a question to many of you..
do you feel insecure and anxious about getting your portrait taken?
my wife and I had this same question and conversation prior to this shoot.
At the time of this shoot, (we were test shooting in the Spring) and she had become critical of herself when she’d look at a herself within a candid family or friend’s phone pic. Getting in front of my camera, even to test, was a challenge.
I asked her more about the lack of confidence, I asked her what’s going through her head when she’s in a group photo “Do I look ok, am I smiling well, does it look pretty, how are my eyes.. etc etc” she gave the typical insecurities. And this genuinely bothered her. She recalled how much she loved her students, but was critical of who she became when posed at the end of the year phone portraits with her students. She didn’t like her smile, it didn’t feel real, etc. I asked her.. “what if, instead of looking at the camera and hoping that others approve of her portrait (this includes her future self, her husband, kids, and whatever future criticisms she could entertain).
What if instead of thinking about all those approvals, what if instead you looked at the camera and you saw it as a doorway to communicate to those individuals you want to speak with, and communicate that through feeling and intention instead? What if, instead of posing with a student and feeling insecure about how you look, instead you look into the camera with intention and say with honest expression, knowing Max will look at this photo, and see you looking at him again. What if your eyes and smile say, ‘I love you Max’?”
When we know our power and voice, when we see with a new perspective the powerful relationship to the camera, and all that noise of insecurity and bullshit is gone, the camera and portrait is a tool to communicate and connect. Especially to that future Max.
Sure, getting your portrait taken is about you and whatever your current look is.
But it can be so much more powerful and impactful than that.
Get in front of my camera, and get out of your head!
Start talking to your people!