it's scary to have your picture taken.
its also AWKWARD.
what do you do?
how do you act?
how will you look?
will you like them?
"am i doing okay?"
"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME, PHOTOGRAPHER??????"
out of everyone who i've photographed in the past four years, 95% of people warn me about how bad they are at having their photo taken.

i have the I'm Scared! chat with practically every client who hires me.
i think 50% of my job is calming fears and giving positive affirmation, which i love---- because when i calm you down, you are able to light up. its what i love to do. light you up.

so, i've decided to bring the conversation to my blog, to level the field and let everyone know that YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE!
honestly.
everyone freaks out.... but look at the happy, natural, lovely photos we somehow are able to get!

here are my secrets.
1. take a few deep breaths, literally
2. your job is to simply exist.  just be you. no need to put on a show.
3. i will tell you where to go, what to do...we'll just be chatting, having a good time for an hour, and magically you'll have amazing photos of yourself.

is it THAT easy?
kind of. 
i honestly think that good photos come out of an acceptance of who you are, and a willingness to be seen.  if you're willing to have me really SEE you, really spend time with YOU, really uncover who you are and capture what i see, then the session is easy. its no problem. my approach to photography is to capture real life.  i'm always paying attention to the light---- putting you in the places where you'll look the best. more importantly though, i'm trying to notice and capture who you really are.  we're not trying to force anything.

are you still with me?
i have lots of thoughts on this, so if you're into it, keep reading.

a photo session IS scary at first,
but lately i've been interested in pressing into that fear.  using the space of a photo session to face it head on.  taking the experience you have with me during your session, and uncovering the layers of what it was like for you to be in front of the camera.

there are a few issues though.
a) photo sessions are not a normal part of life. this is not NATURAL. i get that.
b) it takes vulnerability to relax and just be.  that means that someone gets to see you.  will they like what they see? thats a big question to face.
c) this is a risk.  you have to be present and trust me.  trust that i'll see you as You.  trust that i'll see something lovely.  trust that i won't make you look horrible.

so.
i've been taking time after delivering the images from a portrait session to talk about the experience.
>> what was that like for you?
>> what did you learn about yourself?
>> what is it like to see what i saw in you?
>> how does it feel to be given so much attention?
>> did you feel like you were YOU during our session?
>> did you feel like i LET you be you?
>> did you feel like you had to perform at all? why?
things like this.

yeah, its kind of like therapy.  i love it.
i did three years of therapy myself.... realized all sorts of insecurities that am still dealing with.

i think that having your photograph taken can be a really freeing experience, if you are willing to take that risk, be vulnerable, and trust me.

it can also be celebratory and monumental.  something to look at and say, "that's ME, and for once, i like me."

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so.
i want to offer a huge discount to you guys if you want to have the experience of being seen. i have room in my schedule right now for two sessions, and i'd like to offer them for $200 instead of the normal $350, because i like you.  if you're interested email yes@shannonleith.com and we'll set you up. only the first two though... sorry i can't fit more in! (SOLD OUT)
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