EVERYONE IS PHOTOGENIC.

MODELS: BRANDON NERI &
JHISLANIE DORSAINVIL
TYPE OF SHOOT: COLLABORATION
GEAR: CANON 6D II, 24-70MM 2.8, 70-200MM 3.5
TYPE OF DAY: 4PM

I am not…

I have been taking photos for over 10 years and for about 6 of those I have been dedicated to focusing on people and very rarely I hear people say I am not photogenic…

Of course I am lying😂

For the people that have been following my work the past few years you would be so surprised to find out a lot of the people that modeled for me on my instagram page used to be so scared to be in front of the camera. Some of them still are (not as bad) and they still kill it when we take photos together.

It’s a lot easier to find someone else with better style, better features, better personality and so on besides ourselves. We get bored of us because we are with ourselves all of the time (when I say we I am not speaking to all but it does happen to all of us at some point in our lives) We’ve tried to reinvent ourselves when we don’t feel like we fit in (I know you know what I’m going to say next but it’s true) we’re not supposed to fit in.

What we look like, who we are, how we define ourselves all stems from our identity. It’s hard to be ourselves when we don’t know who we are let alone trying to be someone else.

When I work with people who feel awkward in front of the camera or have said many of these lines

Where do I put my hands!?
How do I pose?
Where should I look?
You want me to smile in these?!

and many others (I’m sure you can think of some). I have developed some great calls to action for the people I photograph.

IF LIFE HAPPENS IN MOTION, WHY CAPTURE IT STANDING STILL?

JUST LIKE LIFE, MODELING COMES DOWN TO SMALL LITTLE ADJUSTMENTS.

I ALWAYS BRING MUSIC TO MY PHOTOSHOOTS AND THAT HELPS CREATE A FUN AND ENERGETIC ATMOSPHERE

Putting my models in motion takes the focus off of what kind of facial expression they’re making and more on how they can tell the story through their actions. A lot of times I get a lot of genuine laughs and smiles that are not forced as well as some serious faces that don't look like they’re sad or mad.

ALSO. TIPS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS!
ALWAYS HYPE UP YOUR MODELS
MAKE IT GENUINE!

A COUPLE MORE TIPS IF YOU STILL FEEL AWKWARD IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA.

1. Look away from the camera
   - To the side, up and away, down an to the left, any direction besides straight forward creates mystery for the audience and a sense of relaxation for the model

2. Place a hand in front of your face or covering a part of it.
   - This also generates mystery and draws the viewer into the photo.

3. Step out and be bold!! Also find someone you’re comfortable with taking your picture
- I have the skill to capture amazing fun images but if you don’t like the action of what you’re doing or how you look, you can change that.
I have a lot of friends who were really shy in front of the camera and every time we shoot now I say they’re a natural because it comes naturally to them now.

4. Take pictures of yourself and try all different types of poses & faces.
- Taking photos of myself and being a photographer who doesn’t mind being on the other side of the lens has abled me to tap into the minds of the model/client. I can speak they’re language as well as act out and direct them better into the theme/concept/agenda for the photoshoot.