Portrait Masters
I’ve come to strongly believe that confidence is empowerment for myself and my clients alike and the energy I put into my work will shine through my clients’ faces. It’s the reason I invest time into learning and growing and why I was pulled toward Portrait Masters, an awards and accreditation program by Sue Bryce Education. Not only is it an opportunity to submit work for review, but it is also access to a photography community willing to teach others. Along with Sue Bryce herself, I look up to portrait photographers like Annie Leibovitz, Peter Lindbergh, Kara Marie, and Felix Kunze (I just love all their work!). I see what they’re doing and say “Damn, how do they do that? I want to learn!” They each have inspired techniques I use in my own work and learned because of Portrait Masters.
New lighting. Posing. Backdrops. Styling. Editing. Color Correcting. Using a team. Being involved in Portrait Masters has encouraged me to strengthen my skill set, keep learning, stay fresh and never be complacent with my work. Being part of a community that openly shares and encourages others keeps me excited to learn more; refine a technique so it works for my own style; practice, practice, practice; and apply new skills to photographing my clients. Every. Single. Day.
The effort is paying off too. This year I earned the Portrait Masters Associate Level milestone with 25 Bronze accreditation points from images I submitted, and I’m super proud of it. Someone the other day mentioned “That photo looks like an Annie Leibovitz photo!” Honestly, I’m not sure there is a more validating compliment.
Still, I know I can push myself further--new techniques, added accreditations, stronger images. I want to keep seeing the elevated quality of my work, but, even more, my goal for each session is getting to the moment where my client throws back her shoulders with a bold smile and bright eyes, like Janet here. I want to work hard to have every client feel this internally happy, beautiful, incredible and their best. When you come to me, I want you to know it’s your day. We’re going to capture the magic of it.
