Remember your sense of purpose
Remember your sense of purpose before you set foot in front of a camera.
It helps narrow and focus you beyond your hangups and fears.
If I had a dollar for every time I heard one of my clients tell me that they hate taking any kind of picture, let alone professional ones, I would have enough money to never take a photo again, :)
Yes, I understand that whole mindset since I was that person for more than half of my life.
But, here’s the thing; these branded lifestyle portraits aren’t some snapshots taken at a party over here…
They’re promotional, image assets that play a large role in helping you gain the visibility that you seek in order to create impact for those who need to hear what you have to say.
So, the stakes for these branded, lifestyle portraits are high.
As a result, it’s important to head into your portrait session feeling ready to create some magic, and one of the ways to achieve a positive mindset is to focus on building positive, emotional capital before your session.
What better place to start than to remind yourself of why you do what you do in the first place.
Give yourself some time to remind yourself of your why.
Your sense of purpose is the active way you uniquely impact the world.
As a result, anytime that I am feeling anxious or out-of-sorts, I recall my sense of purpose:
“My purpose is to use my creativity, humor and personal journey to collaborate and inspire others so that I can guide my clients who feel anxious and self-conscious in front of the camera, to show up authentically, powerfully and purposefully in their portrait images.”
Simply by re-typing this statement just sent a jolt of awesomeness through my body - no bullshit!
When you create a purpose statement, that is a powerful commitment to yourself, meaning that despite the challenges you will face and the sacrifices that are needed in order to see this purpose through, you are ready, willing and able to make it happen.
Unconditionally.
As a change agent looking to create impact, one of these major challenges involves you getting past your anxiety demons in front of the camera in order to create the image content you need to attract those who need your help most.
As an intervention to move your attention past these anxious feelings, I invite you to complete your own purpose statement:
My purpose is to use my____________to__________and____________ so that______________________.
Once you’ve filled it out, put copies of it up all over your house as a constant reminder of why your service to others supersedes your own anxiety about your photos being taken.
Your words are powerful and create long-lasting change in others, how about we give it a shot for yourself, eh?
The above was adapted from an article I published entitled, I’m Not Photogenic: How To Get Your Mind Right For Your Next Portrait Session.
I’m Not Photogenic outlines several applied positive psychology interventions and principles designed for the reader to amass a wealth of positive, emotional capital before their next session in order to ease their nerves to present themselves powerfully, purposefully and authentically in front of the camera.
Give it a read and let me know what you think!
Also, if you are looking for a photographer who can help guide you past your emotional landmines in order to capture a truly authentic, content portfolio full of portraits and other image content, I know just the guy for you, :)
Schedule a call with me in order to see if we’re a good fit to work together!
PS - For those of you who aren’t in the know, I mail out these blogs 3x a week, and lemme tell you, they’re a real party, so, if you’d like to get in on this, sign up for it here and I’ll throw in a free gift for you...because I care, :)