Have you ever had a photo session where afterwards, you felt like everything was off? Well, guess whatâŚÂ
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If you didnât like your makeup after receiving your pictures, itâs not you– itâs your photographer.
If you didnât like your hair, itâs not you– itâs your photographer.
If you didnât like the backgrounds⌠you get the idea.
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Alexandra Wright: Best Friend / Hip Tomboy / Office Girl
The list of complaints I hear when talking to clients is endless, not to mention the woes of having wasted their money. đ¸
When an actress expresses to me how wrong her hair and makeup were from her previous session, the first question I ask is if the photographer gave her a chance to review the images.
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Surprisingly, the answer 99% of the time is yes, but the reason for the failed results is always because she didnât speak up and figured âthey knew what they were doing.â đââď¸
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Brad Anderson: Blue Collar / Casual Dad / FBI Agent
Cara AnnMarie: Detective / BBQ Mom
This story is always the same.
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The photographer and the makeup artist both raved about how good her hair and makeup looked, giving her the impression that she should trust them even though she herself wasnât thrilled.
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Thereâs a misconception that what you donât like in person, will magically turn out better in a photo because others like it.
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Well lemme set the record straight now.
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With photography, what you see is what you get.
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The camera doesnât produce magic. ⨠It only reveals the photographerâs ability to capture reality as he/she sees it.Â
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The truth is, no matter how experienced a team, nobody knows what theyâre doing when it comes to YOUR personal preference.
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Erica Allseitz: Grad Student / Helpful Employee / Heroine
JP Hubbell: Musician / Suburban Dad
Val Temirov: The Bully / Best Friend / Nerd
The trick is to work with photographers who create an environment that’s conducive to speaking up  by asking you what you think of the makeup, the hair, and the wardrobe.
Because you deserve to express your opinions and be a part of the creative process, no matter what. After all, you’re the one paying for your headshots! đ°
Related article: What Does “Interviewing” Photographers Really Mean?
Have you ever had this experience? If so, how did you handle it?
Shawn Hunter: Casual Business / BBQ Dad
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Well said: “It’s not your fault”. Few people are comfortable in front of the camera or consider themselves photogenic. I’d say 80% of the photographer’s role(s) is cheerleader, coach, and rapport-builder