Can you Photoshop my Double Chin and make me Thinner? (And Why You're Asking the Wrong Questions)

It never fails. Every single time I show up to a headshot session, there are at least one or two people who completely dread the idea of getting in front of my camera! Whether it's been years since they've had a photo taken, or they simply haven't ever had a professional portrait done, someone always stands in front of my lens hating the experience and feeling like they look unattractive.

The questions they immediately ask? "Can you get rid of my double chin? Can you erase the lines under my eyes? Can you make me look thinner?" The problem with those questions is that you are chasing an idealized version of yourself that no one is ever actually going to meet.

The Voice vs. The Lens

The person that your clients fall in love with, the person that people trust, and the person that someone truly enjoys working with is the real you. It’s a version of ourselves that is often overlooked because we can't analyze it objectively.

Think about it this way: so many of us absolutely hate hearing our own voice when it's recorded and played back to us. However, that is the exact same voice that every single person we interact with hears every single day and they love it.

In that exact same way, your authentic reflection is the trustworthy, kind, beautiful, and amazing person that everyone enjoys collaborating with.

The Corporate Disconnect

Imagine for a second that we took your photo, erased all of your fine lines, dyed your hair so there was no more gray, got rid of your double chin, and gave you a flawless complexion, perfect teeth, and a perfect body type. Then, we use that as your official corporate headshot.

What happens when you show up to a business meeting and no one recognizes who you are? That disconnect is exactly what we want to avoid. I realize that so many people struggle with their self-image. The reason they think they look unattractive is because they've been sold a corporate, commercial image for so long in magazines and movies. It’s a standard that is most often completely unattainable, and it causes people to stop believing that they are good enough just as they are.

What Actually Makes a Portrait Beautiful

After photographing hundreds of people, I can honestly say this: the most attractive person in a photograph is someone who is confident, not someone who has perfect skin, perfect hair, or a missing double chin. Confidence is the most magnetic thing about a human being. If you're afraid to get a headshot because you're missing that confidence, I promise you that my job is to help you find it. If you build yourself up, look in the mirror, and tell yourself that you're beautiful, and believe it even just for a few minutes, that energy will show directly in your headshot.

My Promise to You on Photo Day

Something I do differently to ensure everyone feels completely comfortable is removing the mystery. Before you ever leave my setup, you get to preview every single photo taken live on an iPad and choose your absolute favorite shot right then and there.

As you look at those proofs, the words I like to speak over your shoulder, only if I truly believe them myself—are: "Confident. Approachable. Lighthearted. Comfortable. Relaxed." I want you to know that by the time we are done taking your photograph, just like every other person who felt that exact same dread before you, you will walk away feeling entirely confident. And it starts the moment you step on set and look down at the positioning mat beneath your feet. It reads: “The best looking person in the room stands here.” Because as far as I’m concerned, they do.

A Session that stuck with me
I was at a medical office in downtown Nashville, shooting my sixth headshot out of twenty-six for the day, when a woman stepped up who clearly did not want to be there. Her colleagues were hanging out near the photo set, which only amplified her insecurity. She hated every picture we took. I wanted so badly to help her find a shot she loved, but the tension was too high, and it just wasn't happening. She stepped aside, and as she watched me photograph her coworkers, she became their biggest cheerleader. “Oh wow, that’s a great shot!” she’d say, genuinely supporting her friends. Watching her, I couldn't help but think: Where is that kindness and confidence for yourself? I waited about ten minutes, let the room breathe, and then quietly asked her if we could try one more time. She sighed, but she agreed. This time, the pressure was entirely off. In her mind, the looming dread she’d been carrying all week was already over. She was just playing around now, completely at ease.

And then…BAM.

The very first shot was stunning. Her entire face lit up. She smiled and said, “WOW, I actually really love that photo of myself.” And that right there is exactly why I love what I do. If you’ve been putting off your headshot for the exact same reason she almost did, I’d love to be the one to change that for you.

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I look forward to photographing you and your Team, Nashville! - Bryan Fay