Tag Archives: confidence

three images of a lady with questioning expression on her face

“The photos got inside my head!”

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The photos got inside my head!

Yes this is something I heard very recently – “the photos got inside my head”! So my last blog was on what we think of ourselves when we look in the mirror, or see ourselves in a photograph. Following on from this, I heard an interesting story recently from a lady I know.

She and her family went on a holiday cruise earlier in the year. There were photograph opportunities organised for families and guests on board. In no uncertain terms, she relayed how it was the worst photoshoot experience she had ever had, and without all the detail, she hadn’t enjoyed the experience and hated the results.

BUT my biggest concern was when she then said that the photographs ‘got inside my head’ and made her seriously doubt about how she looked. On their return, she went on a strict diet (because of how she felt) and did a family shoot at home using her phone and tripod. This was to re-assure herself that she didn’t look quite so bad.

Now I will often tell people, they may from time to time see images of themselves they’re not keen on, but it DOESN’T mean you can’t take a good one. This is to help them understand that often there are reasons and elements in a photograph that were outside their responsibility or control.

In a very early blog, I questioned the common saying ‘the camera never lies’. I still say this saying is not strictly true. Bear this in mind as you read…

Her story really troubled me and I found myself with all sorts of questions.

  • Did the shipping company use professional photographers?
  • How had they got the lights set?
  • Had they got the right angles for people?
  • Importantly, did the families and guests have an enjoyable experience?

Perhaps the photographers were rushed themselves if they had a lot of people to get through? However ‘conveyer belt’ photography is rarely going to achieve good results. If they were rushed, there was not going to be much opportunity for people to have a good experience.

From the information I was given the results of the images were far from flattering or accurate. However, whatever the photographers did or didn’t get right, it was how this particular lady was left feeling, when she stated – “the photos got inside my head”!

BUT as I mentioned earlier, it was the effect the results had on someones view of themselves.

Many people could see this as a reason to never want to be photographed again. While understandable, is perfectly avoidable.

So following on from last months blog, this is an interesting story of how we see ourselves in photographs. Perhaps it’s simply a knowledge thing, so ‘non photographers’ get some idea why some photographs are not particularly appealing.

Why do I bang on about the importance of lighting, angles and an enjoyable experience?

Because they are such important factors to achieving images you’ll love.

Have you ever had a similar experience?

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Don’t forget, the You Tube channel has tips for being photographed running up to Christmas available 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/@love-your-image

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NEWS – Watch this space!

With the new year just around the corner – I plan to merge Love Your Image with Penny Morgan Photography. 
More news on this coming soon 🙂

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A lady receiving advise from a photographer and the finished results

Comfort Zones, confidence and control – what comes first?

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What comes first to make a change or feel we are moving forward in our lives?

Comfort zones, confidence and control – what comes first? People who dislike getting in front of a camera and being photographed, often say they can’t imagine what it might be like to feel differently. For many it had’t even occurred to them this was something they could change. The turning points could be:

  • When it starts to impact something important to you.
  • When you realise it’s holding you back.
  • When you realise you don’t want to feel like that anymore.


So what happens first?

  • Do we just shut our eyes and step into the unknown, because what have we got to lose?
  • Do we need to find an element of confidence before we can step out of our comfort zone?
  • Do we need to have some control to take that step, in order for our confidence to grow?

Well yes, anyone of these things may be right for different people.


People feel out of control.

I’ve been hearing an increasing number of comments around the area of ‘control’ relating to getting in front of a camera. People feel out of control, or they have no control over the situation. This seems to be growing with our society’s use of phone cameras. More than that, an increased assumption in people that they can capture anybody anywhere without considering how individuals feel. Indeed, at a business event/networking meeting, you come to expect it will happen at some point.

  • You could be at a private gathering where you don’t necessarily know everyone.
  • You may not know where these images are going to end up.
  • You may feel even more uncomfortable asking to exclude yourself from the images.

You could feel trapped between a rock and a hard place.

 

Perhaps you have more control than you think.

So considering our subject of ‘comfort zones, confidence and control – what comes first’, perhaps you have more control than you think? You should always feel you are able to politely exclude yourself from images, without fear of judgement or complaint. Learning to deal with responses such as “oh you’ll be fine” or “well I want to capture everyone here”, is both achievable and empowering.

Learning how to position yourself and importantly, what to focus on when in such a situation will also put you much more at ease.

If working with a professional, it is they who should help you feel in control. This will likely make you feel happier and more at ease, achieving a positive effect on the results.

 

I want to change how I feel.

