I thought I was a good presenter because I'd been doing it for decades. I was wrong.
The day someone suggested I should film myself presenting (to address my distracting mannerisms) was the day I started working on my YouTube channel. I spend an evening or two a week on it.
Here's what I've learned after 2 years of YouTubing…
1) Hearing my own voice and seeing my own face while editing is surreal. I experience what it's like for someone else to talk to me.
2) My distracting mannerisms are worse than I thought. I often pause because my mind stutters and can't find the right word to say. It lasts 4 or more seconds (feels like a lifetime) and I often have to use the wrong word in the end just to keep going. It's like having an empty thesaurus.
3) My feedback is now from the public, and it ranges from high praise ("Beautifully said. Never heard someone talk about photography this way.") to personal criticism. I was called an “arrogant git” today. I guess that's the next thing I need to work on. It's emotionally taxing because people are saying aloud what probably used to be said when I wasn't in the room.
4) I've experimented with memorizing scripts, teleprompters and speaking with no prepared material at all. Different types of video lend themselves to different techniques.
5) Though I'm addressing my “ums” and my brain freezes, a lot of it is simply cut out while editing. It's kind of cheating and is probably slowing my progress.
6) My self analysis gets put into full practice when presenting in-person at photography and art clubs. It's clear that YouTubing has really helped with my speaking confidence.
Lastly, and the reason I think everyone should be a YouTuber, is that I get to explore new ideas, think them through, present them and have a record that I can look back on in the future.
And of course, “The best way to learn is to teach”.
As long as there are people who are entertained or informed by the videos, then its worth it.
Reading the Room: Headshots of people at the top of their business game
I'm constantly amazed that people at the top of their game talk about their work in an accessible way, regardless of how complicated it is in reality. They can split the technical expert and the public relations parts of their personality to suit their audience. I feel smarter after spending time with them, which is a perk of the job.
Do you read the room and tailor your approach for it?
Laura Jaramillo, Executive Director of LISC Houston
Multiple looks for an Interior Designer's portrait session in Marblehead!
I get a lot of cool people in my studio here in Marblehead. Last week Somerville-based artist and interior designer Catherine Owens stopped by to update her headshot for her website’s about page.
We got a great headshot, of course, but we also headed into the garden for a closer to nature feel.
She brought a black top and white skirt so we could play with the black and white backdrops. The checkerboard pattern is one of my favorite signature shots.
See Catherine’s work through her website, and you can get in touch with me about your headshot by emailing info@filnenna.com or call me on 339 297 2849. Why not use the opportunity to explore the historic coastal town of Marblehead while you are here too!
I’m Fil Nenna, a portrait photographer serving Boston’s North Shore who specializes in helping small businesses like yours get more customers through quality images for your website.
Located in Marblehead I provide on-location services in Salem, Swampscott, Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Boston and beyond. I can work in any space no matter the size or lighting conditions.
Please get in touch at info@filnenna.com to find out how quick and convenient making awesome headshots can be!
Exploring Marblehead, MA. A new town video showing how beautiful this place is!
I usually make portraits and headshots indoors, but the town I live in is far too eye-friendly to not think about outdoor locations too.
Marblehead is nestled on the north shore, not too far north of the city of Boston, and next door to Salem. The Atlantic harbor is full of recreational and fishing boats, and even away from the beaches are wonderful conservation lands and historic architecture dating back to the earliest settlers in America.
Disclaimer: If you buy through the affiliate links in this description, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support!
Wandering around, I collated a series of video clips that combined into a town reel. The time lapse videos were captured on a Canon 6D mkII and there’s 4k footage from the air using a DJI mini 3 pro drone.
I’m Fil Nenna, a portrait photographer serving Boston’s North Shore who specializes in helping small businesses like yours get more customers through quality images for your website.
Located in Marblehead I provide on-location services in Salem, Swampscott, Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Boston and beyond. I can work in any space no matter the size or lighting conditions.
Please get in touch at info@filnenna.com to find out how quick and convenient making awesome headshots can be!
A photographer's end of year checklist (5 things you shouldn't forget!)
We get excited about taking pictures and sharing them, sometimes to the extent we overlook some of the less exciting housekeeping tasks. BUT there are some things to do that make us better photographers in the long run and the end of the year is the perfect time to make sure we are on top of it.
1.Be grateful
It is a great privilege to be able to take pictures. To have the resources and the time to take an interest in some aspect of life and preserve it through a camera. I look forward to every photo session. The portraits I make allow me to meet and learn about hundreds of people a year. I get to hear about their experiences and soak up some of their wisdom. Not every one gets to spend time with so may interesting people, and for this I am grateful.
Perhaps you get to spend time in nature, or solve the puzzles of arranging still lifes. Maybe you hang around classic cars, or find local news stories to document. Where have you taken your camera in the last 12 months?
2.Backups
All those digital files! Backing up is a standard practice to prevent a single hardware failure from wiping out your work, and its often overlooked because we have other things to do.
But please do it.
Not only backup, but you could use the opportunity to make sure your files are organized and keyworded.
3.Print Print Print!
Digital files are convenient, but they don’t exist. Not in the physical world. In 100 years time, they could be lost to hardware failure, format obsolescence or worse - people wont be able to access them becaue they don’t know your passwords. Even if they did, would they be able to (or be bothered to) process RAW files? And even if they did would they want to sift through thousands of images to find the good ones. And even if they did, would they find the processed ones?
And so on.
This is all solved by printing your work. Every year I print 4x6s of family photos and store them in a shoebox for my children to find like my parents did.
