I’m not going to tell you to smile
Why I don't believe that personal branding photographers should always make their clients smile or laugh.
Client: Sophia Sunwoo |Copyright: Series A Photography
In fact, I’d rather take ONE soulful, serious image than a thousand ‘perfect’ fake-smiley ones.
I’m really not sure who decided that we have to smile in front of a camera. Why is that even a thing?
Do you always feel like smiling? Do you always feel happy? In real life, do we always connect with another human through a smile?
“BUT everyone on Instagram is smiling all the time? If I don’t do that, what if my clients go away?”
Why? Your genuine personality is what makes your brand unique. It’s what attracts your clients and your audience to YOU and builds a relationship of trust.
If your client runs away from that, are they really your ideal client?
And of course, women in professional settings are often told to “smile more”.
The pressure to smile negates other genuine forms of emotional connection; vulnerability, longing, empathy, compassion, authority, pleasure, desire and even grief.
I want us to welcome all of those other modes of human connection on camera.
So the next time you’re being photographed, take a risk.
Don’t smile. Just be.