Capturing the Real You on Film

One of the most important image decisions you will make on your website is selecting the photographs of you (see Branding Basics Part I – Image). Embedded within the other elements on your site that convey your work to the world will be your smiling face reaching out to your web visitors.

From an evolutionary marketing point of view that doesn’t mean we become fixated on our personal appearance, or cave into the “mass appeal” of accepted appearance, images, looks, etc. Rather, the evolutionary approach simply means you are committed to selecting a photo that is an authentic expression of YOU. It is a portrait of the complete you and should not only capture your exterior appearance but also your interior space.

Professionally done photos are portraits of you that convey your being to others through your eyes, smile, body position, even your clothes. These photos are an intentional and direct conversation with the viewer, not like candid shots in which the viewer feels they are watching you from afar rather than actively connecting with you.

They are more about who you are than what you do. They should invoke reactions from the viewer such as sense of trustworthiness, competence, sincerity, wisdom, warmth, strength, and perhaps joy and fun too! It is you, one-on-one with the viewer.

You may choose a setting or background that adds some element of expression of your authentic Self, such as out in nature. Be mindful about selecting a background. Make sure it is neutral enough not to distract from the main focus of the photo: YOU. Sometimes blurring the background so there is just a hint if it can be effective.

 

 

Shooting photos on a solid white background allows the image to blend seamlessly into a white webpage without any defined edge. This is a nice look. The shots without a background work well because the viewer can focus directly on you and isn't processing additional information from the scene behind you.

Again, you want to be fully present to the person looking at the photo not telling a story with the photo.

Here are some suggestions for when you are on the photo shoot:

Before the shoot take time to really center yourself and call forth your Higher Self, your Essence. If you know the photographer well, you might invite forward his or her full Highest Self as well.

Ask any part of you (your egoic elements) that may be worried or insecure about how you'll look to step aside and trust your Essence and the Essence of the photographer. Presence the deepest truth that all who will see these photos are also an expression of Essence. Imagine what it will be like to know you are seen for who you are and recognized in your Essence, whole, complete and divinely perfect.

As the photos are being taken try one of these methods:

• Focusing on your personal mission. Why do you do what you do? What is the calling of your soul that you have committed to stepping into fully? Imagine you have a deep sense of knowing that you are indeed on purpose and making a difference. Bring the feeling into your body of the most successful manifestation of your mission and purpose. Hold that feeling as you move through the shoot.

• Focus on the heart of your work. What is unique about it? What is its essential wisdom? Picture this message radiating out from within you. Imagine the feeling of seeing this wisdom actively at work in the world, transforming lives, families, communities, our world. Hold that feeling as you move through the shoot.

I invite you to open your heart and allow your Essence, your wisdom, your Soul to speak to the world through your photo.

Radiate YOU!

We all need it.