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.

Hey there again, just sharing these photographs of Etti taken in my living room to let you know that my home studio is open again. I’m absolutely amazed at Etti’s confident gaze and serene countenance, she’s a wonderful model and creative working with a wide range of photographers on the Isle of Wight and further afield.

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Throughout my ten plus years photographing women and chatting with with them about why they were nervous ahead of the session, it became apparent that many women were aspiring to look a certain way. 

Avoiding words like beautiful, pretty and attractive, what my clients really wanted was confidence and positivity to shine from their portraits. A specific look that came as a result of choosing the right photographer.

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What in life are you most passionate about?

Helping women become their best selves is what I am most passionate about. Believe it or not, Victoria shared that she’s actually more of a ‘tom-boy’ and these graceful photographs are all down to her clever ability to transform my ideas into reality.

Working with modern women to create photographs with soul is what I love doing. Creating photographs that remind you of your real value as a mum, model or aspiring artist is my goal. Everyone deserves love. Admiration. Joy. Most people find it hard to celebrate their successes preferring to shy away from praise or congratulation. I want to say to everyone who sees their photographs for the first time: you deserve to celebrate your achievements.

To accept yourself fully, I believe you must first try to trust yourself and this doesn’t happen overnight. So I talk to people about why they want to be photographed and hear similar things each time: they just need one photograph, a short photoshoot but one that creates portraits that are beautiful, meaningful and shine with joy. A portrait session with me is energizing not overwhelming, think of it as a quick catch up that makes you feel better about yourself, like a chat with a friend over coffee.

Working with Victoria was a reminder that life is beautiful and that working with passionate models gives meaning and soul to our creative process. Victoria arrived full of happiness and laughter, working in The Boardroom Studio, Derby is truly a unique experience and one that I hope to repeat next year.

My aim is simple – to ensure a truly wonderful experience.  I customise each photo session, from the beginning of the shoot right until your items are delivered. My goal is to personally look after you every step of the way. That way I know you’ll get a service that is second to none.

For more advice on natural portrait sessions or to book a natural portrait by an Isle of Wight photographer, get in touch and I’ll be happy to help.

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

A typical portrait session doesn’t always look like this

Reflecting on thirteen years worth of portrait sessions with numerous inspirational women who want to look natural and glowing in their photographs, I’ve learnt how much bravery it really takes to contact a professional photographer in Ryde, facing fears about your body, your wardrobe and even how you feel about yourself.

I’m hoping this post changes the way you think about booking a portrait photographer and peels away your fears, for ever. Most importantly, help you more easily prepare for a photo shoot creating photographs that everyone loves.

There is no perfect portrait session (no matter how much you prepare).

Yet when many of us start to think about updating our headshots, making a personalised card with a family photograph or capturing a special moment in your relationship, like a maternity shoot, we start with an expectation that we need to be perfect.

But perfection doesn’t exist.

Life is full of stress points – our jobs, school, kids, pets and even our loved ones. But what if my portrait sessions don’t require you to be perfect? What if all of us can photograph beautifully, with charm and expression, no matter how imperfect we feel? With portrait sessions in my Ryde home-studio, it turns out that’s not just a nice idea. It’s the truth.

Take Etti’s session in Ryde (and although I don’t normally I use my bathroom as a studio) these photographs show Etti in a confident, flattering and creative outlook. Despite her self-confessed doubts about the session ahead of time, I just know Etti loves her photographs.

Amazing photographer, I can not wait to work with her again.

I too adore these photographs, especially when I sense a new muse in Etti (see her profile here). Our inspiration? To capture her confident outlook – Etti’s always supporting other creatives, her suggestions and guidance help artists realise their ambitions.

Etti makes me want to hug myself in delight. Her suggestions to use old books, speckled eggs and beautiful blossoms create new narratives to our collaboration. Making the portrait session spontaneous and exciting, Etti is the kinda gal that pushes people to be the best that they can.

My favourite photographs were actually taken in my bathroom. Surprising? I knew that the light was beautiful. Proving my point. You don’t have to be perfect to create beautiful photographs. What it really takes to create honest portraits is trust – trust in my clever posing and use of flattering lighting to create fine art imagery that shines with confidence, health, and character.

My aim is simple – to ensure a truly wonderful experience.  I customise each photo session, from the beginning of the shoot right until your items are delivered. My goal is to personally look after you every step of the way. That way I know you’ll get a service that is second to none.

For more advice on natural portrait sessions or to book a natural portrait by an Isle of Wight photographer, get in touch and I’ll be happy to help.

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