What Does It Mean to Be "Photogenic"?

"I'm just not photogenic."

Photogenic meaning: Simply put, being photogenic means appearing attractive or natural in photographs. But after photographing people for more than 30 years, I think that definition misses something important.

I've heard those words hundreds of times over the years, and almost every time, I find myself thinking the same thing: we'll see about that. Underneath it, what most people are really asking is how to look photogenic in photos - and the answer usually surprises them.

The funny thing is, there doesn't seem to be any connection between how attractive someone is and whether they believe they're photogenic. I've had stunning women apologize before a session because they were convinced they never looked good in photographs. I've also met very ordinary-looking people who confidently declared they always photographed well.

That tells me the problem usually isn't physical - it's psychological. Once we decide we're not photogenic, we expect every picture to prove us right. We become self-conscious, tense, and hyper-aware of the camera, and that expectation has a way of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The other piece of the puzzle is that most of us judge ourselves based on everyday snapshots - taken with a phone, on a wide-angle lens, under harsh lighting, at the exact wrong moment. That's a little like deciding you can't sing after hearing yourself through a broken microphone. You're not getting a fair representation.

A professional portrait is different by design. It's not about making someone look like someone they're not. It's about removing the things that work against us every day. Careful lighting flatters facial features. The right lens avoids distortion. And most importantly, I don't expect people to arrive knowing exactly how to pose or what expression to make.

Instead, I spend a little time helping them relax. If there's a real secret to how to look photogenic in photos, that's it - relaxation, not technique. In that sense, adults aren't much different than toddlers. The best expressions rarely happen because someone says, "Smile!" They happen when people become comfortable enough to forget there's a camera in front of them.

One of my favorite moments came from a high school senior who looked at her portrait and quietly said, "Oh my God, I've never thought I was very pretty, but I actually look pretty in this portrait."

I never worry too much about why someone suddenly sees themselves differently. The reasons are as unique as the people themselves. I'm simply grateful that, if only for a moment, I was able to help someone walk away feeling a little more confident than when they walked in the door.

Want to talk about a portrait?
Reach Out HERE

or
See More of My Work HERE

‍