Debunking common myths about having a professional photoshoot

Most of my clients don’t know what to expect when they inquire about a photoshoot. There are many misconceptions and professional photoshoots myths that can make the process daunting — so let’s clear up some of these misconceptions!

Professional photoshoot myths and misconceptions to stop believing in:

You have to be ‘photogenic’ or a model to be photographed.

This is probably the largest myth in portrait photography. The reality is that there is no such thing as being photogenic; it’s simply a matter of being confident in front of the camera. It is the job of the photographer to ensure you are relaxed, confident and feeling your best during the photoshoot — this body language will translate into the final images.

You might also enjoy How to be Photogenic: The Secret Revealed.

A photoshoot is a quick process/snapshot

Obtaining a great portrait takes time. Not only is this the case in terms of post-production and delivery preparations, but the actual photoshoot process itself.

Sometimes people assume they only need 1-minute in front of the camera to get that one picture they can walk away with — this will result in a poor quality headshot due to a number of reasons.

• As addressed in an earlier point, you need some time to relax and build up your confidence in front of the camera
• The photographer will need to review and adjust the lighting and camera settings to capture you in the best conditions
• It’s a joint-effort to adjust the posing through trial and error to finally capture that fantastic photo. It’s very unlikely to absolutely nail this first time

You need to have a fresh haircut and a new outfit for a photoshoot

It’s hard to resist the allure of new outfits for a photoshoot—after all, fresh clothes can look stunning, right?

However, one often overlooked consideration is that you might not yet be familiar with how to move and pose comfortably in them. A new dress or suit can look fabulous on a hanger, but once you put it on, uncertainty can creep in.

“Should I wear a belt? Tuck in my shirt? Roll up the sleeves?”

When you wear familiar clothes, you naturally feel at ease and confident in how to wear them, which shines through in your photos!

For example, business portraits should convey confidence and approachability. If you feel uneasy, it can lead to a tense and awkward appearance in your images.

If you need some inspiration for selecting what to wear for your upcoming photoshoot, make sure to check out What to Wear for a Photoshoot: Tips From a Fashion Designer.

All photoshoots are the same

I approach every photoshoot with a unique plan in mind. Depending on the final desired vision of the photoshoot, I will implement different lighting setups, backdrops, posing, lens choice, and more! Unless I’m capturing team headshots for a company where uniformity is desired, no two photoshoots are the same.

If you’re unsure about the direction you’d like to take with your portrait, you can reference existing materials online or check out my portfolio. For example, if you tell me you want “a professional portrait but not too corporate or stiff,” I can suggest poses and backdrops that add a bit of life to your headshot while maintaining a professional feel.

Photo-editing can fix everything 

Thanks to advancements in software, we can significantly manipulate photos in the post-production process — but that doesn’t mean we always should.

I typically remove temporary imperfections from portraits, such as tired eyes, stray hairs, or creases in clothing. However, I’m not a fan of excessive retouching or airbrushing, as it can come across as disingenuous, especially if the photo is meant to represent your brand or feature in your acting/model portfolio.

The best approach is to try to capture the best photo possible which needs very little in the way of editing, than trying to enhance a mediocre portrait.

If you’re curious about the editing process, feel free to read The Difference Between Photo-Editing and Retouching.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post! As always, if you have any questions about professional photoshoot myths, feel free to email me or drop them in the comment section below.