If like me, you may be a bit stubborn and prefer to discover everything for yourself! However, learning interesting facts and information that provide me with lightbulb moments for change or improvement – is empowering! It’s something I’ve achieved in myself and observed in others.

When you’ve made a decision for change, non judgemental guidance can make so much difference. Not to do the challenge for you – but to provide step by step insights and help you see a different perspective. Provide encouragement and belief in yourself. Your journey is not their journey, but they will be there to help you achieve your goals.

Interestingly, some of the things mentioned in this blog, I did mention in an earlier one, written and published two years ago and you could find a helpful read – I had to step outside my comfort zone

So you receive more blogs like these, make sure you sign up to the mailing list on – Love Your Image

Secondly, you can sign up for a free consultation and review what your options could be – Review Your Image

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All systems are moving forward with the planned online courses – 🙂 – news out soon.

Don’t forget to visit our You Tube channel to find useful tips and recorded conversations – Love Your Image You Tube channel.

woman holding her hands in front of her face

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.

Getting in front of the camera…? Presentation skills… how are yours?

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It’s becoming the normal thing now – search online for what you are looking for and watch a video about it. I’ve done it, there are umpteen videos on cameras and their functions and you find the one that makes sense to you and ‘ticks all your boxes’. 

BUT what causes us to stick with a video we choose to watch, whether it’s for information, in one form or another or entertainment? I’ve seen people having a rant about so many poorly produced videos. We are all used to people complaining about what they don’t like, but if you view something that’s really good and keeps your attention, tells you what you want to know and/or keeps you entertained – do you remember it, decide to follow them, recommend it to others, go back and watch more???

With the technology easily available to everyone on their smartphone, tablet, laptop, it’s no wonder in our ‘instant’ world people expect to be able to do this straight away with little preparation or thought.

But that’s just it, when they try and realise its perhaps not so easy and give up – with a little prior planning, consideration AND practise, it is achievable. 

Yes we want people to be themselves, which is very important, but nerves and distraction get in the way and turn people into something quite different!

No film producer ever gave someone a script and expect them to become word perfect straight away. 

We are running our third Video Presentation Skills Workshop on 31st October, at the lovely Nowton Court venue just outside Bury St Edmunds. This workshop brings its main focus on ‘why to do it’ ‘what to say’ and ‘how to say it’, keeping the technical aspect very simple and straight forward.

#videomarketing #mediatraining #newskills #howto #BuryStEdmunds  

Video Presentation Skills Workshop

Video Presentation Skills Workshop

NEW PROGRAM OF HELP – 121 tuition – ‘Animate Your Image’

The Video Presentation Skills Workshop ties in nicely with the launch of a new 121 program of help, which is ideal to really get those presentation skills to camera nailed confidently.

Animate Your Image

Animate Your Image

It follows on and adds to the existing brand of help with ‘Love Your Image’ and ‘Evolve Your Image’. These were developed to specifically help those who are less than confident in front of the camera for photographs and provides them the tools to change this habit of thinking and behaviour.

Our image says a great deal about us and if you’ve formed opinions of others when you’ve seen a headshot or avatar, then its likely others are doing the same about you. 

Knowing how to get in front of any camera and be yourself without nerves and anxiety is a real bonus for you and your business. 

#confidence #loveyourimage #headshots #avatars #bodylanguage 

Video… hang on, I’ve never talked about video before??

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Are you one of those people who find yourself saying “I really should get started with video marketing”? What holds you back? Is it technical know-how, or perhaps not knowing what to say, or just complete fear of putting yourself in front of the camera?

Perhaps you are like many others and are now watching several self made videos online. You probably watch some all the way through and are happy with what you’ve seen and learned, or just been thoroughly entertained… it did what it said on the tin! But how many do you tire of all too soon and switch off? It’s pretty important to understand ‘why’ you like some and not others, if you are going to start creating your own.

Creating your own video doesn’t replace working with a professional videographer, but getting to grips with it, can set you up to confidently engage with and grow your audience, because today it’s all about building that trust and engagement. Photographs and videos can be the first thing people ever see of you.

Let me ask you this – if you were to employ yourself to represent your business or company in photographs, presentations and videos … do you think you’d get the job?

Hang on… I’m a photographer, I’ve not talked about video before, so what’s going on? Firstly, I’m not about to venture into this skill set. Having always concentrated on helping people be more confident in front of the camera for photographs, it’s been a natural progression to also build people’s skills and confidence in front of the camera for video.

