I was discussing with a client today the variations I get in the studio of people’s desire to have their photo taken.
It varies from a subject with complete confidence, a performer having fun in front of the camera to those who really want to crawl under the backdrop and just get it over with! It always surprises me when the most beautiful people tend towards the latter!
My client suggested that people use selfies because they feel they can control the shot. They get to see what the selfie looks like as they take it.
What I have learned as a photographer is that as soon as people know there is a camera on them they put on their posed face. Their smiley face. The face they show the world. Sometimes this is not quite demonstrative of their personality. Their focus may be just a bit off because they are looking at themselves on the screen and their smile can appear disingenuous. When people are unaware of how to get a great selfie it can be a shot from a really awful angle that is not very flattering. Often people use selfies with backgrounds that are inappropriate, distracting or shots with other people in them that dilute the power of the shot.
Selfies might give the false impression of control over the shot but the reality is that you get a shot that looks very posed and is lacking in personality.
As professional photographers, we search for the emotion in every shot. Perfect poses are often not the most memorable images, its the ones that show great emotion.
Of course a great composed image that looks beautiful is what we are always striving for but when it is at the expense of a shot that shows heart, then it misses the mark.
Show heart, show connection!