The first is: You’ve got this. You’re a professional. You are good at what you do. We are going to get an amazing photo that is natural, confident, and approachable.
#1. Attitude
I’d say 80% of the people who come in my door dread the idea of having their photo taken. They are coming here because they “have to.” A few even said they would rather go to the dentist. So no worries, I specialize in “pain free” photography.
But here’s some helpful tips before you come in:
Secondly: Be prepared for the normal human reaction when it comes time to look at your photos. Because of the high-pressure veneer society we live in, you are going to see your physical flaws in that photo. But that’s not what I see. I am going to see all of your perfections.
So for example, what I see in my photos is that I have rabbit teeth, a freaky eye, 11 lines in my forehead, huge nostrils, a jowly mouth and a pug nose. And the fact that I am now in my 40s.
Do you think everyone else sees ALL those things when they look at my photo? Of course not. But if I let that “negative energy” of my own insecurities dwell during my session, do you think I’m going to be able to get a photo that is confident and approachable? Yikes.
Third: To understand my point on this, check out this video, which is pretty amazing, by Dove:
Fourth: If you tend to be a little hard on yourself, I want you to watch a TED talk by Ann Cuddy, entitled “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are.”
Fake it until you make it!
To clarify, I do not want to get a fake picture out of you. The point is, the more confidence that you can muster up for yourself, the more help you provide yourself with getting a better photo that day.