When we go into a portrait session, we let every client know we want to try and accomplish 3 things, that we're after 3 types of pictures for them. We want the picture for Grandma so she can hang it on the wall and admire her grandbaby. We want the photo for them personally...the shot that makes them appear how "they" want to appear to the rest of the world. Then we want the image that is their true, real, genuine, 100% unique self.That's where the battle begins. Sometimes that's where the battle ends, too.
It's very hard to be your "real" self when there are a couple (or more) people staring at you with what looks like telescopes on the front of their cameras. Throw in a mom, a dad, a sibling, a make-up artist, a costume designer, a boyfriend, etc., etc., etc....all throwing in their 2 cents or if not that, at least "looking" at them...oh my, how could anyone be themselves in that kind of an environment?
The Corny, Ridicules, Artificial and Phony smile and facial expression (we'll say C.R.A.P. for short) problem begins as soon as you're born. We're brainwashed as soon as we plop out of mom. Clean the little gooey thing up, put a little cute hat of pink or blue on us, tickle or pinch us to get a cute little reaction...and our start to putting a mask on the real us, our C.R.A.P. face, has begun! We say "cheese" the whole, entire rest of our lives, it seems. Let's not even get started on our 12-13 years of school photos.
Now don't get me wrong, we absolutely HAVE to get some C.R.A.P. shots. I want them of my kids, I hang them on my walls, I tell everyone who sits in front of my camera to give me at least one! We have to have C.R.A.P.!!! But at the same time, we all have to be aware and freely admit that those photos are not going to be the ones that last the test of time. Just think of all the famous portraits out there...Karsh's photo of Churchill, McCurry's Afghan Girl, or even DaVinci's Mona Lisa. Real expressions, real emotions...Real Good!!! Not a cheesy smile in the bunch.
So if you see me look down at my camera screen and say "man, that looks like crap", don't be alarmed. It probably is a pretty good photo of you. But be prepared, I might be just about ready to ask you to do a couple of frames minus the smile...
Jeffrey
