Category Archives: love your image

What do you think when you see yourself in an image?

Are you hyper critical?
Are your thoughts different compared to looking in the mirror?
Or are you accepting and feel good about what you see?

Does it matter? After all these are your thoughts, nobody else needs to know or hear about them… do they?

Had you ever considered your body listens to everything you think and say about yourself.

Yes that is a fact and well, why wouldn’t it, it is after all you.

It fills me with much encouragement and hope that society in general is opening up and discussing mental health. This got me thinking how important it is that we learn to cultivate a positive view on what we see in ourselves.

Ok, let’s start with looking in a mirror.

How often do you practise gratitude for the person you are and where you are in life? You height, your colouring (skin and hair), your size, your age… yes especially age! So what do you think when you see yourself in an image?

Sometimes we can find ourselves in ‘comparing’ mode with others.
Sometimes we think we have a good outlook towards self, and then be over critical when it comes to seeing ourselves in a photo!
How many of us have said “if only I could lose a bit of weight” – I know I have in the past!

So why? Where did we learn all that? What good did it do us?

Much can come from our childhood years and the values and expectations we learned from finding our place in society. Comparisons and judgement could have been placed on us by sibling, school peers, teachers, parents and people we love.

I grew up in an era when Twiggy rose to fame and to be stick thin was in fashion. Not a lot of fun for those of us who were born a completely different shape! This followed the era of soft and curvy from the 50’s. The objectification of women was considered quite normal. It took me many years to stop thinking I could be a different shape!

But attitudes and generations are changing thankfully! Comments that were once considered ok, are no longer acceptable in society.

Every size, shape, gender, colour and age should be equal and celebrated. How we see ourselves is very attached to the balance of our mental health. Again something that is today discussed more openly and vitally important for us to be aware of.

Again you may think, ‘is it really that important?’ Well yes, as I said earlier, our body listens to everything we say about it. Have you ever heard the phrase ‘self fulfilling prophecy’? If you are overly self critical, be careful what you say, think and wish for.

So a positive self image is important especially when times get tough.

Our lives can be full of things that come along to challenge us and our personal confidence. Life can be trundling along happily, when something major can turn it on its head in an instant. If we already have a lot of self doubt and self criticism going on, it’s going to make things even tougher.

Cultivating a positive self image is very important and can be helped by several small simple daily tasks that will cost you nothing.

Practising gratitude for everything in your life.
Look in the mirror and tell the person looking back how much you love and appreciate them.
Be grateful for the person you are, even when life gets tough.
Learning to recognise negative thoughts and stopping them in their tracks.

Learning to recognise and deal with doubt about ourselves early on can help prevent a downward spiral.

Going back to our question, what do you think when you see yourself in an image? The next time you find yourself being self critical, stop and think where it could lead. Even if it was the result of a wrong decision and you are giving yourself a hard time. Be kinder and just promise you will choose differently next time. Once you’ve learned to observe the thoughts you have, you can make sure there are plenty of positive ones are in there.

Yes, being kinder and patient with yourself is a very good thing.

If you’d like to discuss how you feel about being in photographs, the experience and what you see – a free review, with no obligation is available for you at any time – Your Free Review

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Don’t forget, there is a Love Your Image You Tube channel that gets regularly added to – subscribe to the channel and you can be part of the conversation – Love Your Image on You Tube

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Positive and negative associations being photographed.

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What have positive and negative associations got to do with being photographed?

What have positive and negative associations got to do with being photographed? We spend much of our lives experiencing positives and negatives and what we do and don’t like. This can be in the things we choose to do and have to do. Perhaps, we’ve discovered a favourite holiday destination and some will choose to return to the same place regularly. It’s their happy place. We gravitate towards the things we enjoy by choice and strive to keep most of it positive and rewarding.

Some things may be more of a challenge to us for whatever reason. But often have to be done as a necessary aspect of achieving a more enjoyable life.

But what has this got to do with being photographed and seeing images of ourselves?

