With a boisterous laugh Leann declared "My last headshot fell under the category of 'If Your Mugshot Was Okay'. This time I want to look friendly and inviting - like you can sit and talk with me."

Headshot created for Leann.

As an in-dorm resident faculty member, it was important that Leann's headshot make a welcoming impression to the students she would be getting to know.

"I'm jealous of the people who have spontaneous headshots that look like they were caught in an authentic moment. I want that for myself," Leann continued.

Knowing that she disliked being in front of the camera and was often dissatisfied with how she photographed, I made a point to craft partially posed moments that allowed for a cadid reaction.

In one of our favorite headshots, I had Leann look out a window, taking a moment to herself while I conversed with her. Then, I gave her a cue that resulted in her looking directly at me in a moment where her guard was down and she could be more of her authentic self, letting her walls slip down to see her beautiful smile

I often find that, as people desiring to connect with our viewers [those who will see our portraits], we spend much of our focus in our thoughts when we're in front of the camera. We hold ourselves back from a moment shared and focus on the moment we want to create.

I love working with people in such a way that helps them step out of their thoughts and into the moment, leaving only me to concentrate on the moment that needs to be captured.

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Winston-Salem Headshot Photographer | Jasper & Fern

“pho·to·gen·ic
/ˌfōdəˈjenik/

adjective
adjective: photogenic

1. (especially of a person) looking attractive in photographs or on film.
”a photogenic child””

— Google Dictionary

“Photogenic.” I hear this word all the time as a portrait photographer. It implies a natural beauty that always looks gorgeous no matter what lighting or angle or mood. I’m here to tell you that being photogenic is a myth - or, more specifically, a misconstrued idea.

As a photographer, I can tell you that I can get a bad picture of anyone just like I can get a good photograph of anyone. Just recall that viral photograph from a few years back of Beyonce performing where she was caught in an intense awkward face and every single muscle and vein in her body was on high alert. It wasn’t the most flattering, right? And that’s my point. Anyone, even Beyonce, can wind up with bad photographs of themselves.

Now, we’ve only addressed the first portion of what it means to be photogenic. In fact, if this idea was a photograph, we’d still be sitting with it in the Developer. It hasn’t moved to the Rinse or the Fix yet.

Let’s not ignore the secondary definition of photogenic as it pertains to biology - “BIOLOGY (of an organism or tissue) producing or emitting light.”

I. Love. This. Definition.

Why? Because photography, back before the first camera was invented - the whole idea behind photography - and then with the very first photograph ever taken - photography, is simply capturing light.

The whole reason photography works is because of light. Without light, there is no photography. Without getting too geeky (because, this science really gets me excited), here’s where I’m coming from.

We are all organisms - made of living tissue. All organisms and tissue, all matter, is made of atoms and energy; they emit and reflect lightwaves which is where colors come from. The different frequencies of light and how they are reflected by or absorbed by an object determines the colors that are visible.

We are all biological creatures producing or emitting light.

Have you ever watched someone who was sad laugh at a joke? Have you ever noticed the “pregnancy glow?” Maybe this will may seem too “woo” but I see science : The energy at which that person’s matter is moving increases and it emits a noticeable light.

And that, right there, is why I see being photogenic as a misconstrued idea.

When your likeness, your essence is being photographed all the camera is doing is capturing the light emitted off all the objects in the camera frame.

Everyone, by the science of it, is photogenic. It’s not a standard by which to compare people or judge yourself.

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Like this? You may also enjoy Beth’s story.

Her warmth bubbled across the phone line, lighting up a room she wasn’t even present in. I knew the moment I talked to her on the phone she was a lovely person. She was a conundrum, shy and bold at the same time. Her tone and cadence had a way of pulling you into the conversation. I couldn’t wait to meet her.

”I don’t want to look stodgy,” Beth said. She’d previously had some photographs done that she wasn’t happy with. “They don’t capture my personality,” continuing on to say that she didn’t find herself to be photogenic - something I hear quite often from my portrait clients. Immediately, I knew what I had to do.

I was in shock the day of her session. I didn’t know what to expect based on how she’d described herself and her style on the phone but I certainly wasn’t expecting the bouncing, radiance of color walking through my door. A bright kelly green handbag was highlighted against her striking royal blue blazer; her red shoes stood in confidence. Against the flush of color, her sharp, clean silver bobbed hair perfectly framed her face. Amongst everything that was unexpected, she was just as warm as I’d surmised. There was no way she wouldn’t be photogenic!

After sitting and chatting a while and then thumbing through the her professional attire she’d brought to have her headshots made in, we began her session. Over the phone she’d mentioned that she wanted her femininity, fierceness and professionalism to translate into her photographs - all while maintaining an approachable appearance. This was a combination I was excited to try!

In the end, her loveliness translated perfectly. We captured some fierce headshots as well as some portraits that brought out the light I’d initially heard over the phone. The BEST part?? She was so happy with the headshots that she shared them immediately with friends and family - something she wasn’t akin to doing. *heart melting*

Business Headshot of Beth displaying her warmth, professionalism and femininity | Winston Salem Business Photographer

Professional Business Portrait of Beth wearing her red blazer and sporting her silver bobbed hair | Winston Salem Business Photographer

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