When a photographer gets her own photos done! Liz Hansen @ Chicago Boudoir + Oksana Kami Portraits
How does that phrase go, something about cobblers? There’s a phrase about professionals who offer a service, but then don’t get the same type of service for themselves or their families.
Something like this:
The cobblers children have no shoes.
The plumbers house is full of leaks.
The photographer has no photos of herself??
I don’t want to be that! I don’t want to be the photographer who has no photos of myself.
I make it a priority to take photos of myself and of my family.
For example, I’ve posted before about some boudoir photoshoots I’ve done HERE and HERE. And a recent family photoshoot HERE.
So naturally, I was thrilled when I saw an opportunity to have my photos taken by Oksana Kami Portraits.
Oksana is a super talented photographer who I met recently through a photography group. When I saw her announce on Facebook that she wanted to raise money for the crisis in Ukraine through portrait sessions, I signed up right away. Like many people, I have been looking for ways to support Ukraine. I jumped at the opportunity to have some photos taken of myself and also to raise money for Ukraine.
I showed up at Oksana’s studio for my photoshoot and even though I have done LOTS of photoshoots, I was a little bit nervous! But as soon as we got started in hair and makeup, my nerves melted away. Here I am getting my hair and makeup styled for the photoshoot by the uber talented Laura Franco and Olya Mazur.
I really loved my hair and makeup look and felt ready to step in front of the camera! I felt glamorous! Professional hair and makeup can really help to make you feel confident for a photoshoot.
Oksana was really fabulous at giving me direction and making me feel comfortable throughout the whole photoshoot. She photographed me on two different backdrops (gold and dark blue) and with a few different props (flowers, chairs and a lamp).
About 2 weeks later, I had a reveal with Oksana where I was able to see my images and pick my favorite images. And WOW, I was blown away! I’ve learned that there’s this moment when you see professional photos that can just be really emotional.
This is the first photo that Oksana showed me and I was immediately in love with the artwork she had produced. I feel so confident when I look at this image.
Here are some of the other photos take on the gold backdrop. I love every single one.
Oksana also took some photos of me against a blue wall. This is my absolute favorite shot from the entire photoshoot. When I look at this image, I feel absolutely confident and powerful.
I also love this, even though some people might consider it a non-traditional portrait pose.
This was the final image from my shoot with Oksana, an artistic shot with a bouquet of flowers. I love the sense of mystery and anticipation that is captured here.
I am SO GLAD that I signed up for a photoshoot and took the time and spent the money to get these photos taken.
Why? Because when I look at these photos, I FEEL beautiful and I FEEL confident. It is a feeling that I love and crave and that I can have anytime I want, just by pulling up these photos again and again.
I believe that every person, every life, every face, every body deserves to be photographed and documented. Every human is worthy, valuable and precious.
I also believe that as a photographer, it is really important for me to be in front of the camera regularly. To put myself in that vulnerable position and remind myself what it’s like for my clients to trust me to take photos of them.
It is so important for everyone to get in front of the camera. So often, as adults, we just don’t think to document ourselves and our own lives. We take photos of our pets, of our kids, of trees and flowers. But YOU are important. YOU matter. You matter RIGHT NOW. Not in some mythical future when you feel “ready,” or when you’ve lost 10 lbs (why is it always 10 lbs??). Get out there and be documented! Book a photoshoot for YOU - with me or with another photographer. I promise you won’t regret it!
xo Liz