p.1 #1 · Photoshoot with Joanna and boosting her self-confidence
A little story before the photos:
I saw Joanna at work and she came across like a very interesting personality to me. An irresistible urge to photograph her was very obvious. I found a mutual friend and got introduced to Joanna. When I asked her for a photoshoot, she was onboard immediately.
We planned for a whole day shoot and then finally executed it. She was phenomenal. We both learned a lot that day. She learned a lot about posing and I learned a lot about how to make your subject pose.
I took my time and finally gave her a set of 21 images. She did not respond instantly which was unexpected. So I asked her over a text if she liked the photos or not and if they made her feel good about herself! She sent me a long email and here's an excerpt from that: "You had asked me if the pics made me feel good about myself. I've not really been short of self-confidence for a long time. But, they[images] came at a such a perfect moment for me. I was feeling particularly
insecure because of a situation with a boy. What they [images] did was made me realize that if he doesn't think I'm good enough for him then he's an idiot. Also, it reminded me why I've been working so hard to be healthier. I've come a very long way.
I love them all but was interested to see that some that touched on my insecurities were favorites of some people. For instance the one where I'm laughing. I feel like my face looks fat. But, a few people
named that as their favorite. So, it's nice to realize that I don't have to look a certain way for people to think I'm pretty."
And I couldn't resist but take pride in making her feel good about herself.
So, I want all you photographers to take a moment and feel good about yourself. We make people feel confident and good about themselves
p.1 #5 · Photoshoot with Joanna and boosting her self-confidence
"...favorites of some people. For instance the one where I'm laughing."
No surprise for me that the laughing or smiling shots would be favourites. Expressions are important!
I see lots of frowns or neutral expressions in many of these shots, but the smiles and laughing shots make her look beautiful. For me, the frown shots give me a very different impression of the lady.
p.1 #6 · Photoshoot with Joanna and boosting her self-confidence
Very...very... well done. What a truly interesting & beautiful person. A number of different 'moods' or 'expressions' captured here that effectively take on the task to reveal the complexity of an individual.
Lovely lady, expertly captured
p.1 #9 · Photoshoot with Joanna and boosting her self-confidence
neighbourboy wrote:
Really nice job. I looked at the photos before reading the story and #18 instantly stood out as my favorite.
--David
I also looked at the images before the reading the story and thought that she was beautiful, and the pictures were well executed. The loss is the "boy's", not hers IMHO.
p.1 #10 · Photoshoot with Joanna and boosting her self-confidence
Very well done series of shots. Lighting, posing and processing are top notch. With that being said the photo of the young lady smiling/laughing elevates it to excellent image status and is the best of the series.
Please tell her to keep laughing and enjoying life, it's to short to do otherwise.
p.1 #12 · Photoshoot with Joanna and boosting her self-confidence
SEAyers wrote:
This is a beautiful young woman. A truly beautiful woman. Excellent work. Most excellent.
Thank you very much
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gregfixit wrote:
Nice photos and nice story.
Thanks for sharing.
Greg
Thanks Greg.
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Evan Baines wrote:
Really enjoyed the story here and its a nice set of images.
Thank you, Evan. I am glad you liked the set.
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Jim Rickards wrote:
"...favorites of some people. For instance the one where I'm laughing."
No surprise for me that the laughing or smiling shots would be favourites. Expressions are important!
I see lots of frowns or neutral expressions in many of these shots, but the smiles and laughing shots make her look beautiful. For me, the frown shots give me a very different impression of the lady.
Jim, Thanks for your comment.
Since I was not treating this shoot as a senior shoot, I tried to mix a little of "something else" in the poses. It is all of her.
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schlotz wrote:
Very...very... well done. What a truly interesting & beautiful person. A number of different 'moods' or 'expressions' captured here that effectively take on the task to reveal the complexity of an individual.
Lovely lady, expertly captured
Matt
Thanks a bunch, Matt. She indeed is a beautiful person.
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speakit101 wrote:
Not only are the pictures nice but the model is BEAUTIFUL!
Thanks
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neighbourboy wrote:
Really nice job. I looked at the photos before reading the story and #18 instantly stood out as my favorite.
--David
Thanks David. #18 has become a lot of people's fav.
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Jammyn wrote:
I also looked at the images before the reading the story and thought that she was beautiful, and the pictures were well executed. The loss is the "boy's", not hers IMHO.
Thank you
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RickJames wrote:
Very well done series of shots. Lighting, posing and processing are top notch. With that being said the photo of the young lady smiling/laughing elevates it to excellent image status and is the best of the series.
Please tell her to keep laughing and enjoying life, it's to short to do otherwise.
Thanks Rick. She is reading your comment herself
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BigIronCruiser wrote:
Very nice looking young woman with a gorgeous smile. 14 & 18 are terrific.
Thanks for picking #14 as your fav. I like that shot a lot.
p.1 #14 · Photoshoot with Joanna and boosting her self-confidence
She's beautiful and the shots are great. My CC is the dress in 13 is not flattering to her. The red bra straps need to go, IMHO. Otherwise lovely shots.
p.1 #17 · Photoshoot with Joanna and boosting her self-confidence
Body language is an interesting statement in some of these. Photographers talent is an interesting statement in many of these. Amazing to me is how the facial expressions make so many varied takes on her personality
I'm not a fan of the bright red lipstick that perhaps intentionally was tied into the red bra strap images, just too much of a take away for her kindness.
Gosh #18 is a knockout for both of you! I would love to see this one at the top of the post! Really sweet image.
I really like the classy look of #14, very nice warmth, very pleasing look to the shape of her face in this shot.
Ha, #19 that is a very casual and natural and inviting look, I would want to walk over and say hello to her in this image, relaxed and just a great casual shot.
Great job by the both of you, loved the story here and thanks for the honesty and the sharing.
Karl
