What It’s Like to Be on the Other Side of the Camera
A Different Perspective for Yours Truly
This shoot was a role reversal for me. Instead of being behind the camera, I asked my friend Felix to come into the studio to help make photographs of me! I am not often the one in front of the camera, especially not my own camera. Felix knows about photography some, and we have known each other for a while, so it was easier for me to relax a little while he was making headshots and branding photos for me that I really needed. I set up the lighting and the background, described what I was looking for in terms of photos to Felix, and he helped out also with posing ideas, getting me to relax (not look so serious, ha ha), and just general reassurance — all the things I do for my clients normally!
In the end I was fairly happy with the photos of me you’ll see in this post. What is in my mind may never actually come to be in a photo, and I have to accept that yes, one of my eyes opens more than the other, and I cannot get around that, ha ha, so I tried to be accepting and less hard on myself in evaluating the photos during the shoot.
So now you know even the photographer has some of the same issues as clients do in front of the camera!
Thank you very much Felix for your help and your guidance!
A Few Favorites from the Session
When the Photos Do Not Match What You Imagine
One thing I was reminded of right away is how easy it is to be your own toughest critic.
Even knowing what goes into making a strong image, it is still hard not to compare the photos to how you imagine yourself in your head. The camera is honest, and sometimes that honesty feels different than what you expect.
But that is also the point. The photos are not an idea of you—they are you.
And with a little time after the shoot, I could see what Felix helped me capture clearly: natural, professional, and real images that represent me as I really am, even if they were not exactly what I had pictured going in, but pretty darn close!
Trusting the Process (and the Photographer)
Letting someone else take part of the control over the camera was a good reminder of how much trust goes into any photo session.
I was largely relying on someone else’s perspective.
This experience reinforced something I think about during my own client shoots, that most people are not completely comfortable being photographed, and that is entirely normal. :)
Why This Matters for My Clients
Spending time on the other side of the camera gave me a good reminder on what my clients experience.
That initial hesitation. The uncertainty about how the photos will turn out. The feeling that what you see in the camera might not match what you expected.
That is exactly why I approach every session the way I do—with a calm pace, clear direction, and a focus on helping people settle into the process rather than rushing anything.
You do not have to know how to pose. You do not have to feel completely confident walking in. That is part of what I am there for.
A Good Reminder
In the end, I walked away with a set of images I am pretty happy with—and a renewed appreciation for what it feels like to be in front of the camera.
If you have ever felt unsure about being photographed, you are not alone—and that is exactly why I approach every session the way I do.
I am thankful for all the 5-star reviews from headshot clients about their expereinces with me.
If you are considering updating your headshot or creating a set of branding images, I would be glad to help guide you through the process in a way that feels natural and straightforward. Sessions are designed to be relaxed, efficient, and tailored to how you want to present yourself.
Professional headshots and branding photography in Pacific Grove, Monterey, Carmel, and across the Monterey Peninsula.