In front of the lens

Being a photographer I don’t often get the opportunity to be on the other side of the camera, in front of the lens so to speak. Due in part to my constant welding the camera, being asked to take photos of others and willingness to do so, self-consciousness of my akward faces & hand expressions, and I quite simply do not like to be the center of attention. I can confidently stand in front of a room of thousands and give a presentation but I don’t like having one camera focused on me. It makes me feel uncomfortable, self-conscious with a touch of vanity. IT SHOULD NOT. First and foremost because I don’t want my clients to feel that way. I don’t want my clients to ever feel uncomfortable, self-conscious, worried about how they look or unworthy of photographs, of  preserving memories. Instead I want them to have a great memorable experience, loosen up to be themselves, show their inner beauty as well as their outer beauty, to have tangible memories of that wonderful time in their life. To be able to feel the emotions again of that day with a glance of a photograph years later. I want my clients to SHINE as who they are, to be proud of where they are at that very moment. To own it.

So I need to get in front of the camera more myself. I need to get confident on the other side of the lens so that I know how my clients are feeling, what they are thinking, how I can make them more comfortable, natural and forget about the camera so their personalities shine thru.  It is so easy to say “forget the camera is here!” to someone who is not used to having a camera around like the Kardashians. To practice posing myself (I know how silly that sounds but it works!) so that I can show, explain and pose others better. I must step out of my comfort zone, which is behind that camera that I feel is an extension of my arm as well as a security blanket. I need to step out from behind the scenes and take center stage every so often. I’m going to set a goal to be photographed by another photographer at least once a year – and possibly a different photographer every time so that I can learn a little something new each time, keeping it outside my comfort zone so that I can put my clients in their comfort zone.

photos of moi by my lovely & talented sister Ashley Goodwin