Solidifying some notions following my Be You Movement, I'm realizing more and more a desire to portray people in portraits as authentically as possible. Perhaps it's the fact that I've seen so many weddings, so many people being posed and so many trendy strike-a-poses (teapot arm!) that I just keep wondering, is this You? Or are you hiding behind some selfie-faced Facebook ideal of portraiture?
Dislike. I want my photo subjects to relax, let loose and forget the camera is there entirely. Difficult, I know. Especially when most are not familiar with or comfortable with being photographed. However, relaxing and forgetting the camera is the only way people can show me who they really are. This is less difficult on a wedding day than it is for family or engagement portraits when I have people in front of me just waiting for direction.
Here's where You come in. Yes! You have some work to do for truly authentic portraits to happen!
I'll reiterate, because it's important:
If you don't know who you are, there's no way I can invent you for you. I can only assume who you are, and that's likely not even a smidge of the real deal. In that scenario, you turn into a template. Templates are neither personal nor enriching, and we're shooting for both here when it comes to your experience with me as your photographer. There's nothing greater to you (and me!) than laughing and enjoying an experience that brings you back to who you are and reminds you of what fulfills you.
That's deep! Yes. Deeper than just a portrait session.
I'm devising ways to discover people without prying too much, and to make portrait sessions an experience that stirs up life in people. I won't even say I want to "customize" your portraits or give you a "unique" experience because those words are over-saturating every photographer's profile these days, to a point where they mean nothing. Those words aren't even coming from the angle I'm coming from.
The angle I'm coming from is: This isn't just a portrait session. It's an exploration of Self, enjoyment, enrichment and happiness. Wouldn't it be great to capture that moment in a photo?
Let's stir up some life in you!
Amanda
www.amkarphoto.com
Dislike. I want my photo subjects to relax, let loose and forget the camera is there entirely. Difficult, I know. Especially when most are not familiar with or comfortable with being photographed. However, relaxing and forgetting the camera is the only way people can show me who they really are. This is less difficult on a wedding day than it is for family or engagement portraits when I have people in front of me just waiting for direction.
Here's where You come in. Yes! You have some work to do for truly authentic portraits to happen!
Half of my ability to portray you authentically is your ability to know yourself and tell me about it.
I'll reiterate, because it's important:
- Know yourself. Who are you? What do you do (I don't mean career)? What do you like? What makes you smile?
- Communicate with me. Forget about insecurities here, because I you need to tell me your concerns. I won't photograph you from above if you dislike your balding top, and I won't let him pick you up if you like to wear short skirts. Listen, I'm used to seeing peoples' flaws (it's my job to retouch many of them), I'm used to seeing ladies naked, and I'm used to seeing babies come out of mothers. You need to tell me both what you like and don't like about yourself so that I can focus on or avoid the correct things.
Soul in a photograph is what makes it genuine, and therefore valuable.
If you don't know who you are, there's no way I can invent you for you. I can only assume who you are, and that's likely not even a smidge of the real deal. In that scenario, you turn into a template. Templates are neither personal nor enriching, and we're shooting for both here when it comes to your experience with me as your photographer. There's nothing greater to you (and me!) than laughing and enjoying an experience that brings you back to who you are and reminds you of what fulfills you.
"Know thyself." - Socrates
That's deep! Yes. Deeper than just a portrait session.
I'm devising ways to discover people without prying too much, and to make portrait sessions an experience that stirs up life in people. I won't even say I want to "customize" your portraits or give you a "unique" experience because those words are over-saturating every photographer's profile these days, to a point where they mean nothing. Those words aren't even coming from the angle I'm coming from.
The angle I'm coming from is: This isn't just a portrait session. It's an exploration of Self, enjoyment, enrichment and happiness. Wouldn't it be great to capture that moment in a photo?
Let's stir up some life in you!
Amanda
www.amkarphoto.com
