A few weeks ago I asked my intern, Kim Lucas, to write about her recent senior portrait session with me. We went down to the Snow’s Cut Bridge by Carolina Beach and got some amazing shots, and I wanted Kim to express the way the session made her feel about herself.
Most senior girls are nervous and haven’t quite grown into themselves yet and discovered who they are. Kim struggles with anxiety and so do many of her friends at school. But Kim and her friends aren’t alone. Without fail, every time I have a portrait session with a female client, she says she’s nervous!
For this reason I thought it would be interesting to have Kim explain her feelings throughout the shoot and how she felt about herself after receiving the final photos. Since Kim is also an aspiring photographer, she has a unique perspective on the experience as both a client AND an artist. Here’s what Kim had to say.
A portrait session not only changes a subjects perspective on themselves, but it changes a photographer’s perspective as well. One of the main objectives of a portrait session is to make the client see the beauty in themselves. Theres just something about getting your photo professionally taken and edited that somehow builds a person’s confidence about their outer appearance. However, while the models perspective on their outer beauty is altered, a photographer’s viewpoint of their character and soul is revised.
Speaking from a personal experience, every time I complete a portrait session I always take a moment to focus on how I feel about myself. Each time I always manage to see myself differently. It makes me evaluate who I am and what I can become.
For example, a few months back I did a portrait session that consisted of a group of teenagers who suffered with anxiety. The main focus of the photoshoot was to have the teens identify the flaws they saw in themselves and then be surprised by all the good others see in them. Capturing their reactions to how other people viewed them made me reevaluate how I view myself. I used to see myself as someone who was just a useless teenager who had no say in this world.
However, after my photoshoot, watching someone’s face light up at the realization that they are more than that was just so inspiring and comforting. It made me take another look in the mirror and realize that I am not only an ugly, useless teenager, because that is how I saw myself.
It was then on I started to change my perspective on myself. I began to see the potential I have in changing peoples opinions about themselves for the better. I can help them see the potential they contain and realize that they are beautiful not only on the inside, but on the outside as well. Everyone is beautiful in their own, unique way and I intend to help as many people possible.
-Kim Lucas
Before Kim’s senior session she clearly had some self esteem issues. We all do. But through the simple act of getting her photo taken by a professional, she was able to see past her flaws. She saw herself the way the world sees her. Perfectly imperfect.
So the next time you’re considering having your portrait taken. Don’t be nervous (easier said than done). Be excited! Let your photographer bring out the real you, and don’t be afraid to show the camera who you really are.
PS – I now offer senior portrait sessions starting at $99. Contact me now if you’re interested in having your child’s photos taken by our studio!