We are more beautiful than we think we are | Yorktown, VA Photographer

Just a quick post today, inspired by this video.  When I am talking to clients, before I ever take the first photo, I often ask "What do you not like about yourself in photos?"  I do this because I've learned over and over that people see themselves differently than the rest of the world does.  The responses range from bumps on noses to large foreheads to "everything."  I'm almost always surprised by what they say.  I ask so that I know what I need to do to minimize something with  lighting, posing or editing.  If I don't ask, and I make my own assumptions, I'm almost always wrong.  Most people ask me to "use a lot of Photoshop" to make them look their best.  It makes me sad, but then I realize I do the same thing to myself.  We get so caught up in our perceived flaws that we fail to see how beautifully it all comes together.  I believe that expression and "the smile in your eyes" (my head shot clients know this phrase!) are what makes the true beauty shine through. My ultimate goal is to take the best photo of someone so that they truly look like themselves, but the best version of themselves. 

Also, don't forget my grand opening party next weekend!  Details and RSVP HERE.
(Oh, and in my dream world, I would build a studio that would look a lot like that amazing space in the video!  But in the meantime, the one I have is pretty awesome.)