The Power of Portrait

People often ask me what my favorite thing about being a portrait photographer is. When it comes down to it, my favorite thing is the POWER. Let me explain. 

Portrait photography is a powerful thing. It offers us a tangible, visual representation of ourselves. That’s where much of this power resides. 

Humans are a visual species. We are also storytellers. The stories we tell about ourselves, the self image we carry and our beliefs determine many outcomes in our lives. Seeing is a big step to believing. 

When we see ourselves in a particular way, whether it's beautiful, confident, or successful, we change our behaviors and thoughts to match. Visualizing creates neural pathways in our brain, so visualizing ourselves in a certain way will train the brain to help make it a reality. Even if it's just in our heads at first. Visualizing yourself as a certain way tells your neurons to perform the acts it associates with that role. If you visualize yourself as a successful person, you are much more likely to become a successful person. 

This is where portrait photography comes in. When I am designing a shoot for a client, oftentimes I ask them about their goals and how they would like to see themselves. We select looks that will help bring that vision to life. In the end, they are blown away because for the first time, usually, they are able to tangibly see themselves on the outside the way they feel on the inside. 

It’s that spark, that moment where I see them look at themselves for the first time and think, “Oh there you are!” to that person that's been wanting and waiting to be seen. And shooo! That moment is POWERFUL! Then when I see them out manifesting their new reality and owning who they really are. There’s truly no greater satisfaction. 

Now the only question is, how do you want to see yourself?