So You Can't Pose? | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

I hear it all the time from women who are nervous about being photographed:
"I don't know what I'm doing"
"I can't pose."
"I'm terrible in front of a camera."
"I'm not photogenic"

Well let me let you in on a little secret:  unless we are talking to a professional model, most women would agree that they aren't photogenic and can't pose.  Taking a selfie is one thing, (how many get deleted before that perfect shot at that perfect angle?) but to sit in front of a professional with a big DSLR camera- well that can be intimidating.  We aren't professional models, after all.

But let me let you in on another little secret: being photogenic is a skill that can be taught

Wait what?  
When you think about the word photogenic you probably think of that friend you have that looks amazing in every picture, whether she's in messy bun and sweatpants or a fresh blowout and a ball gown.  You know who I'm talking about. It has to be just how her face is, right? 

Wrong.  Being photogenic is all about posing.  

And guess what?  I know a lot about posing.

Honestly, you don't need to worry about it one bit before coming into my studio.  But if you are like me you probably want to research every aspect of everything before you come in.  So let me give you a few tips so you know what you are doing.  

• Chin forward and down.
  You are going to hear me say this a lot during your session and I'll be honest with you, it's going to feel awkward as heck.  This is not a comfortable, relaxed position by any means.  But it will do something pretty amazing for your portraits. Any traces of a double chin will be replaced by a nice defined jawline with one simple movement- chin forward and down.
• Shift your weight to one hip.
  Whether you are curvy, thin, or somewhere in between, there is one thing that we are always going for in order to create a flattering, feminine portrait- curves.  Shifting your weight to one side or the other will create gorgeous curves at your waistline and will effect the way your entire body is positioned.  This leads quite nicely into our next tip:
• Push anything that we want to slim away from the camera.
  Everything is about perspective when it comes to photography.  The things closest to the camera will look the biggest, and the things farthest away will look the smallest. Let's use this to our advantage.  If you lean in towards the camera you will instantly look slimmer- no diets necessary!
• Keep your neck long.
  Posture is everything!  Models look like models not because they are tall and skinny, but because they have long elegant limbs.  The more you lengthen your neck, straighten your back, and drop your shoulders, the more you will embody that same look.
  
  These may seem like tiny things, but they make such a huge difference in how you look in a portrait.  It can be a lot to keep track of, but lucky you, that's why you have me.  During your portrait session I will instruct you how to pose from your toes to the top of your head.  All you have to do is look pretty (and I promise, you are better at it then you think!)
  
  None of these lovely ladies thought they could pose either. Psh.

Prepping for your Babywearing Mini | Mikaela Joy Savannah Lifestyle Photographer

Here at Mikaela Joy Photography we are gearing up for more babywearing minis!  Have you booked one yet?  If not, please get in touch because we still have a few openings.

As I'm fielding the inquiries, I've been getting a lot of questions about how to prep for the sessions, so here are a few tips to get you ready.

Carrier Choice

I've been getting a lot of questions about what type of carrier to use for minis.  Is my tula ok? Is my ring sling ok? My definitive answer is yes.  While your babywearing mini is somewhat about the carrier (how could it not be with some of the beautiful textiles we use to hold our children), what it is really about is the bond between you and your child.  I want you to wear something that both of you are comfortable in, something that makes you smile whenever you put it on.  Whether that is a baby bjorn or an expensive handwoven wrap, we will use it to take some beautiful pictures of you and your child.

That said, there are a couple considerations for how to hold your child.  Back carries work well for portraits, but often don't show a lot of interaction between mom and baby.  Front carries are good for interaction and snuggly photos (if you have a snuggly baby).  Hip carries can be the best of both worlds if it's a position your baby likes.  Ultimately you know your baby best and know what will work for you two.  We will have time to switch carries once during your session, but any more than that will be tight.

Clothes

When it comes to clothing for your mini session, simple is generally better.  We want you, your baby, and your carrier to stand out.  So choose your carrier and plan around that.  A good idea is a plain tee and jeans or a simple dress/skirt. Keep in mind how chest belts and other carrier features will interact with your clothing choices. For example, loose clothing will often look better with a chest belt whereas a waist belt may cause the same clothing to sit strangely.

Don't forget to pay attention to detail!  Chipped nail polish, a hairband around your wrist, or bra straps sticking out can really detract from an otherwise beautiful photo.

Makeup

Makeup is an important consideration for photos. I've asked Abbie, a fellow VBE with Savannah Slingers as well as a licensed esthetician and makeup artist, to create a video with makeup tips for your session. You can check out more of her stuff here

Posing

This is one thing you don't have to worry about.  I've got you covered.  You'll probably hear me asking you to bring your forehead forward, chin down, lean forward, etc and it will feel super awkward.  I know it does. But just trust me that it will make your portrait look that much better.  Sometimes I won't pose you at all.  My favorite photos are the ones that show interaction between you and your baby.  I want it to look natural.

Are you as excited for these next couple rounds of mini sessions as I am?  So far they have been an absolute blast and we've come up with some great pictures.  As I mentioned before, we still have a few slots left, so sign up while they are available!

And don't forget to like my facebook page to see all the updates about future mini sessions, casting calls, and other great deals.  You don't want to miss out.