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 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 (gosh, remember that???) 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 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. By uncovering what you are self-conscious of, I can make a point of diminishing that issue. Hate your mid section? I'll use people, objects and posing techniques to camouflage it. Not crazy about your profile...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...capture your natural beauty!!
We will PLAN I will help you with choosing location, wardrobe, hair and makeup. You will have my cell phone so you can send me photos from the store or your closet! We will plan and customize the session TOGETHER and I will answer any questions you have and address your individual concerns. 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. Put your trust in me and let me create gorgeous portraits of you, for YOU. 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.
Photo collage of Fotoplicity Clients
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!