For anyone who has followed my blog for awhile, you’ll know I hate taking photos of myself.. in fact that is why there are so many here on this blog. I know, you think that doesn’t make sense.. but I swear it does.
Months ago I started An unexpected journey with the goal of pushing myself out of my comfort zone in order to grow as an individual.
One of the things that made me the most uncomfortable on that list, is self portraits. And that’s why my face is all over this blog. I think doing the things that makes us the most uncomfortable helps to build confidence and grow overall as a human being.
Also, I would like to take portrait photos for others in the future and I feel it’s good practice to try on myself... no matter how painful.
Onto the headshots
I am thankful to be a part of the Global Blockbuilders Conference in Austin next month and I was asked for a headshot for the website. Weirdly enough, I didn’t have any of those laying around...
So, I set up the camera.. tried a thousand different places where the lighting was ok and attempted to not look like a total stooge.
I seriously don’t know how people do this so well, I feel so completely awkward in front of the camera.. and so I figured I needed to share that awkwardness with all of you!
Nothing like a bit of behind the scenes right?! 😜
👆🏼This seriously is my natural face in front of the camera. I’m not sure if it’s because I can’t take myself seriously or if this is just the most comfortable position for my face... but it happens often..
Where do you put your hands!?! This is the weirdest part for me for some reason.. I don’t know what to do with them.. it’s like it’s just too awkward to look into a camera straight forward without doing something with your hands..
At this point I felt like I was taking senior pictures and less like a professional headshot... but hey, maybe senior pictures is my calling!
Different place, different lighting.. still weird face...
Yep, that really should be the one... I mean.. this screams “take me seriously.” Don’t you think?
And after so much time setting up the tripod to not fall down the hill, setting the timer and doing spurts of takes at once.. I got one where my face doesn’t look weird.. right in time for the sun to come through the trees and mess it up 😄 I really should get a remote...
Ah, see.. looking away from the camera is my natural habitat! No? That won’t work for a headshot? Sheesh...
Ok, I’m sure you all have had enough of my face.. I know I have.
I did get a couple of decent shots, I guess.. after more weird ones then I’d like to admit...
And ended up going with this one as the winner...
Somehow it was the only one where I was “smiling” that didn’t look too weird.. Smiling is so awkward in front of a camera... and I feel like I look like a grown up there.. which apparently is important when you are in your 30’s 🤷🏻♀️
So, there is my painful adventure in getting a headshot.. next time you see that perfect photo by your favorite photographer, remember how many shots of awkward weirdness that took to get it! 😜
Oh and for the record, and for the sake of realness.. I do use an after editing to smooth my skin a bit and soften colors in each shot... because I’m an imperfect human and a bit of “smoothing” never hurt anyone. 😄
What do you do to push yourself out of your comfort zone?
Much Love,
Justine