Personal style shows up in every aspect of our lives. It transcends trends. It is the aesthetic that defines who we are at our core. Expressing that style through home décor, clothing, travel and even social media is easier once you know what your personal style is. But when it’s time for a new corporate headshot or the family holiday photo – times when other decision makers have a say – many people find it difficult to communicate their own personal aesthetic on camera.
It doesn’t have to be that way, says local lifestyle photographer Astri Wee. She has helped hundreds of people capture their unique style with a single photo. Whether it is baby’s first photo or a professional head shot, there are ways to snatch a moment conveying “that special something” that is 100% unique.
The key to a great shot isn’t in the poses or the backdrop, or even the purpose of the picture. We asked professional photographer Astri Wee for her advice on how we can all stay true to our personal style in every photo we take.
Q: What is the key to capturing the essence of someone’s style?
A: What you want to tell the world about yourself informs your personal style and the aesthetic that captures it. That is all based in emotion. Taking a great photo means tapping into that emotion that characterizes who you are. Doing that takes collaboration with your photographer, whether it’s a professional, a friend, or someone else. You need to ask yourself what you want every photo to say. The answer may come in a split second before you snap a picture with your phone for Instagram, or over the course of a conversation with a professional photographer. Regardless of the situation, tapping into emotion is a mindful and effective approach to photography.
Q: What makes a strong, emotional photograph?
A: There is so much to say about what makes a strong photo. But truthfully, art and style are subjective. If you ask 10 photographers how they would shoot the same situation, you'll get 10 answers. There's no right or wrong. It's very personal.
That said, there are things that technically make a good photograph; things like compelling composition, storytelling, contrasting concepts, brilliant use of light, and unique perspectives. These elements are all important. Yet, I’ve seen photographs that don’t meet any of those technical criteria, but still move me. It really comes down to an emotional connection between the photographer and the subject.
An image should stir something inside you. A strong image brings the viewer to an emotional place and emotional response. That to me is what personal style is all about—creating an emotional response based on how you present yourself in the world.
A staged headshot or a family photo where everyone is looking at the camera each have their place. But, for me, a strong photo that capture emotion comes from the moments in between those moments. So-called candid photos are more genuine because they capture a spontaneous moment that nobody is preparing for—they're real.
Q: How do you tease out that emotion?
A: One trick I use with my clients is to snap the shutter on the count of two instead of three, which catches a person preparing for the shot. That is often their true self. I also talk to my clients. I tell jokes or have conversations. That way, when I start snapping the shutter, we're having a conversation and they're reacting to something I say. It's a genuine emotion I'm catching and that comes across.
Making the subject comfortable is key. For example, one recent client hadn't had her picture taken since having her mastectomy. She was getting a new corporate head shot and was self-conscience about her body. We talked and joked, and, after she told me the reason for her stiffness, she relaxed and had fun. The result was a corporate headshot where her personality shined and her style came through.
Q: Is there a best way to prepare for a photoshoot?
A: Wear comfortable clothing in colors that you know look good on you. Act like you do when you're around trusted friends and family. That is how your essence will shine through.
Astri Wee specializes in luxury, lifestyle photography. Her style combines fine art and journalism, always striving to capture her subjects in a relaxed and natural environment. Based in Brambleton, she works throughout Northern Virginia. See more of her work and contact her at https://astriwee.com.