I can never understand why people are so embarrassed about having their photo taken. I mean, we spend a good proportion of our day looking into mirrors. Even shop window reflections are a source of brief, but focussed, imagery. We seem to enjoy it. We like our own image.
Why then do people dislike formal portraiture so much? After all, they have often elected to take part in the process and they have, most likely, made themselves up to look the best possible including clothes and make-up. And, what can be better than having a permanent reminder of just how lovely they do look? It beats all those passing glimpses in car mirrors and other shiny reflective surfaces.
Perhaps its the selfishness of it all that is uncomfortable. By having your portrait taken and studied you are saying here I am, arent I beautiful / interesting. Or perhaps its the photographer someone who would be a bit unfamiliar to the subject especially in commercial studios that puts people ill at ease.
But why should any of this cause problems? We show our faces to the world each and every day. Posing in front of a camera is just a way of formalising our image in a controlled and special way.
The best photographers are able to put models at easy with quick fire comments, wit and an intimate knowledge of their equipment. The question to ask is why does he need to in the first place?
Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com