You have the perfect resource to use… that’s yourself, because you and what you do, are who your audience are interested in. Learning to develop these skills is within your reach.

On the 23rd May, I will be running a half day Video Presentation Skills workshop just outside Bury St Edmunds, in collaboration with MarleyBird Communications, focusing on the importance of ‘what you should say’ and ‘how you should say it‘ to create great marketing content without costing you much more than your time.

Be one of those businesses others talk about, recommend and share your videos.

'I've really got to get to grips with Video Marketing'
‘I’ve really got to get to grips with Video Marketing’

Video Presentation Skills Workshop

Is this you?

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We’re introduced at a networking meeting and a professional rapport was established. I viewed the photographers website and checked out their online presence. All the people in the images must be professional models as they all look great/at ease with their poses

Emails are exchanged. Hard questions have to be faced. What do I want? How can this ever work? All the what if’s………………? I really don’t like my photograph being taken. I need to do this but I’m really not comfortable in front of the camera.

Time and date agreed, deposit paid, confirmation received – there’s no backing out now!

The dreaded day arrives, I have a plan, take it steady, arrive calm and relaxed – not. What a calamitous morning, heavy traffic encountered all the way to the shoot (Oh the irony, strike me down now!) running late. What do I wear – grabbed a selection of shirts – some are slightly smaller than I remembered!

I arrive at the venue and I’m greeted at the door, my nervous laughter mixed with babbling small talk – explaining the small shirts – why? What  do we want to achieve – professional, friendly, approachable? All the while my insides are churning like a washing machine on spin cycle!

A backdrop, big lights with reflective umbrellas, but strangely an air of calm slowly begins to descend over me. The offer of a coffee delays the impending failure / gory experience. This is not going to work, how can I look good in a picture?

Lights, camera and action! Seated on a posing block, the heat radiating from the lights is akin to basking in the midday sun. Calming, soothing words of guidance, helping me find a comfortable position. Slight tilt of the head, right hand onto thigh and just drop those shoulders. I interact with the photographer and their assistant, use my hands, my expressive side showing through. Big smile, drop the chin, a serious look. A slurp of coffee between poses, hey, this isn’t too bad!

Wow, I have a best side, but I knew that all along and this is all feeling so much better than I had anticipated. And relax.

I’ve been sat here for thirty minutes already and time is flying by. All change and into the “smaller than I remember shirt” . I do believe that I can carry this off. The talking continues, adjusting position, lean forward from the waist, turn my face a little and back the other way.

And it’s over. Gather my things, the images will be ready within ten working days and I can view them in a password protected folder. Choose the ones that I prefer and they will be mine.

On reflection, that was a goods experience. I left feeling a lot better about how to be myself in front of the camera. Gone is the awkwardness and the toothy grimace masquerading as a smile.

Having a professional take the shots is so much more than someone just pressing a button. They can understand you and get the best out of you. That is when great shots are achieved.

 

Image copyright Penny Morgan Photography.

I love me, I love my image

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How many times have your heard remarks which are derogatory in nature, but not seriously intended, ‘off the cuff’, ‘in jest’, ‘I didn’t mean it’? Things about our looks, body and face features, height, weight, personality… anything really.

They are often mitigated with an ‘only joking’ caveat, as though this somehow limits the damage, but it’s too late, the seed has been planted, germinated and is thriving. These comments can leave unseen impressions on us.

We scrutinise ourselves in the bathroom mirror, however photographs are the exact reverse of how we actually appear. This is one of the reasons why we think the images are not a true representation of how we look and why we are unfamiliar with them. Other people have only ever seen you as you view your image and, our friends see US, whereas we see what we perceive as our faults.

The camera never lies – Oh yes it can! No, this is not panto season, but we do see images that are not accurate and really believe this is how we are. Here are a few things that can effect the image:

1) Phone camera distortion – all the pictures of ourselves/friends we exclaim ‘Ooo eck, bulbous moon face’.

2) Light & shade – can be our friend and foe. As good as cameras are some lighting conditions can overwhelm them. Therefore its interpretation of light and shade is not always accurate.

Filters – flowers, big eyes, puppy dog ears and noses. All these things are seen as fun and amusing, but how many of us use them to hide behind?

We hear comments from ‘Can you make me look 10 years younger’ to ‘I look too young to be taken seriously’. 

Despite the bravado all the points covered affect men as well as women.

You have options, you don’t have to live with not liking your image.

Where do we turn to for reassurance? Online presence of beauty guides, behaviour guides, makeup, relationships, both personal and family. Who or what is right? For you – you are right. Our friends mean well but are they helping or worsening the situation? We share and empathise with each other but what do we do about it?