For many, we dislike the experience of being photographed as it reminds us of something really unpleasant from the past. It can be from childhood, or come from anywhere in our adult years. The resulting images just reflect that back to us with a negative reminder. It could be from a specific event, or just as commonly, a combination of learned behaviours and expectations.

Positive and negative associations being photographed – however, interestingly, we seem to remember the negatives more than the positives. So yes, you have positive associations from life. They are simply the things that don’t bother you in the least and you give them little thought. I’ll come onto these further on.

Referring back to my previous blog on “Body Parts in Photographs”. Lets take a look at a few general examples and how an association brought them to their current thinking:

‘I don’t like my teeth showing’

A child may have worn braces as a younger person and told to keep their mouth closed for a photograph.

“I hide my ears with my hair”

At school a child was told to tie their hair back and were teased about their ears.

“I want to lose some weight before I see you”

Weight is a common issue for many and may have been a source of negative comments. Or, we have learned by association through advertising and social media pressure that we should be thinner. This can lead to a challenge with self-esteem. It is further confirmed by the western culture we live in and the expectations placed on us.

Comments we have had from the past:

“You must have been beautiful when you were younger”

“You always ruined the photographs when you were a child”

Yes, sadly I’ve heard all of these and many many more.

So our current negative thinking towards being photographed can come from strong associations with things that have happened in our lives. In almost all instances, it was never your fault or responsibility. I refer back to another recent blog “What really going on in a photograph”

But as these are learned behaviours and associations, they can be changed.

I mentioned earlier that we also have positive associations. From my own journey, I have a list of both negatives and positives that shaped how I felt in front of a camera. Discovering this has given me power to my elbow (so to speak). It gave me the opportunity to target the things I wanted to change. It gave me the opportunity to reflect and feel good about the positives.

Fortunately society is beginning to change its thinking and attitudes and becoming inclusive to everyone, whatever, size, age, colour, culture, or sexuality. All the things that may have been cause of a negative association. This can also be a generational thing and take society quite a time to acknowledge.

There can be more complex areas of associations, but nearly all connect with how you felt at the time. So part of your journey to LoveYourImage can be identifying these negatives, understanding and changing them.

Love Your Image also has a You Tube channel. There will be more recorded conversations coming soon, so make sure you’re signed up to the mailing list and be notified when new articles and videos are published.

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Body parts in photographs!

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I could have made this article sound like an autopsy, with a heading on ‘body parts in photographs’!

To some of us, a particular part of our anatomy can be a bit like ‘the elephant in the room’. When having a camera pointed at us, or investing in a photoshoot, it’s the main thing we focus on in a negative way.

It can be one thing, or several elements you fixate on and dislike.

Over the years I’ve heard and observed a wide variety of areas that get the ‘thumbs down’:

“No profile shots, I’m conscious of my nose”
“I have to hide my ears with my hair”
“I don’t like my teeth showing”
“What can you do with my lazy eye?”
“My arms are a bit fat”
“I want to lose some weight before I come and see you”
“Can you lose my chins?”
“My hair… (yes even this)”
“Can you photoshop my lines out?”
“I smile like a cheshire cat!”
“I have a scar…”

… the list is long and varied – but I get it, I know the things that I thought were my problem areas many years ago.

When people ask if I can ‘photoshop’ them in an image, my answer is this:

“I can, but then all I’m doing is agreeing that you’re not good enough without correction”. (I will be writing more on photoshopping in another blog). Please do remember, this is solely your opinion of yourself.

Without exception, you are great the way you are. But, I DO understand things that challenge you and am here to help you start that process of viewing yourself differently.

Some people fear being judged, or have indeed had this happen. It could have been from many years ago… it’s not pleasant.

TO EVERYONE –

All who know you, matter to you and love you, will accept you as you are.

TO EVERYONE –

Judgement says everything about the person who is dishing it out and not about you (Judgement is also the subject of another blog).

You may begin to observe that I refer to other blogs that have been written and future blog subjects that will be covered. These will always be relevant to what I’m getting across in the current article.

So let’s keep this relevant to the matter in hand. To begin the process that will help you, rather than removing an item, I work at taking away the focus from that element. This can help you have a completely different view on it. Yes it still needs to be part of an overall pleasing image in all other aspects.

