My Own Portrait Shoot…. True Story!

A few years ago, I finally decided it was time to have my very own portrait studio photoshoot. I picked an award-winning photographer whose work I LOVED…. I saved, planned, shopped, and even travelled to the US to have my photos taken.

The day of my shoot arrived and I was filled with nerves… all of my nagging insecurities were running through my mind….

“I’m not thin enough”

“My skin isn’t looking good”

“My eyes are puffy… I look so tired!”

“I’m too awkward”

I got so worked up that I broke out in hives…YES, HIVES… the morning of my shoot!

Thank God for great makeup artists who know how to make even a face full of red spots look flawless.

How ironic, right? Put me on the other side of the camera, and all of a sudden I was terrified that even an award-winning photographer wouldn’t be able to make me look good in photos.

So trust me, I’ve been there too. I totally understand what you mean when you say “But Petrina, I’m just NOT photogenic”.

We often think that being photogenic is some sort of SUPERPOWER that only SOME women have… some secret ingredient or extra dose of gorgeousness that makes them look good in photos. But let me tell you now, that’s pure BUNK.

*And it’s what I had to remind myself when having my own photos taken.

The dictionary defines photogenic as ‘having features that look good in a photograph’.

The TRUTH is that everyone…. including YOU… have SPECIAL, UNIQUE and STUNNING features. 

Whether it’s great eyes, a beautiful mouth, or chiselled collarbones; the task of a skilled photographer is to highlight the features that make you uniquely and beautifully YOU.

As a part of the portrait experience, it is my main focus to direct all of the elements of a photograph to capture you at your BEST. 

Quickly identifying your unique beauty, I tailor every photograph using expert lighting and directed posing to reveal the photogenic woman that has ALWAYS been there.

Now you’ve heard my *almost disastrous* story… but there are so many stories of other women just like you, who thought they weren’t photogenic but were happily surprised at how their photos turned out. Read their stories here.

P.S: If you’ve read this and you still think you have to join that 10-week boot camp before getting your portrait done, I’ll let you know why that’s totally not the case in another post.