Sat tucked up under a warm, woollen blanket, I’m admiring Charlotte’s photographs captured last week during a fairly impromptu test shoot. A hastily written model call garnered an exciting response from quite a few new admirers and my calendar is already fill up. As such, I’m rather preoccupied with some new styles of photography I’m eager to explore for 2020. I’ve new fashion items for my model wardrobe, new modifiers and new locations to explore. The idea of uncertainty and the apparent unending cycle of creativity is at times exciting yet overwhelming, change is afoot for me this year, personally and professionally. Let’s see how life evolves. To my mind, change is a precarious thing and the chance to take stock and start afresh is natural at this early point in the year. Dark and dismal, each morning greets us with a little slither of pale light and I pause on my front door step every morning scanning the horizon for more light, more warmth and more happiness. I’m far from being an eternal optimist but I can’t help being buoyed up by new photography projects that hint of creative explorations that push my boundaries or create positive transformations for my new clients and models. Without gushing and getting all cock-a-hoop, I love working with Charlotte as her mantra for life, and herself as a natural model, is all about doing things for others, looking after family and considering how to make other people happy. From the way she greets me outside the studio and how she has fun during the photoshoot, to what she plans to do at the weekends, everything is well thought through. It’s no wonder that the theme of confidence, beauty and understated elegance weave their way through all my photography. As well as starting 2020 with a new studio, I also feel now is the time explore my photography with verve and passion (there’s no point in letting fear hold me back for another year). Portrait sessions this year will be chosen on my model’s ability to embrace their individuality and fashion flair. So, whether that’s a riot of colours (autumnal reds, olives and navy being a favourite), wildly clashing textures like pleather, cashmere and lace or, at the other end of the spectrum, a subtle array of neutrals in tulle and chiffon, don’t let anyone tell you don’t photograph well. We seem to be living in a time where social media promotes negativity and hate, whatever you may believe from the internet, I’m here to fight my little corner of sunshine. My mantra is to push forward into 2020 with an upbeat approach. Your photographs will be full of joy, colour, life – and excitement sparking in your eyes. Together we’ll create photographs that show what life means to you and those around you. Above all, we’ll create portraits with love, support and generosity.

Amanda Herbert | Isle of Wight Email: info@amandaherbert.com

Amanda Herbert is the premier headshot photographer in Ryde and the Isle of Wight. Known for the genuine expressions she captures in her portraits of camera-shy women and small business owners looking for expressive portraits. Contact her Seaview home studio to book a session.

We’re well into 2020 and it’s time for me to recognise the changes in my life.

No matter how busy life is, how much doubt we harbour and how much we want to press a big, red button to transform our life, the comfort of failure often shadow us.

So today’s post is to remind myself, and everyone who finds themselves reading this bog, to think about something you want to ‘fix’ in your life.

Because no matter how many hurdles seem to undo all your best intentions, change can truly happen.

We just need to reset our negative self-talk.

I learnt photography whilst working and travelling throughout Asia and a travel guide suggested, “The one regret is the photograph you didn’t take”. Like an echo, this reminder often nurtured my courage to turn around and ask a local market seller if I could take their photograph.

So my wish for 2020 is that we stop listening to our fears and doubts. They’re no fun.  

They’ll kill your dreams and hold you back. You’ll be frozen in stasis for far too long and then you’ll punish yourself for not finding the courage to change your ways.

I pour my heart and soul into every portrait session because I know what it’s like trying to find the confidence to love yourself, worrying about what to wear on a portrait session, and feeling exposed because you’ve never done any kind of photoshoot before and not feeling sure about what to expect (do you do your own hair, makeup & outfits).

So if you’re enjoying these creative portraits taken in my Ryde home with Quinn during her Christmas visit to the Isle of Wight, get in touch because I’m going to guide you step by step and explain everything you need to know to create beautiful portraits that shine with your confidence and energy.

Amanda Herbert | Isle of Wight
Email: info@amandaherbert.com

Amanda Herbert | Isle of Wight
Email: info@amandaherbert.com

I always overcomplicate things.

And when it comes to learning photography, I found it so confusing.

So I’d panic and plan, practise to death and feel frazzled before the portrait session had even started.

