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| Image taken 10/2/14 |
Let me start by saying I’m NOT incredibly comfortable in front of the camera. I have my own insecurities about my appearance just like everyone else. I have a lazy eye, imperfect teeth, a soft jawline, and chubby cheeks. I’m not tall or super athletic and I don’t have a pumped up muscular physique. I feel that I only have two things going for me… I’m relatively thin and I still have my hair.
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| Image taken 4/10/14 |
With that said, I’m forcing myself to become more
comfortable in front of the camera. If
you’re a photographer who photographs people, I encourage you to do the
same. When I’m making someone’s
headshot, I know how to position them in ways that make them look good and the
bonus is I can use the same techniques on myself. If you’re not quite sure how to position
people, practice on yourself.
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| Image taken 5/8/14 |
As a separate creative outlet, I’ve started a Seattle menswear blog and I need pictures for it. All I
have is myself, so guess what? I’m
taking a lot of selfies right now.
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| Image taken 8/27/14 |
If you’re a photographer I’m assuming you have a web site
with an “About Me” page. Do you have a
picture of yourself on that page? If
not, shame on you. You’re a
photographer, there’s no excuse.
Let’s be realistic. Most people don’t like having their picture taken. I mean really, who wakes up in the morning (besides supermodels) super excited about getting their picture taken that day? Hardly anybody. For most people it’s about as equal as going to the dentist. As a photographer, you don’t necessarily have to enjoy having your picture taken, but you shouldn’t turn and run or hide your face when someone points a camera at you. At the very least you should be comfortable with it and know what to do.
Let’s be realistic. Most people don’t like having their picture taken. I mean really, who wakes up in the morning (besides supermodels) super excited about getting their picture taken that day? Hardly anybody. For most people it’s about as equal as going to the dentist. As a photographer, you don’t necessarily have to enjoy having your picture taken, but you shouldn’t turn and run or hide your face when someone points a camera at you. At the very least you should be comfortable with it and know what to do.
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| Image taken 9/11/14 |
I think of it this way; I wouldn’t want to hire a doctor
that never gets a checkup, would you?
Doctors are healthy, dentists have nice teeth and physical trainers are
physically fit. Photographers should have
nice pictures of themselves or at least a good one on their own web site.
You know how weird and insecure you feel when someone’s taking your picture? That’s the same feeling your clients have. If we don’t get ourselves on the other side of the camera occasionally, we tend to forget that.
You know how weird and insecure you feel when someone’s taking your picture? That’s the same feeling your clients have. If we don’t get ourselves on the other side of the camera occasionally, we tend to forget that.
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| Image taken 9/17/14 |
Go grab a photographer pal and take pictures of each other
and get more comfortable with it. If you
use Pocket Wizards, go buy the remote camera & pre-trigger adapter
wire. That’s what I use. It allows you to fire the camera with a
pocket wizard in your hand. No more self-timers. You can shoot as many as you want without
having to get up and go set the timer every time. Last time I checked they were only like $40
or so.
You don’t have to show the world every single selfie you take, but you should turn it around from time to time and start getting familiar with it. The exercise itself will pay off.
You don’t have to show the world every single selfie you take, but you should turn it around from time to time and start getting familiar with it. The exercise itself will pay off.
