introducing Persona Sessions
how i use coaching and photography to let you and others see your magic
Whenever I tell someone I’m a portrait photographer, the most common response I get is “Ugh, I need a good photo for [insert social media of choice].” That makes sense since our profile photo will most likely be someone’s first impression of us. A good photo is the digital version of a firm handshake.
The “ugh” (they go on to tell me) is because they hate the photo they currently have. And they hate having their photo taken. They feel so awkward and
uncomfortable in front of a camera and it comes out looking a hundred times worse in a photo, even if the photo is technically flawless.
This breaks my heart because a photoshoot should be fun and playful! You should be able to show up exactly how you want to show up and look fabulous doing it.
I recently looked up where the word “person” comes from. It comes from persona—a combination of two words, per meaning “through” and sonare (so-nah-ray) meaning “to sound”. So you can say a person is not just about how they look or what they do, but what sounds through them–their soul, their energy, and the stories they inhabit as they move through the world.
A portrait session then is a space for your persona to be on full display and beautifully captured in a photo. That doesn’t happen with great equipment or the photographer’s skill level alone. There needs to be a certain quality of presence created between you and the photographer. One that helps you feel grounded, safe, and trusting of what will unfold during the session.
It’s this piece that’s often overlooked, but once it’s there you are free to have fun being yourself and that will show up a hundredfold in a photo.
So for my portrait sessions, I incorporate writing and coaching to bring out what wants to sound through into your next project or chapter of your life.
Here’s what it looks like:
Reflecting: We start with writing prompts to help you reflect and process this season in your life and what transitions or projects are ahead for you.
Exploring & Planning: A 60 minute coaching session to explore what came up for you in the writing, and plan out a creative direction for your shoot.
Capturing: A 2-3 hour portrait session depending on what emerges from our creative direction.
Integrating: A 60 minute follow up coaching session to integrate the experience and strategies on how to best use these images.
After our time together, you’ll walk away with more than just great photos of yourself.
You’ll have clarity for the next chapter of your business, project, or career.
You’ll feel more comfortable in your own skin.
You’ll see yourself in new ways.
You’ll have a gallery of images you can use for your profile photo, marketing material, book cover, dating profile, or anywhere else you need to make a great first impression.
These photos will be reminders of what really matters to you, who you really are, and how you want to show up in the world.
so good!
Still on my bucket list!