4 Reasons Why Your Photo doesn’t look like you
Have you ever seen a person’s photo and didn’t recognize him or her when you met up in person?
Or perhaps you’re the person who got a gallery from your photographer and were very disappointed.
Headshots are an easy example to use, but the principles apply to ANY photo. Read more about how to prevent bad photos.
#1 Your Photographer Doesn’t Know Your Personal Brand
Before we book, I encourage all prospects to get on a brief video call with me. Here’s why: I’m getting to know you before we work together. I want to see what you look like to understand how I’d light you, make sure we click well, know more about what you’re looking for, and bounce ideas off of you.
Photographers are masters of light and composition. But rare is the one with a marketing background who understands how to approach your photos as if they themselves were your own brand.
#2 Your Photo Was Taken in Bad Light
Early in our photography careers, we learn types of light, study shadows and pinpoint what makes a portrait more successful based on those nuances. If your headshot or business portrait was photographed in bad light, it’s just one culprit behind your disappointment.
Skin too orange? It was underexposed or the white balance is off.
Shadows under your eyes? It was taken in harsh, overhead sunny light or the strobe was positioned incorrectly.
Too washed out? It was probably over-exposed or the white balance is off.
Too harsh? The strobe might have been overpowered.
#3 It didn’t flatter the right features
Women are most flattering when photographed from above, to thin facial features and hide double-chins, whereas men are often more flattered when shooting up — it indicates a power pose.
Women especially are paranoid about a double-chin. It befuddles me that a photographer would specifically light the part we’re trying to hide.
Angles, composition and — as I mentioned — light are all key components of a good photo.
#4 You Weren’t Prepared
When you step into a studio, you should feel 100% confident that you’re as prepared as you can be. You have the right outfit, know what to expect and have a solid timeline and expectations for what you’ll get.
Maybe you wore a spaghetti-strap dress and didn’t realize the final crop would make you look nekkid. And you’re a pastor. Whoops.
I help my clients prepare for a headshot with tips that — when followed — will lead to a great outcome. No one likes unpleasant surprises so my goal is to mitigate them as best as possible.
#5 You’re Not Comfortable On Camera
Remember Monica and Chandler’s engagement photos? Jitters and nerves before a shoot are perfectly normal before a shoot. Aside from select Enneagram 7 folks, the rest of us don’t relish the experience of getting photos taken.
But if you’re going to a “sweatshop” studio — smile, snap, leave — you won’t have enough time to warm up and let your hair down, figuratively speaking. Quick and cheap. Not good.
It’s the photographer’s job to make you feel comfortable and elevate you to hero status, but that requires at least 5 minutes to talk, settle in, smile, check angles, and so on.
Learn more about how to find a good photographer.
To learn more about photography sessions, view photo galleries or contact me.
