“Amanda, where to begin. She was the loveliest and I’d say most professional photographer I’ve worked with to date, so warm and welcoming, as well as unlocking my inner slight confidence round the camera. The photos I’m still in awe of, and show to everyone I know. Such a lovely shoot all round, Mandy is the sweetest, would highly recommend ✨”
I came across an old sketchbook in our messy, shambolic shed as I struggled through the piles of neglected suitcases and unopened boxes. Some were open, others sealed over six years ago. There are some crazy structures of cushions, garden chairs, and rugs supported by gardening tools, worn through with overuse.
Scanning through the sketches drawn over ten years ago in Japan is a wonderful way to bring back lost memories of our travels. Peering at the details, I’m transported back to Kyoto when my husband drew glossy tiles on a temple roof as I strolled further and further away, searching for some hidden corner to photograph.
It’s the same with my expressive portraiture.
Photography is a brilliant demonstration of how memories can travel through space and time, a toddler grimacing on a beach, wrapped up in a homemade cardigan opens up a doorway into shared experiences.
Which is why I patiently wait for Katie to contact me again and re-book her portrait session, as with Annabelle’s beach session, it took Katie 3 months or more to confirm her session. Why? Because time rarely feels right: bad hair days, empty bank balances, wobbly bits and busy days are draining
Whenever I am having one of those weeks, where everything seems insurmountable; deadlines, dramas, and disasters loom in my mind, I feel overwhelmed and retreat within myself. There’s no way I’d want my photograph taken, let alone talk to anyone.
If you’re like me, after wallowing in self-pity for a day or two, I pick up my travel notebooks and remind myself who I am. Just a few months ago, I started taking self-portraits, a humbling experience yet somehow I found my true self again. Going through the painstaking process of staring at your own face, very, very closely as I Photoshop each wrinkle, grey hair, and sunspot I found a calmness.
Because I realised I liked myself. The professional photos I’d recreated weren’t about my hair, clothes or glasses. I looked like myself when I’m happy – confident and relaxed.
If I can do all that, then I know how tough it feels to stand in front of the camera. Especially when facing a pandemic, a recession, and a messy home.
You can do it. You will get in touch (even if it takes 3 months). Don’t make excuses.
I’m so passionate about helping you feel confident in front of the camera by building up a rapport, making it fun, and taking care to help you ahead of time. I want my photos to:
- Give you a boost
- Empower you
- Make you feel good
As you sit at home, missing the pubs, clubs, and bars, Shanklin theatre, Scooter Weekend, and Jack up the 80s, the pulse of summer on the Isle of Wight, why not dig out old photos of your loved ones and indulge in a little nostalgia?
You can enjoy a full set of studio portrait photography in Ryde. A huge thank you to Katie for her sense of style, creativity, and ambitious aspirations.
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.
- Learn about my supportive approach to headshots
- See more of my work as a portrait photographer in Isle of Wight
- Check what I enjoy producing in my home studio, Ryde
- View a typical beach session by Ryde pier
- Read about headshot photography pricing and check availability
Booking for expressive headshots, Ryde
Amanda Herbert | Isle of Wight
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