Hey there thanks for reading, and welcome back to my blog, sorry it's been a while since I've posted.
Photographs play an important role in everyone's life, they remind us of people, places, feelings, and stories from all the different periods in our lives. Anyway I recently had a conversation with an amazingly gorgeous woman (both in looks and personality) about doing a portrait shoot with her. But she didn't want to. At first she thought it would be a fun thing to do, then she changed her mind. Her reason was I'm not pretty enough to be a model!
I hear reasons to not do a portrait shoot like this all of the time, so lets put paid to some of the myths out there about doing a portrait shoot.
You don't have to be a model to get some portraits done. In fact I prefer working with people that haven't done a shoot before. I'll coach them through the session, and nothing beats the look on their face when they see the images for the first time.
I'm too fat. I'm to skinny. I have too many pimples or scars. I hear this a lot. The fact is most of the population do not have a perfect body. My job is to use my skills both with the camera and in my editing to make you look like the best version of you. I'm not going to make you a supermodel, I'm not going to turn you from a size 16 to a size 8, but I am going to portray you as well as I possibly can.
My husband / boyfriend /girlfriend/parents think it's a waste of money. Well while it is important to take on the opinions of significant people in your life, the only person who's opinion matters is yours. The absolute main reason you do a portrait shoot is because you want some great photos of yourself. If you want photos done - get them done!
I'm not photogenic. I hate photos of myself. Again I hear this time after time. As I said earlier I'll use all of my skills and the equipment I have at hand to capture and present the best image of you I can. Besides if you never get in front of a camera, what are your grandchildren going to be able to look at in years to come? And wouldn't you like them to say Grandma/pa had it going on back in the day!
I cant afford it. I offer no interest payment plans. Which basically works like this. You pay an amount each week or fortnight until you have paid half of your session fee. Then we do the shoot. Then you pay off the remainder each week or fortnight, and receive the images. All money gets held in a separate account and if for whatever reason you still decide to not go ahead and cancel with more than 7days notice you get your money back.
I don't want my pictures all over the internet. Lets face it you probably already post selfies and the like to Facebook and Instagram anyway, but the only time I ever post images of you to my socials or website is when I have your written consent.
I'm to old. You're never to old to get a portrait. Yes your face and body changes over the years. I know mine has. I definitely don't have the body of the 18yo Craig but I still make sure I jump in front of the camera every now and again to make sure there is relatively current photos of me floating around. And with age comes character... and again I'll certainly do my best whatever age you are.
I'm to shy. I don't know how to pose. Ok. Part of the process is for me to help you through that. I'll coach and help you with poses I like to build a relationship with my clients, have a joke and laugh. I like to have fun at my shoots. Before you know it you'll be relaxed and we'll be making some great images.
I don't have anything to wear. Bollocks! You have a whole wardrobe full of clothes. Yes some of them might not be suitable for a portrait shoot, but one of the best shoots I have done the model was just wearing jeans and t-shirt. I'll work with you, pre shoot to determine what sort of clothing will be suitable for your shoot.
Look there's probably way more that I could go in to, but at the end of the day if you have read this far, you get the gist. There isn't an excuse that can't be overcome if you want to. Cheers all Craig