Archive for January, 2010

As the dust settles, and we start not only a new year but a new decade as well, it’s time to refresh our look

When the time comes to get your portrait taken spend a few minutes perusing the web and look at various portraits.

The web is a virtual goldmine of pictures of people. Don’t just limit the  search to “headshots” corporate portraits or celebrity mug shots (though those are quite a bit of fun).
Look at old renaissance portraits, look up Avedon, Hurrell., old movie publicity photos.
Look at the lighting, the angle of the head, is the portrait from above below or from the side?
Then take some time looking in the mirror and see which pose suits you.
Go ahead and make some funny faces (you know you want to) not only will it ease the tension and self-consciousness that you’ll be feeling, it actually will relive the tension in your facial muscles.

During a photoshoot most people will try to keep a smile on their face, however after a while the muscles start to harden and the smile becomes frozen. The smile looks fake and sometimes almost looks like the person is in pain. I usually try to keep the person engaged with questions to loosen up the muscles. If that doesn’t work a funny face is in order.

Remember this is supposed to be fun, the photographer is there to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible. That way they get the photo portrays you in all your glory.