...aside from my equine photography, I'm also a portrait photographer.  I truly enjoy working with people to showcase the beauty and personality they possess, and I strive to translate that into the photos that I make of them. 

What's that?  You don't like having your picture taken?  Well, I love it (love it, love it, LOVE IT!!!) when someone tells me that they hate having their photo taken.  I've heard it all: they never look good in pictures, they're camera shy.  Add another 101 excuses that I've listened to (and you don't have time to read) on why they (you!?!?!?) can't/won't/don't ever have pictures professionally captured.  So, I'm laying down the gauntlet:


Some of the comments that I get are after my portrait sessions are, "I've never felt so beautiful and confident as when you photographed me", and "OMG, I didn't know that I could look that good!"  Well, shocker - I personally HATE having MY picture taken (that is why I'm always behind the camera, friends!), so I know exactly where you're coming from, and with my years of lighting experience and working with people, I know not only how to make you look your best, but how to make you feel glamorous in the process.

That's me - always behind the camera and never in front of it (well, rarely in front of it).  One of my girlfriend's took this on the down-low!  Image courtesy and ©All rights reserved. Anna Kaminski, 2009.

Don't believe me?  Schedule a session.  If you don't love your images, they'll never see the light of day, Facebook, or the myriad of other social networking tools that we use for sharing pictures of us looking radiant.  I swear.  But just be warned, I've never had a person not want me to plaster their images all over my Facebook business page (find that here . Go like it and share it, pretty please!), or tag them in photos, or use them on my web site - and I'm determined that you won't be the first.

I'm even going to give you a few tips so you will have the best portrait session EVER, whether it's with me or someone else, because yeah, I really do think you need to have your picture taken right now!

• Prepare for your session and think ahead.  A month before your session, grab your bestie and go shopping for an amazing outfit or three.  You want something really classic, something really glamorous, and something you feel comfortable - but beautiful - in.  Add to that some fun and funky accessories that you can change out throughout your shoot.  You've given yourself a month so you have plenty of time to pick out exactly what you love.

 

• Have your hair trimmed and colored at least two weeks prior to your shoot.  You want a fresh cut and color, but you don't want it to look like you just had it done.

• The night before: go to bed a little early.  If you're nervous, it might take you a little longer to fall asleep.  

 

• The morning of: eat a good breakfast.  Take lots of deep breaths.  Keep reminding yourself that it's going to be fun and fantastic!

 

• Be on time for your shoot.  Discuss any concerns you have with your photographer.  If you hate the way you look from your left side, TELL him/her.  We've heard it all (really, everything from TMI to someone who hates the way their feet look).  Your photographer is there to make you look stunning, but if you don't tell us what you are uncomfortable with, we can't adjust the shoot to accommodate it. 

 

• Lastly, have fun!!!  You wouldn't believe how much people love to have two-three hours of other people telling them how fabulous they look and doting on them.  It really is good for the insides, complete with souvenirs (wall art of Y-O-U).  You will treasure those images for a lifetime, and you'll have felt good and looked fabulous doing it!