It’s achieved by the lighting used, the angles used and the right communication with the person being photographed to capture your spontaneous expressions.

Let me give you some examples:

Where someones teeth showing is their challenge – to work with half smiles if often successful. To allow someone to keep their mouth tightly closed, just causes tension around the mouth and jaw.

Chins is a common one – one trick is to get someone to lean towards the camera a little. It does’t take much… too much lean and it will look odd. Very often if someone suddenly has a fit of laughter, it can cause them to pull their chin in… giving themselves an extra chin which they don’t normally have.

Let’s say someones right eye doesn’t open quite as much as the other. I don’t like using the term ‘lazy’ as this makes it sound quite derogatory. Turn the right side of the face slightly towards the camera, have the camera a little above the subject, causing them to naturally look up towards the lens. This can often open that eye a little more than normal.

Facial lines – by flooding the face with light, without removing all shadow. Shade context gives your face shape and the unique expression that is you. This can either be using the right studio lighting, or finding the right natural light source. This can also apply to scars.

I can’t stress enough that adjustments in position, angle, height, light, really don’t need to be too much to achieve effective results. As already mentioned, the success is also in your spontaneous expression achieved by the communication with your photographer.

This blog brings a little insight to part of the process of helping you accept the tremendous individual that you already are.

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Don’t forget there is also a You Tube channel, with a growing number of ‘recorded conversation’ with people who are experts in their field and their subject has a close connection with the concept of Love Your Image

What’s really going on in a photograph?

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I’m just not photogenic… or am I?

What’s really going on in a photograph? When we see an image of ourselves, we don’t see past it. We just see it as something perhaps we like or we don’t. If it’s one you like, great! But if it’s not, it can be part of a subconscious downward spiral to constant disappointment – leading you to believe you are not photogenic.

There are different reasons we do or don’t like an image.

But our decision will be based on a judgement about ourselves. Understanding a bit more of what’s happening in a photograph can be essential to helping you improve any dislike of an image. Not to necessarily like it, but to realise why it didn’t turn out so well – this doesn’t mean you are not photogenic!

A photograph captures a split second in time.

It brings together many elements. That single moment is all important to how you view the results. Let me expand on this slightly. We are producing expressions that are uniquely us, all the time, depending on where and who we are with. Because a photograph is of a single moment, it’s a skilled person who observes and captures you in an image that you will love. Not because you are a difficult subject, but because they know what it takes to capture that moment.

I’ve separated reasons into five main points and explained some of what was going on:

Photographer responsibility.
Technical issues.
Masking.
Comparing ourselves.
Judging ourselves

Photographer responsibility.

This was the topic of two earlier blogs – do take a read – Photographer responsibility Part 1 – Photographer responsibility Part 2. It could give you more insight. Who was taking the photograph? If you were captured either off-guard, or unexpectedly, perhaps the photographer wasn’t focusing on capturing you at your best, or, they didn’t know how to. Perhaps they didn’t consider how you were feeling.

Technical issues.

This was touched on in the last blog – again take a read – Using Phone Cameras and Filters – it could be helpful.

Don’t forget about the distortion that happens, if either you or someone else was capturing you on a phone camera. The camera may have been too low, or from a less than flattering angle.

The light was maybe harsh and unforgiving, perhaps because of bright midday sunlight, or, overhead artificial light. As I mentioned in the blog, people now assume that their phones will do it all for them.

Masking.

You’re requested to be in a photograph and beginning to feel anxious and uncomfortable and your stomach churns. You could also feel distracted and not know how to stand/sit/look and added to that you are not being guided. There’s no hiding at the back and you would rather not be there. So at best you grin and bear it, or put on a ‘mask’ to just get through. Tension, anxiety and feeling highly uneasy is going to show through.

These three points ARE NOT YOUR FAULT

But no-one else gives any consideration to this and leaves you berating yourself for taking a far from acceptable image, on the assumption it’s your responsibility – well it’s not!

The next two are deeply personal and individual.

Comparing ourselves to others.

