The Profound Journey of Self-Discovery in Portrait Photography | Aberdeen Photography Blog

Unveiling the True Essence Through the Lens 📸✨

Today, let’s look into a topic that’s close to my heart as a portrait photographer: the profound journey of self-discovery through the lens of a camera.

Have you ever considered how a simple photo session can unravel layers of your personality, emotions, and aspirations? It’s more than just capturing a smile or striking a pose – it’s about peeling back the layers of who we are and discovering facets of ourselves we never knew existed.

So, why exactly does portrait photography have this magical ability to reveal the true essence of our being?

Self-portrait in my home studio.

First off, let’s talk about vulnerability. When you step in front of the camera, you’re not just presenting an image of yourself; you’re exposing your vulnerabilities, insecurities, and strengths. It’s this raw authenticity that makes portrait photography such a powerful tool for self-discovery. As a photographer, I strive to create a safe and nurturing space where my clients can let their guard down and truly be themselves.

But it’s not just about vulnerability – it’s also about introspection. During a portrait session, you have the opportunity to reflect on who you are, who you want to be, and how you want to present yourself to the world. Every expression, every gesture, and every angle tells a story – your story.

Moreover, the process of seeing yourself through someone else’s eyes can be incredibly enlightening. As a portrait photographer, I have the privilege of capturing my clients in their most authentic moments, revealing aspects of themselves they may have never noticed before. It’s a collaborative journey of self-exploration, where together, we uncover the beauty and complexity of the human spirit.

Self-portrait - Aberdeen - Scotland.

But perhaps the most transformative aspect of portrait photography is its ability to empower. When you see yourself through the lens of compassion and acceptance, you begin to embrace all aspects of who you are – even the flaws, the quirks, the imperfections. You realize that you are worthy of love, respect, and admiration, just as you are.

Self-portrait - Aberdeen - Scotland

Self-portrait - Aberdeen - Scotland

In one opportunity I had a session with an extremely camera-shy client. She never had a good photo of herself, not even at her wedding! She is a sweet, easy-going person with a good sense of humour. At the moment that I raised my camera, she froze and appeared very rigid, unable to smile at all. She even looked angry in the photos. After she relaxed and was directed in how to pose and laugh with my craziness, this goddess appeared shining bright. She found a safe space to open up and revealed herself in her splendour. She understood that I wasn’t there to judge her, but to play with her. It was a fun experience. With over 10 years of experience taking photos, I know that the hard part for many people is not being photographed (they think it is, but it is not). The most difficult part for many people is accepting all the compliments and attention when they finally shine bright. Imagine. All these years being hard on yourself and only remembering your mistakes and critics about you…and one day that spell is broken. You see that another person emerges in you. How do you dare to be beautiful? How do you dare to shine? How do you dare to be prized and grab so much attention? It was hard for her to receive so many compliments and even her husband was jealous about that (he was the one in the spotlight, not her). You know what happened with that camera-shy person? Now, she has a business as a coach and posts consistently photos and videos of herself like a boss. That’s the power of portrait photography!

I expose myself to self-portraits from time to time, and I know this firsthand. The self-acceptance that my clients were expressing to me after our session is something that I experience myself. All of a sudden, I understood why an extremely camera-shy client became an IG influencer after our session. Or why a student who came for a second photo shoot says how much confidence and self-value these sessions give her. Or that introvert professor with grandchildren turned to me after three hours of a photo session and with high energy told me: Now, I feel that I can kick ass#s!!! A well-executed photo session is an incredible experience and sometimes a life-changing experience.

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Thank you for reading.

Bye for now.