‘Love Your Image’ & ‘Evolve Your Image’ are bespoke products that will guide you through the potential pitfalls of having your photograph taken. You can learn why you feel anxious, nervous, or ’dread the thought’ … and how to do something about it.

Photograph copyright of Penny Morgan Photography

The ‘Elephant’ in the room… a photographers focus.

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So for the last two years, I’ve talked about getting to grips with changing how we feel about being photographed. Discovering just how many dislike it and/or the results, has been both eye opening and yet strangely not a surprise.

After developing the program ‘Love Your Image’, to help people who don’t like being photographed change this mind-set, has been an interesting and rewarding journey. Just about everyone thinks it’s a good idea and most will talk about it on a ‘general’ level, but how open would you want to be to discuss this subject on a much more personal level? No so much I find. Often what we don’t like about our image may feel somewhat trivial or connected with vanity and nobody really wants to admit to being vain? I hear so many different stories of why people don’t like their photograph taken, but if you are in business, can you afford to be an Eeore about it?

Being aware of your ‘Mind-set’ is being applied to many things these days and how you present yourself in images IS hugely important. Therefore so is changing your mind-set in front of the camera… and change it YOU CAN… this is something that is within an individuals reach regardless of how you have felt… perhaps for many years? With the right help and guidance you can do this.

To change how you feel and be among a growing group who have learned to ‘Love Their Image’ has MANY rewards. It’s neither trivial nor vain to decide to address this and the benefits are considerable.

The first step of the journey is:

  • Learning and understanding ‘why’ we arrive at such an attitude.
  • Useful tips on ‘how’ to be in front of the camera and why they work!

… and when you feel brave enough…

  • A photo-shoot – that only you see the results, until you are ready to share.
And that’s just the start, to making it a permanent change.

This doesn’t ask anything more of you than a willingness to be open minded to change.

So consider this… and its nothing to do with your size… can the ‘Elephant’ in your room be ignored any longer…?

Elephant In The Room

Photograph copyright of Penny Morgan Photography

The Photo-less Photo-shoot – no photos… guaranteed!

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Friday 27th May 2016, 10.00am – 12noon – Bury St Edmunds
£19.99 per person.

If you dislike being photographed and are less than happy with the results, then this seminar is for you!

Change your thinking and learn to ‘Love Your Image’.

Happy ladies from Love Your Image

 

 

 

 

 

Number are limited, so BOOK NOW to secure you place!
Get in touch by phone or email – 0845 257 2038 – design@pennymorgan.co.uk

Turn what you learn to your advantage, for business and pleasure – come and find out:

  • Where the dislike comes from
  • Guest speaker Linda Barbour – Calm, confident you
  • Learn valuable tips for being in front of the camera
  • Discover the lasting benefits to both work and personal life
  • Boost your confidence

NO ONE WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED!

“Really enjoyed it and format was good. Felt there was privacy to sit in the audience and just watch, listen and then to chat afterwards. Great use of assistant, really helped get message across in a humorous and visual way.” – K.N.

When?
Friday 27th May 2016 – 10am – 12noon.

Where?
The Active Business Centre, Bury St Edmunds.

Cost and how to book.
£19.99 per person, includes VAT and tea/coffee.

Places are limited, so book your seat NOW.
Phone: 0845 257 2038
Email: design@pennymorgan.co.uk

For more information, please visit our website page.

This seminar is part of the ‘Love Your Image’ program.

Love Your Image logo

 

 

 

If you feel you would like to go on and complete the program, all attendees of the seminar will qualify to book their photography session at a special rate – come and find out!

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Profile photography day – 17th May 2016

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Another head shot day is set for 17th May, at The Bury Farmers Club and in conjunction with The Best of Bury St Edmunds.

If you would like to update, refresh, or have brand new profile images, take advantage of this day. You can stay ahead of your competition buy having great profile photographs that represent you and your business – suitable for print, website and social media!

Individual sessions will be up to three quarters of an hour and you can book your session time by getting in touch and reserving a space. Your shoot will include 3 high resolution images of your choice from the edited selection. These will be available to view in a private online folder and always the option to purchase more if you wish. Choices will be made available to download from the website.

Special prices for this day are £90 for Best of Bury members and £100 for non members – prices include VAT.

WallofFame6

To book your session, contact me by email – design@pennymorgan.co.uk, or phone 0845 257 2038.

Deposit payment of £50 will be required to secure your session and payment details will be provided together with a VAT invoice.

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