Looking good in an image is actually not a competition, but many measure it this way. Social media and advertising pile on the pressure, causing us to think we should look like something/someone else. In reality, whether you can achieve it or not is another thing. We are lead to believe that if we buy a particular product, or have a particular treatment, we can! All to follow a particular trend and fit in with our peer group.

Judging ourselves.

I was recently chatting to a lady at an event about ‘Love Your Image’. She quite matter-of-fact announced that a particular lady (nearby) was beautiful and she (herself) was not. It was that black and white to her. How we see ourselves is of course deeply personal. Negative self judgement can be so ingrained, it’s barely a conscious thought or action anymore, as we do it so regularly. It has truly become a habit… a bad one. We’ve taught our brains, with our life experiences and values to automatically think that way.

So that’s the negatives covered – but all is not lost.

EVERY SINGLE POINT LISTED HAS A POSITIVE ASPECT.

Everyone can take a good photograph, yes everyone.

I once had a photograph taken to record quite a big achievement – I’d just cycled 100 miles in a day. I’d spent 3 months preparing and getting fit enough. It was a shot taken on a phone, (not mine), quite close up, so lots of distortion. I was also exhausted… it showed! 🙁 But the image doesn’t bother me, because I understand what was behind it.

I’ve shared an example to illustrate one of the above points – which point do you think these come under?

What’s going on in a photograph – this shows a group of people un-prepared for their photograph.

Happy group of people all smiling to camera

What’s going on in a photograph – a group all looking a lot more comfortable in front of the camera.

These two photographs are a perfect example of two moments in time, taken seconds apart – I remember them well, as I was there! As you can see, every single person in the group had no idea the photograph was being taken in the first image. The second is a much more pleasing image with everyone focusing towards the camera.

Do you relate to any of the points raised in this blog?

Did you know you can learn to get past all of these things?

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Using phone cameras and filters…

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It’s great, I can do everything on my phone… or can I?

It’s time to talk about the cameras most of us have.

The cameras we have on our phones and how we use them. Technology moves on at an incredibly fast pace, and has brought us so many new and convenient ways to communicate in different areas of our lives. Latest tech can be innovative and helpful, but can also bring new challenges. Let’s open up a few of these things and the positive and negative effects they bring in using phone cameras and filters.

Camera phones are built to make it easy – just open your camera app, point and shoot. If you have no knowledge of how cameras operate, this sounds fabulous. But when you don’t get the results you hope for – it’s frustrating, or, disappointing! I’m also generalising on the different phone models that most of us have and what we find happens. Some phones are better than others and the newer models are always adding features to improve them.

Differences in how camera phones and a full frame DSLR capture your likeness.

One of the main things is distortion.

You take a selfie and think “do I really look like that!”. I’m not going to get technical, but look at the comparisons I’ve used to illustrate, of my own selfies. The first was taken close up and personal the second at arms length. There is still distortion on the second, but not as noticeable as the first. Now if you dislike what you see in an image of yourself, this can be an issue. So, no that’s not what I truly look like!

Example of distortion in a selfie

Distortion is still there, but less when held at arms length.

It’s a point worth remembering when you take a selfie, all you can achieve is to minimise the effect.

The angle and lighting – this can make a difference.

We all have different shape and contours to our face and bodies – it’s what makes us unique, individual and beautiful. The light and angles in a photograph, can display that individuality in different ways. It can be flattering and forgiving, contrasting and artistic, or, cold, hard and unforgiving. If you’re taking the photograph, you have control over this … with a little knowhow ;).

So it’s not about you being ‘photogenic’, there’s a lot more going on that has an effect on this, that’s not your fault!

By the way, going back to the subject of distortion, the angle you hold your camera at yourself, can have a marked effect on distortion. Yes this can be used in a creative way, but can also accentuate or detract from a nice selfie.

Take a look at the header image.

The second one is too dark, because of bright light behind me and the third is a very poor angle from too low down – quite unflattering!

Using Filters…

The fact that we all have cameras on our phones and quick access to social media platforms, has brought about filters.

