Expression Coaching

So, what is Expression Coaching?

Before I answer that I want to talk about why it is important for me as a photographer to use expression coaching. I want to give you the best image of you. I want you to look your best online. Many people don’t because they use selfies, or just don’t have any expression at all. The deer in the headlights expressions. People are afraid of how they look in pictures and try things that often make them look more awkward than they actually are. So during a session I work on finding the best angles and expressions so that you look natural and professional.

Some of awkwardness is magnified by the physics of how a camera works. It sees things a little different than us. Among other things, the camera captures a two dimensional image of a three dimensional object (your face). This can be used to our advantage; things that are closer to the lens look bigger. Like selfies with a big nose.

I want you to learn how to be comfortable in front of the camera and have some fun with it. I want you see that everyone can look good in front of a camera and can get a good image.

So in comes facial expression coaching and point of view(the cameras).

Expression Coaching is working through what each part of the face is doing to express a specific emotion or state of being. The eyes, the mouth, the eyebrows all work together to show how you genuinely are and what you want to convey.

By change your position in front of the camera we can use the two dimensions to our advantage. We can highlight some features over others. For headshots we like to have the face stand out, so having a strong jawline helps with this. By change the angle that you face the camera, a little up or down, side to side, forward or tilted, we’ll make your jaw more prominent.

The same with expressions. Subtle changes in our face can change the look from confident to contempt, sad to happy, scary to compassionate (well maybe not all that subtle) We all express our emotions on our face everyday. We feel the emotion, but don’t know how we are showing it on our face.

So when we take a picture, what we are currently feeling will come through. Fear or anxiety of being in front of the camera is the most common that a photographers sees. My job is to eliminate that stress.

Once we learn to understand what expressions look good on a headshot, we can focus on those emotions. Things like joy, fun, confidence, strength, approachable, caring and so on. If you're an actor you may want to express every emotion under the sun to show that you got it all covered; Fear, anger, fright, excitement, sadness, and every other human emotion.

The amazing thing is that these expressions are pretty much universal. So when you learn to look confident in front of the camera everyone will recognize this, maybe not consciously, but they will see credence in your abilities.

Our eyes show so much emotion. With a headshot we want the eyes to convey that you are approachable. You want to have people excited to work with you and feel comfortable doing so. By bring up the bottom eyelids to narrow the eyes, without squinting the top, you show a more approachable expression.

Our mouth show so many things. Narrow the lips and it show anger. Smirk tight and to one side is more contempt or disrespect; which is different than a smile to one side. Genuine happiness shows on the whole face, but when there is a subtle show of genuine happiness you can see it in the corner of the lips, the engaged checks, and a little wrinkle in the corner of the eyes. Surprise and the mouth usually opens. Fear the lips slightly stretch to the ears.

Raising one eyebrow can show intrigue, but also give a creepy or angry look pretty quick. Little tightening of the eyebrows can show a sense of seriousness. Raising both shows excitement. They can also show attention and curiosity.

So depending on what you plan to use your headshots for will determine what emotion or mood you want to convey. You may want as a business person a serious, minimal expression. As an entrepreneur of a wild and crazy business you may want to show a little fun and crazy.

It is up to you how you want to show the world who you are!

So before you come for your session practice in the mirror or take some selfies with different expressions and angles to see what you like. We will fine tune your facial expressions during the session.

Hope to see you soon, Craig