To create beautiful portraits you only need to know one thing:

• Draw a quick sketch of what you want to achieve
• Set your camera to aperture you want for creative portraits
• Get to know your model

The simplest plan is always the best (even thought I hardly heed my own advice).

That way, your photographs will resonate with the model and catch the eye of other ‘togs. Why? Because none of your photographs will look exactly the same. Every portrait will be a little more beautiful than the last. It doesn’t need to be complicated or overly crafted. The deceptively simple photographs are always the best.

Don’t allow yourself to be confused when it comes to planning for your portrait session.

Spinning wheels and overthinking will kill creativity.

The best portrait sessions that produce the most beautiful images (whilst making sure everyone has fun) is the one that feels effortless.

For that to happen you need to plan for short and productive sessions. A small number of pictures in each location, 3 – 5 captures, no more than 10 minutes in each corner of the park (or summer house as you can see here).

You can plan all the fancy approaches in the world with studio lights, gels and filters but none of that matters if your model (and her mum) don’t love the photographs.

That’s it.

Nothing else matters.

Complicating sessions with ambitious plans that require you to lug around heavy equipment limits the time you can chat with your model. What are you going to do with 200 almost identical photographs sitting your laptop?

Any of the portraits you see on this website were created by getting to know my models first and foremost.

Before we talk about wardrobe and styling, weather and locations, TFP or session fees, let me remind you that there is a big different between taking a nice photograph and capturing someone’s personality.

No amount of hairspray, contoured makeup or expensive gizmos will create an expressive portrait. Most people need these props to make them feel confident they can take a good picture.

But there is an easier way.

And the answer lies within.

Amanda Herbert | Isle of Wight
Email: info@amandaherbert.com

Amanda Herbert is the premier headshot photographer in Ryde and the Isle of Wight. Known for the genuine expressions she captures in her portraits of camera-shy women and small business owners looking for expressive portraits. Contact her Seaview home studio to book a session.

Feeling a little nervous is normal, especially when I’m planning to try new things in the studio. Starting the session without direction is hard, which is why my feeling of being a little lost doesn’t last long, I’m a born planner. So if like me, you’re not really sure which direction to take your photography, feeling out of your depth is perfectly normal!

Take the photograph above. I was sure the red top would work beautifully with Friederike’s beautiful blonde hair. It turns out the top was impossible to pose with. When I feel the session shifting slightly, I tend to let the emotions overpower me for a short while, before I take charge again. That out of control feeling is a sign that something needs to shift, to change, to adapt and transform. 

Very often it’s the model’s inspiration that provides the spark, when their characters shine from the photographs and there’s a truth in their gaze. Like Friederike here, she’s worked with a number of photographers on the island with huge success. I honestly feel she’s heading for bigger and more important things in life.

During the session Friederike spoke about our first photo session when she was thirteen, it’s wild how she’s grown into a confident, self-assured and engaging women. Outgrowing things we once thought we couldn’t live without and moving towards what really makes us happy is when good things happen: people that make us laugh, friends we can trust and quiet times with our family who loves us unconditionally.

Life has a tendency to lead us down paths that surprise us and it’s not until we are ready to turn another corner that we realize we’re right where we need to be. So to when I’m nervous about using studio light, I take a deep breath and remember, photography is all a work in progress.

And if you are a model whose just starting out, don’t be afraid. Trust your photographer. Enjoy the process. Honestly, it’s not what clothes you wear, how you pose or even what you look like. Photographs with impact are the ones when your personality shine forth, so listen to your heart and go with your gut. Are you having fun? Do you like the photographer? Are you excited to share the photographs at the end of the session? Then, just have fun and get as much experience as you can.

There’s a feel-good experience when I’m taking photographs, even when I’m nervous. It’s the giddy excitement of creating something new and I’m always up for a new adventure.

Get in touch if you’d like to be added to my waiting list, I’m always eager to work with new models on the Isle of Wight.

Amanda Herbert | Isle of Wight
Email: info@amandaherbert.com

Amanda Herbert is the premier headshot photographer in Ryde and the Isle of Wight. Known for the genuine expressions she captures in her portraits of camera-shy women and small business owners looking for expressive portraits. Contact her Seaview home studio to book a session.