I’ve used a couple of images of myself, taken a while back to illustrate a little of what I mean. I’ve intentionally put them before and after – meaning, the first has been filtered, the second – filters are removed. I don’t want filters on me, I’m perfectly ok without them. I want people to be able to see, as close as possible, the real me – the one they would see when they meet me.

A portrait photograph with filter applied.

An example using a filter.

An example without using a filter.

Understanding exactly what’s going on in a photograph and why one might look a bit more pleasing than others is the subject of the next blog. “But you’re a photographer, so you would know” – yes but I wasn’t always confident in front of a camera – I’ve learned how to be and the reason why I created Love Your Image to be able to help others.

It may be quite fun to apply stars, butterflies, big eyes and puppy ears, and yes, the positive benefit of using a filter to improve colour, contrast or light level is fine. I started this blog with “It’s great, I can do everything on my phone…”. But filters have taken on a much more sinister and challenging effect, when used to change our appearance… your eye, lips, face, everything. Search on google for Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok filters… beauty filter, goddess filter, movie star filter, … the list is endless. The fun and helpful element is one thing, but when you see the endless comments on the negative effect the trend for filters is having… it’s time to speak out.

SHOULD WE HAVE THEM AT ALL?

These all create something different to who we really are. I’ve seen it suggested that they achieve unrealistic perfection. We can agree that we are all unique and individual, otherwise we’d be clones. So there is no bible or manual out there that says one person is perfect and another isn’t? Is this really just saying ‘I’m not happy with what I look like without a filter?? When people meet you face to face, you’ll look nothing like they imagined.

So remember, when you see others on social media who seem to have very smooth skin, even light and big doe eyes, they have likely applied filters. What you are seeing is actually not real!

I’m going to leave this blog on a note to watch for the future – the rise of the ‘metaverse’ – for all it’s helpful aspects, will this be the next body dysmorphia challenge to humans?

If you’re not already on my mailing list, don’t forget to sign up and receive your free tips sheet. That way, each time a new blog or video is published, you will get to hear about it… yes, there is now a You Tube channel for Love Your Image – do take a look and subscribe if you’d like to be kept up to date 🙂

Five steps to stress free photographs

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How many times in your life has someone said to you “take it one step at a time”?

There are many relevant points on what it takes to be at ease in front of a camera. However this article shows just how easy it can be to get there, by following my five steps to stress free photographs. I’m not just talking about working with a professional photographer, I’m also talking about any time you find a camera being pointed at you.

Some of us need a goal or an incentive to step out of an uncomfortable place.

When we do, we grow personally ending up mighty pleased with ourselves and a feeling of real achievement 🙂

Imagine this analogy – the place you’re in now, with regard to being photographed, is like standing on a river bank. It’s familiar, but you want to be on the other side, because all the things you’d like to have, do or be, are over there!

You’ll get on with life in the same format that you always have. You tell yourself that you’re fine where you are, or it’s too dangerous to cross the deep water.

But you are always given a way forward when you decide you want to change something.

Finding someone to help you on that journey makes it a lot easier:

They show you how to step forward
Guide you through
Give you the tools to find your way

One step at a time can get you across to a better place on the other side of that river.

Analogy of the river when taking things one step at a time

Imagine the river has stepping stones – you can choose to take a first step and see the journey ahead. You have the option to go back, but you can’t move onto the next stone until you’ve achieved the goal of the one you’re standing on. So you always have a choice. Here are your five steps to stress free photographs.

Step 1

Is all about acknowledging where you are now and being ready to take that next step.

Step 2

It’s a bit like a ‘Photo-less Photoshoot’! We explore all the issues that affect people; identify and discuss which apply to you and discover insightful information and technique for you to move forward – no photography takes place!

Step 3

‘The safety net step’ – go through the motions and methods of working in front of a camera, BUT, no photographs are taken. It might be possible to move across step 3 quite quickly, but it’s there as a safety stone if you need it and a valuable part of your journey 😊

Step 4

Armed with information and control, using all you’ve learned so far, you ease into a photoshoot. We discuss the results and how you feel and re-cap on your available strategies to use for the future.

