Of late I have been thinking more on the subject of Photography. Especially with regards to what I do and my clients.
I truly believe my job is so much more than that of a photographer. I would like to think I give more than an image when the session is finished. I have had many conversations with clients and they all say the same thing (whether conscious of it or not), they feel GOOD about themselves with the session and resulting images.
In many respects I think men have an easier time of it. We are brought up with sports and ruggedness and “Action Man” for toys (“G.I. Joe” for my American friends). We are expected to get dirty and play rough and get in a mess. And later we care less that our hair thins or we get salt and pepper colouring. We turn into that which society expects.
But women, women are brought up with the more impossible “Barbie” ideal, where everything is perfect and no-one ages or puts on a pound. Where perfection is sought by a society out of touch with reality. The press, magazines, TV all bombard with visions of false reality and expectations. Yet it truly is ALL false.
Why do we look at ourselves in the mirror? Why do we try on clothes in front of the mirror? Is the mirror our silent critic? The unspeaking one who truly knows us and will tell us when we look good and make us feel better?
As a photographer I am expected to produce photographs. Well composed, lit and exposed images. But I truly feel my role is SO much more. I strive to be the mirror. My lens IS the mirror. I want to get to know you, to gain a rapport with you, in so much I can effect a feeling that the mirror does.
Knowing what someone wants, how they would like to be seen, how to best help pose and light them to show their best attributes to the fullest, how to frame and capture their true beauty and all in turn, how to make them feel good about themselves!
We all deserve to feel good about ourselves and all should. I truly feel the therapeutic effects of beautiful images of ourselves is immeasurable. So, to me, it’s SO much more than Photography!
I truly LOVE my career. I feel I get paid twice, once in a way to pay my bills, feed myself and provide shelter. But also in a greater way that makes my heart glow.
Many moons ago I taught Scuba Diving (I have been an Instructor since my early 20’s). Many of my co-workers were hungry for more and had the desire to become Master Instructor’s and higher. To gain such a title required the teaching and qualification of students in different levels of diving, inc. Rescue Diver, Advanced Diver etc. But I was more than content to only teach beginners. Why was that? Why was I content to stay where I was? I am NOT a person to rest on their laurels, in fact I am very driven, so why was this. It’s actually quite simple. I was being selfish
I wanted that feeling, that feeling I got when my student had taken their very first open water dive in the ocean and experienced a whole new world! I wanted to be the one to see the wonder in their eyes and see the beating of their glowing heart.
Now, later in life I still crave that feeling and that is why I say I am paid twice. I LOVE the feeling I get when my clients see their photograph’s for the first time. I adore hearing their excitement and seeing the joy in their eyes. I am still selfish in a way I guess, but no excuses So my passion, my goal, my desire is to illicit such a response from my clients, my subjects (with the photograph’s I create for and of them), that they feel so good about themselves it radiates.
So again, it’s SO much more than Photography! Indeed it may be therapy for both of us!
The image below is one I have posted before, but it’s a great way to show the trust and rapport that can be attained which results in a beautiful yet quite simple and timeless image.
It was captured near the end of the session with one simple window for lighting. I believe it convey’s the beauty and softness of the female form whilst being sexy and seductive and truly made the subject feel good about themselves.
Inner Beauty Revealed
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