Tips for a Great Mini Portrait Session

With mini portrait sessions scheduled in New York City (July 8, 22, & 26), Milwaukee (July 12), Chicago (July 14), Tucson (August 18), and Phoenix (August 25), I thought it would be helpful to provide some tips to get the best results in front of the camera.

We are extraordinary beings, but sometimes our lives are quite ordinary. I want to share the beauty in an ordinary day, a simple smile, a calming faith, a quiet life – the things that make up the majority of our lives.

1. This is a mini portrait session because the estimated time in front of the camera will average between 5-15 minutes, depending on number of participants (registered and walk-ups). Come prepared to work it from the beginning in order to get your best shot!
2. The project is called I AM WOMAN because womanhood is the focus. Acknowledging and celebrating who we are – highs, lows, the glorious, the inglorious. Think of one word you would use to best describe your womanhood and prepare from there. The world may label you one thing or a million other things, but none of those labels may reflect who you see yourself as. That is what this project is about: You telling the world who you are as a woman.
3. Think about how you want to represent yourself. Your audience will be young girls, younger women, older women and women your age. What do you want to share with them about how you have experienced womanhood. Are you expressing pain, joy, neglect, grief, gratitude, etc? Is it about your accomplishments or your ability to provide for yourself or your household? Is womanhood a pursuit or a state of being? How do you think about it? How do you represent it?
4. This is NOT intended to be a beauty or fashion focused project. That doesn’t mean beauty and fashion won’t be on display.
5. Be natural. Be you.
6. If you are wearing make-up bring something to touch-up with.
7. Bring a towel to pat away perspiration.
8. Plan for comfort. If you are uncomfortable in your skin and your clothes, you will look uncomfortable in the photos.
9. Props are welcome. If you want to bring something to add aesthetically to your session, you are welcome to. Make sure it’s something that represents how you see yourself.
10. Use location and time to your advantage. There’s no guarantee that the background/location will be identifiable, but the space may provide inspiration for your session.
11. Download the PHOTO RELEASE FORM form and complete it in advance if you can. Bring it with you. It will allow for more time in front of the camera.
12. Tell someone you know! Help spread the word about this project. Have a friend or family member sign up with you for back-to-back mini sessions.
13. Participation in a portrait session does not guarantee any or your images will be selected for publication. Notification of selected images will be happen in September 2018. All participants in the portrait sessions will be eligible to receive a complimentary e-copy of the finished book. Publication is planned for mid-2019.
14. Have fun! This whole project is about you! It’s a celebration of womanhood and how we choose to express it. I see you. I appreciate you.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you!

Best,

LaShawnda

 

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