Step 5

Reaching the far bank and a stronger place, celebrating, and receiving your images.

When we really want to learn a new thing or change something in ourselves, without knowing where to start – it can seem like a wall right in front of you. All we see is the insurmountable task of getting past it and the stress and anxiety that brings. You can turn and look the other way, but it doesn’t get you past the wall. When someone helps you stand back and see a different picture, full of possibilities, things you probably haven’t thought of, it opens up a world of potential.

Life is not always as it seems – you always have a choice – you always have a way forward and that brings you control and confidence.

Having a free review is your first step – get in touch and you can find out more – Love Your Image 5 step success.

In the meantime, do sign up to the mailing list for Love Your Image and stay up to date with new information and blogs. There is also a You Tube channel – you get to know when a new video is published by being on the mailing list.

Proof of your success through five steps to stress free photographs.

Photographer responsibility … part 2

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I could probably write a book on all the tales I’ve heard relating to people in front of cameras. But always particularly recall this one…

Many years ago, a lady came to me for business headshots. She explained she had asked her adult daughter to take some photos of her, but it hadn’t worked out and relayed how that event panned out. Her daughter got her to stand in front of her and took a step back, held the camera up, snapped, looked at the camera and said it wasn’t very good and would try again. Again she held the camera up, snapped, looked at the camera and explained “well you had your eyes shut that time”! This continued for a while, but without apparent success in the daughters eyes. Eventually, daughter announces, “Mum you’re just not photogenic”!! Ouch…

They may have had a giggle with it along the way and nobody fell out.

But the comment went deep and caused mum to doubt how she looked.

Now here’s the thing – if the daughter had gone outside and taken a landscape image and decided it wasn’t as good as she’d hoped – she wouldn’t turn to the landscape and say “you’re just not photogenic”. So why would you say it to a person? Can you see where I’m heading with this? The word ‘photogenic’ gets taken out of context from its true dictionary meaning in a big way.

Do you know how to get the best out of someone.

Do you know what would be the most flattering angle, height and lighting to produce an image they will like of themselves? Are you happy if the person you are capturing takes a look and doesn’t like what they see and thinks it’s all their fault? Would you stand up and take responsibility?

Well here are a few things to know and consider –

It’s very difficult to know how to be or how you are appearing in front of a camera without any helpful guidance. You won’t have any idea of the height or angle someone has their camera pointing towards you, so how can you know what the result will be? Yes others see us often quite differently to how we view ourselves, but that doesn’t relinquish our responsibility to how we capture others.

Cameras give us fabulous technology, so we can all be photographers now. But it’s what we do with it that makes a difference… a difference that could so easily affect others, both positively and negatively.

Perhaps you might stop and think next time you want to take photographs of people, or, get in touch and I can give you some help 🙂

Did you read ‘Photographer Responsibility’ Part 1?

In the meantime, do sign up to the mailing list for Love Your Image and stay up to date with new information and blogs.

Photographer Responsibility … part 1

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How do you feel when people point a phone camera in your direction and “snap”… take your photograph without asking?

Nowadays some people feel they have the right to photograph you when and where they please without a second thought to ask if it’s ok?

This is something individuals in the spotlight, celebrities and the like have had to endure for years. But you could say that comes with the territory of being in that position. Journalist photographers working for newspapers and magazines all want to catch your every public move – its news! Although many law suits have been issued when the paparazzi take it too far and attempt (often successfully) to catch people in the privacy of their home or on vacation. It’s a subject of regular controversy.

Let’s bring it a bit closer to home –

Perhaps you’re a member of a group who meet for whatever reason of mutual interest and someone insists on recording the gathering… every single time! Despite your protestations, you’ll likely get the reply “oh don’t worry about it, you’ll be fine” and they carry on. It makes you feel highly uncomfortable! You might consider leaving the group – so what are your choices? You could just put your hand up to cover your face, (as in the image) or turn away (I’ve done that before now!). But that’s pretty drastic and could create social barriers within the group. You can try talking to the person and explain how you feel. You hope they are a reasonable and understanding individual who will allow you to stand aside and be out of shot. But that in itself could make you feel even more at odds, as then we could feel we were being the ‘difficult one’.