I also go through my portraits and pick the 30 or 40 best ones of the year and print a low-cost Shutterfly book. I can show the book to clients and friends, and its also an archive of my best work.
4.Review
What did you take pictures of this year? How many pictures did you take? Did any pictures get published in a local magazine? What was your most viewed blog post or instagram picture? I like to document the most important things I’ve done over the past 12 months, especially if it was unusual, like getting picked for the juried gallery at a charity auction, or meeting a cool photographer or business owner that I really connected with. Take stock of what you did and write it down. After a few years you’ll have a collection of these reports and you’ll see how far you’ve come!
5.Plan
When you review your best pictures to print out, you can start to think about what you can improve on. Do you need to look for inspiration in different places? Is there a technique than needs some attention? Its a great time to set goals for the following year knowing that if you succeed or fail, you’ll have to write it in next year’s review!
Don’t just think about it, do it!
My end of year checklist is really important to me and I don’t let it slip. I need to know where I’ve been, where I’m going and to make sure my work is preserved digitally and physically. I love being a photographer and still get excited about where it might take me. Each year is better than the last!
I’m Fil Nenna, a portrait photographer serving Boston’s North Shore who specializes in helping small businesses like yours get more customers through quality images for your website.
Located in Marblehead I provide on-location services in Salem, Swampscott, Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Boston and beyond. I can work in any space no matter the size or lighting conditions.
Please get in touch at info@filnenna.com to find out how quick and convenient making awesome headshots can be!
Beyond Good: Why You need an Empathetic Photographer for Your Professional Portraits
Thanks to Yeager Anderson for this guest post! Here’s his advice on how to go about choosing the best photographer for your new headshots.
Yeager is a portrait and headshot photographer based in Rochester, NY. You can check out more of his work here: www.yeagerandersonphotography.com.
Portrait by Yeager Anderson
Choosing a portrait photographer for your company or small business involves an evaluation that considers technical skills, artistic vision, and personal qualities contributing to a positive and productive collaboration. The distinction between a good portrait photographer and a great one often goes beyond technical skills.
While technical proficiency is essential, what truly separates the two is a combination of artistic vision, interpersonal skills, and a deep understanding of the subject. A great portrait photographer seamlessly integrates technical proficiency with a deep desire to connect with their subject, creating portraits that are not only technically sound but also emotionally impactful.
A good photographer can capture nice photographs but may struggle to establish a meaningful connection with the subject. A great photographer goes beyond technicalities; they connect with their subjects on a personal level. This connection allows them to bring out genuine emotions, expressions, and a sense of authenticity in their portraits.
More than Just a Picture
The foundation of a great portrait photographer's ability to connect with subjects lies in empathy and strong interpersonal skills. By creating an environment where individuals feel at ease, they skillfully draw out authentic expressions. Effective communication further enhances the collaborative experience, ensuring clients not only comprehend the process but also have confidence in the photographer's abilities.
In the business world, the qualities of empathy and other soft skills in a portrait photographer are invaluable for several reasons. A business often requires professional portraits for various purposes such as corporate profiles, marketing materials, and branding. Here's why these qualities are crucial and how a skilled, empathetic portrait photographer can genuinely benefit a business:
1.Building Authentic Brand Representation:
Why It Matters: In today's market, consumers are increasingly drawn to authentic and relatable brands. A portrait photographer with empathy excels at creating a genuine connection with the individuals they photograph. This authenticity translates into portraits that accurately represent the human side of a business, fostering trust and connection with clients, customers, and partners.
2. Enhancing Employee Morale and Engagement:
Why It Matters: A photographer skilled in drawing out authentic expressions contributes to portraits that reflect the personality and individuality of employees. This, in turn, can boost morale and engagement within the workforce. Employees who feel valued and represented in company materials are more likely to feel a sense of belonging and pride in their workplace.
3. Creating a Positive Corporate Image:
Why It Matters: The portraits used in corporate materials often contribute to the overall image of a business. An empathetic photographer can capture the essence of the company culture, presenting it in a positive light. This positively impacts how the business is perceived by clients, investors, and the public, potentially attracting new opportunities and partnerships.
4. Effective Communication of Company Values:
Why It Matters: Portraits are a visual storytelling tool, and a great portrait photographer can convey not just faces but the values and ethos of a business. Through effective communication, they ensure that the portraits align with the company's mission and vision, reinforcing a consistent and compelling narrative about the organization.
5. Improving Client and Employee Relationships:
Why It Matters: Portraits taken by empathetic photographers contribute to a personal connection with the audience. Whether it's clients viewing the faces behind a service or employees recognizing themselves in promotional materials, these portraits foster a sense of trust and familiarity. This can strengthen relationships and contribute to client loyalty and employee satisfaction.
6. Boosting Marketing and Branding Efforts:
Why It Matters: In a competitive business landscape, portraits that convey depth and personality can set a company apart. They become powerful assets in marketing and branding efforts, creating a human-centric approach that resonates with the target audience. Memorable portraits contribute to a strong visual identity that can be leveraged across various marketing channels.
In essence, authentic portraits crafted by an empathetic and skilled photographer are not trivial for a business. They go beyond being mere visual assets; they become strategic tools that influence how a company is perceived, fostering a positive and authentic connection with stakeholders.
From attracting clients to retaining employees, the emotional resonance of these portraits can genuinely contribute to the success and growth of a business in a competitive market.
Portrait by Yeager Anderson
Yeager Anderson is a photographer based in Rochester, NY. He works with small businesses and large companies alike to create images that tell authentic stories and build trust. You can check out more of his work here: www.yeagerandersonphotography.com.