Feeling anxious is generally fleeting and can affect us for a whole range of reasons.  However, let people know you are a photographer and even the most confident of women will often respond with feelings of apprehension. 

Regrettably, it can deter female business owners from having a photoshoot, despite professional images contributing to their overall branding and success. Market research reports that photographs encourage engagement and increase the likelihood of people to act.   

We are sharing the three most popular questions we're asked by women, in the hope you are reassured that a photoshoot is not only confidence building but enjoyable too! 

We hear this a lot . . . an awful lot!  No doubt most of you have muttered this to yourselves at some time or another.  In fact, you are probably reaffirming it right now.

Facing lights and lenses is enough to make anyone feel vulnerable and unsettled.   All those natural expressions and smiles disappear if you over-think the situation.  The outcome usually resembles an uncanny likeness to Wallace & Gromit! 

A good photographer will guide you through your photoshoot session and uncover those genuine expressions.   It can take time to look beyond the camera and naturally engage with the photographer, but it is well worth it for the end results. 

A combination of lens, lights and camera tilts can make what you love about yourself prominent and what you least love concealed.  Whole books are written on posing techniques but as a rule they create shapes and space, enhance natural lines and angles, and help you to look natural and convey the message you want to get across. 

No need to worry about all of this though – as photographers, we’ve got you. 

Try this simple example for a headshot and see how you get on:   

• Imagine a piece of string in the centre of your head pulling you up.
• (Now you should feel stretched and upright).
• Push your head forward (like a turtle) to define the jaw-line - but keep shoulders relaxed back.
• Drop your head very slightly and look directly into the camera. 

This statement is usually followed by “You’ll need it if you’re photographing me!” 

Initially the aim is to ensure you look remarkable at the point of taking the picture, using the techniques we spoke about. 

However,  we do use Photoshop and post process our images. Typically to adjust highlights, shadows and whites but also to brighten the eyes, remove stray hairs or an unexpected blemish. 

To demonstrate, below is the same image taken before and after post processing, you will notice some slight adjustments, but overall it stays true to the person.   

Headshot Before and After Retouching

Are you feeling a little better about having your picture taken?  We hope so! If nothing else do it for your business . . . and stand out from your competition.     

Do you feel nervous about having your photograph taken? You're not alone - even the lovely people at Novis & Co, who know us really well, felt a little wobbly before their shoot. Click here to see how we helped them feel right at home.

And if you'd like to chat it through, just call us on 07790 753852 or message via our Contact Us page. No pressure at all.

As seen in our column in the Yorkshire Businesswoman Magazine .