There is currently no law in the UK preventing this if you are out in public spaces.

So if you find yourself being one of those photographers and someone objects, stop and consider for a moment how it is for them. Accept that they find it a particular challenge and your actions are making them feel very uncomfortable. If you can do this without question or judgement, even better, it will be appreciated.

There’s more to be discussed on the subject of ‘Photographer Responsibility’ which will come out in a future blog.

In the meantime, do sign up to the mailing list for Love Your Image and stay up to date with new information and blogs.

I had to step outside my comfort zone…

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When studying my my own journey of why I hated being photographed, there were definitely a few things I really wasn’t happy with and had to face.

I had to step outside my comfort zone – was I prepared to do this?

I had to step outside my comfort zone and I knew this would be important if I was going to truly help others. But more than that, I wanted to change these persistent negative thoughts. Were they simply becoming a bad habit?

Along the way I heard other photographers saying “why do you think I’m on the other side of the lens?” It didn’t make them a bad photog, far from it. I hold great respect for others skills in this profession. However, felt that sort of comment perhaps provided empathy, but didn’t solve a problem.

Collecting stories and information from others helped too.

Because we don’t all come with the same reasons. Some don’t mind the actual photography part, but don’t like the results. For some it’s the other way round – and for some it’s all of it. People have shared stories of the lengths they will go to avoid these situations.

I also discovered that the stories could be separated between professional and non-professional shoots and results. So there was my first route to helping others when they weren’t in front of my lens. Tips and things to look out for in non-professional shoots… that so many of us find ourselves in!

So back to that comfort zone.

Tthe photograph above illustrating one of those places for me. Did you know one of the first things that can cause a dislike in what you see in an image is familiarity. Because we’re so used to seeing our own image in the mirror. It is of course reversed when we see ourselves in a photograph and can look decidedly unfamiliar, but is how everyone else sees us. Our first reaction could be to dislike what we see… because it’s unfamiliar. Camera distortion, filters, light and many other elements will all be subjects of future blogs and articles.

Studying what affects others has helped my own journey

… and adding my experience as a professional photographer, I continued my research. Although there can be similarities, it’s a very individual journey for people. After trying and testing different things, that worked, Love Your Image began to take shape in its concept.! I therefore mixed skills from both sides of the lens – it’s REALLY difficult to know how you are in front of a camera without any sort of helpful guidance. Photographer responsibility is the subject of another update!

So when you feel brave enough to bring about some change (that can have a positive effect on other areas of your life too) get in touch for a free review session https://loveyourimage.co.uk/review-your-image/. In the meantime don’t forget you can sign up to the mailing list, access free tips and receive updates and information.

Boring old headshot… really??

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I recently saw a statement on social media that made me read further… it read ‘don’t want a boring old headshot?’ It occurred to me that I’ve never seen a ‘boring old headshot’ – a poor one perhaps, but not boring. It might be poor in its technical production, for example, poorly lit and too dark, too much contrast, out of focus, an old holiday snap, wrong angle… and then there’s the expression… stiff, nervous, apprehensive, serious and decidedly questionable. So if the offering to pep up a ‘boring old headshot’ is to put someone on a brightly coloured background, what about that expression??

90% of the success of a good headshot is in the expression. Many people who dislike their photograph being taken, will also say they would like to be captured as ‘friendly and approachable’. Yes you can have a fantastic fine art portrait of someone with a non-smiling expression. It could be wistful, contemplative, cheeky, thoughtful… but for business engagement that’s probably not the best style to go for. There is a friendly and approachable expression in all of us… after all it’s part of our personality.

Our image says a great deal about us and if you form opinions of others by their online image before you get to meet them, you can be sure others will be doing the same about you.

So if you want to encourage trust and engagement with others in your business world, friendly and approachable is the best way forward. Not fixed and posed, but natural and spontaneous… and definitely not boring, whatever background is decided upon.

Professional headshots on different backgrounds.

Professional headshots packages for those less than comfortable in front of the camera.