forget to Consider
Hey there, friends. It's me, Lindsey, AKA Lucid Linds. I want to chat about my experience as a portrait photographer. Over the 10+ years of doing this, believe it or not, emotion is a big part of the process. For many people it’s not just as simple as, “Oh I need some pictures taken. Book it. Shoot it. Done.” Maybe you are one of those people who cringe at the idea of having your picture taken? I will tell you this truth; if I had a dollar for every person who has said to my face, called, emailed me or even DM’d me on Instagram saying, “I HATE having my picture taken”, I would quite frankly be able to take a luxury vacation with all that money. Another truth, men (who I have photographed the least) have insecurities too, but ladies, whewww holy moly, are we hard on ourselves, I mean really hard on ourselves.
This picture was taken many years ago of a friend in my old loft, but reflects the idea of how we see ourselves and how others see us.
Story Time: Seeing What I See
Just yesterday I had a session at the boudoir studio that I still shoot for part time, not my studio, but The Adore Girls (my sister’s business that we started way back in 2012). Anywho, just yesterday myself and my client were on set and literally after just the first couple of poses she says to me, “Do I look fat?”. My response after dropping my head and taking a split second to gather my thoughts on how to respond was, “What kind of photographer would I be if that was a thought going through my head?”. This was definitely not the first time, nor probably the 100th time a woman has said this to me as her photographer. Being a woman myself, I understand, I mean I truly understand. There was laughter between us after I responded the way I did, and she said, “You’re right, it’s not like you are going to tell me that.” I said, “No, you are wrong again, I wouldn’t be the right photographer for you if I actually thought that. Here’s the thing, I see you as a part of my art. I love art, I love creating art, and that is what we are doing, creating art together.” I continued, “It is as important to me that I love your images just as much as I want you to love them.” Hopefully that makes sense and doesn’t sound like your photo shoot is about me, but rather drives home my point that my goal is to literally love what we create together, and we are both proud of the images. As we kept going with her photo shoot, I understood how she was feeling. I took a moment a little later to show her some images on the back of my camera. Like magic (it really is a like magic ✨ every time this happens), she viewed the images on the back of my camera, she saw what I was seeing and in an instant she relaxed, started having fun and with her new confidence boost the rest of the session was not only more fun, but her body language changed, her shoulders were pulled back without me needing to say “pull your shoulders back” for our next pose.
The Right Photography Can Change Your Mind:
Whether you are having a portrait photography session just for the experience or you need images for a new linked in profile, your website “About Me” page, your beginner modeling portfolio, your next EP, senior pictures, or perhaps you need fresh, updated headshots for any of your perpetual endeavors, if you think your images don’t play a role in your confidence in how you approach and move forward in those endeavors you would be wrong.
So now you are thinking, “Duh, Lindsey. That’s obvious.” However, I dare you to read this twice; your images can be the confidence boost you didn't know you needed, a reminder that you're worthy of love, success, and every other amazing thing life has to offer. A reminder that YOU’VE GOT THIS. There’s a big difference between “these images will do” and “these images make me feel like the version of myself that I am most proud of”.
So, can images be transformative? Can they change you feel? I not only believe that they can, I know it. I have watched it happen time and time again. I have experienced it myself (with both images I have loved and images I didn’t like of myself). The undeniable proof comes from the unprompted comments, stories, and emails from past clients who tell me how their session and images made them feel. You will forget the mundane experiences in your life like going to the grocery store, pumping gas, doing laundry, even meeting some people who don’t leave a lasting impression, but you won’t forget your photo shoot/s. You don’t forget how a photographer made you feel and you definitely won’t forget how seeing your final images made you feel. Why? It is because there is so much emotion attached to having your picture taken. A still image, that has no words says more to your brain, your heart and imprints in your memory more than you may even realize. You will remember your favorite pictures, professional or not that you shared on social media that everyone you know comments on and tells you how amazing, confident or happy you look. Why? Because those comments made you feel good. Heck, that is one reason “selfies” exist these days.
So How Do You Find the Right Photographer?
These tips will help:
I sincerely hope this blog helps you to:
Understand that you are worthy of everything you want out of life.
Find the right photographer.
Understand how a portrait session is so much more than just having your picture taken.
Face your fears and put yourself out there.
And most of all find the courage to Book the Shoot! Whether with me or someone as awesome as me,😉. I think you should go for it even if it’s just see how you feel afterwards. I believe even the most scared-to-be-in-front-of-a-camera of you will be pleasantly surprised.
Peace, Love, and Photography,
Linds ✌️❤️📸
Research Photographers: Browse portfolios, websites, and social media profiles of photographers in your area to see if their style aligns with your preferences.
Check Reviews and Testimonials: Look for reviews and testimonials on the photographer’s website, google and on social media read the comments on their posts. Gauge their client’s satisfaction and overall experience with the photographer from those places.
Consider Experience and Expertise: Evaluate the photographer's experience and expertise in your specific type of photography, whether it's portraits, weddings, events, or commercial photography.
Review Their Portfolio: Pay close attention to the photographer's portfolio to see the quality of their work, consistency in style, and ability to capture emotions and personalities.
Ask for Recommendations: Seek recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have worked with photographers and had positive experiences.
Discuss Your Vision and Expectations: For portrait shoots schedule a phone consultation or meeting with the photographer to discuss your vision, expectations, and any specific requirements you may have for your photoshoot. This is really important to gauge vibes. You don’t want to show up and be uncomfortable.
Inquire About Pricing and Packages: Understand the photographer's pricing structure, including session fees, packages, and any additional costs for prints, albums, or digital files. Not all sessions include images.
Assess Communication and Personality: Pay attention to the photographer's communication style and personality during your initial interactions to ensure a comfortable and collaborative working relationship.
Review Contract and Terms: Carefully review the photographer's contract, including terms and conditions, cancellation policy, copyright ownership, and delivery timeline for your photos. Don’t get duped by a scammy online photography business or a beginner that simply doesn’t know better.
Define Your Style: Determine the style of photography you prefer, whether it's candid, traditional, artistic, or a mix of styles.
Trust Your Gut: Ultimately, trust your instincts and choose a photographer who not only meets your technical requirements but also makes you feel comfortable, confident, and excited about your photo shoot.