There is a bit of divide when it comes to before and after photos, and I do understand why. Some of you love them, seek them out on photographers’ websites and some of you, well, you really don’t. And it is easy to assume we are selling our product on the whole “look how beautiful and gorgeous we can make you look with hair and make up” and “in case you are already feeling crap about yourself – look at this!!” (insert drumroll).
But that couldn’t be further from the truth and I am ALL about speaking my truth. When it comes to what I do, integrity is key.
Soooo…I want to explain why we do them and how they can be an important way for potential clients to see just what it is we actually do.
The reason behind them is not to insinuate that our clients are less beautiful or worth less before the make up, the hair, the styling and the professional lighting.
Because, in fact, all that, is only the icing on the cake, never the cake itself so to speak. They are instead a visual keepsake for our clients to see just how many other beautiful sides they have to them that may not show in everyday phone selfies and family photos. And this is key. A skilled portrait photographer will know how to bring that connection and micro expression into the image, which is what makes all the difference. They will know how to pose you to flatter your figure, how to position your hands and when to ask you to smile and when to subtly smile with your eyes.
A tiny little baby smile, yes, that is a thing and I ask for it all the time.
A before and after is powerful on so many levels. It’s a reminder that there is more to us than meets the eye, that we have depth, sensuality, sass, strength, integrity, sorrow and love, to name a few. It’s a reminder that, although you are now a mother, a wife or a grand mother, you are also still you.
THAT is what a before and after photo is about; the internal core qualities of a woman that may have been lost or hidden for a while. This is a way to bring them to life again and make her shine.
If you made it this far into this post, then CONGRATS! - well actually, no. No congrats, just a big thank you for reading. I would also love to hear your thoughts on this subject as it is too easy for me to get lost in my own little "photography" world. Do you love or hate them? Do you like to look at them and would they make you want to be photographed? Leave a comment below! Let's chat :)
With love
Sx
Gorgeous Jazmin