Portrait photography is about making connections. The saying that it's not what you know but who you know applies here, but not in the standard way. In this case, it is more about how to connect with your subject in a way that makes them feel welcomed, respected and appreciated. After all, they are spending their hard-earned cash in your studio!
This becomes a challenge sometimes though, as most of us are used to looking at ourselves in the mirror. This is exactly the opposite of what we see in our own photograph. So the perspective is immediately off, and we feel uncomfortable looking at the photos.
The photographer's duty is to put you at ease, yes, I've said it before. But really, it is, and your job is to tell the photographer what you don't like about yourself, and what you do. When was the best picture ever taken of you? Why did you like it? If you can communicate at least some of these things to your photographer, you'll end up with a great portrait. You may not like that you've gotten older, or fatter, or thinner or whatever, but you will appreciate that the best portrait of you is still pretty darn good.
At the end of the day, isn't that the point?
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