I have a pet peeve… It’s one that I’m urked by all the time… I even get nervous to share about it because I know so many of you are offenders… How do I know? Because I check. Oooh…I sound all creepy weird and you still don’t even know what I’m talking about yet. Okay so what is this nagging thing that I find rubbing me so unsettlingly often? It is the ‘about me page’ and even more poignant would be – the self portrait.

Backdrop for my Self Portrait (with hubby’s help) is Vintage by Drop it Modern.

May I just rant for a moment? You know me, I’m long winded so a moment may not be quite enough. If you said no, then I guess you’ll stop reading (totally won’t hold it against you). If you said yes, well – thank you.

Here’s what’s in my head… We are photographers, we are about photographs! We are about helping people realize the value, the importance, the need for sharing who we are through beautiful images. That’s what we do! {stay with me} … So if we claim to value photography, offer photography, believe that everyone deserves a picture that they love of themselves, that captures their personality and that helps the world get to know them better… Why, Oh Why, Oh Why do YOU not have a self portrait on your site? Do you think somehow that you are not deserving of that image that you love where YOU are the focus? Do you believe that somehow it’s just not possible to create such a thing if it is you that the focal point is set on.

Everyone deserves a beautiful image hat they love of themselves. Everyone should experience the process of preparing for it. If that idea makes you cringe, than make it something wonderful and new that can help you find the joy in it. Buy a new blouse or have your makeup professionally done – make it about finding you. Because even you, especially you the photographer who gives the gift of  moment’s held still deserves to have at least one image that you truly love!

And let me tell you what does not qualify as a self portrait… Your hubby, no matter how dashingly handsome he may be, your children even if they should be the next GAP models, and certainly not your kindergarten pic. So what should a self portrait be? Let’s start with current and just work our way out from there. If you’re ready to go further than that, try making it a reflection of your personally and also your photography style, but above all else, the subject should be you! Did I mention that a self portrait is not a self portrait if only the back of your head is showing?

Now let me tell you why having a Self Portrait on your website is so important…. First thing to consider is that we sell photographs and shocking as this may seem you’re not the only person who doesn’t like to be photographed.  Writing that you’re better behind the camera as opposed to in front of it is ammunition for every dad out there who doesn’t want to get in front of your camera. And let me tell you, most of them are begging for a good excuse to get them out of it. Further more, “look even this photographer you think is so great hates having her picture taken” is a decent comeback if he’s smart enough to use it. Just as every mom knows it’s all about do as I’m doing! And anyone who’s ever heard “do what I say not what I do” knows just how obnoxious that little sentiment is! So than should we realize that we better be practicing what we’re preach’n! With me so far?

Second….. People need to connect with you. They need to feel like you would relate well to their family, that you’d be the right fit for what they want. And yes… Of course it’s your pictures that are going to help them determine those factors. But those images will only get you so far. When it’s finally time to pick up the phone and call, mom needs to know that you (you-the-person) are what she wants. Because what do I always say? You are your product.

Third… It’s professional. If you  go to the site of your favorite photographer here you’re going to see a well done professional self portrait and you would expect it right? Wouldn’t you be surprised if they didn’t have one? BTW – If they don’t – you can just send them over here. Well, you too deserve to be taken seriously, if for no other reason (and I’m sure there are other reasons) than that you have a passion for photography!

Here are my final thoughts… I know what some of your are thinking, ‘but I’m the photographer. Who the heck is going to take my picture for me?’ Making your self portrait happen should be a priority, you could be losing business over this so how is it going to be accomplished? You can use a tri-pod, a counter top, a husband, a child (probably stay at 5 and over 😉 ) and if you’re really lucky – another photographer. Remember my suggestion about creating a ‘play date’ with fellow photogs in your area and offering to do each others profile portraits? When I find a new photographer that I’m really loving the first thing I do is go to their blog, I want to see recent work and get to know them… After a couple posts the next thing I do is hit “the about me” tab. I’m excited, I want to know who this amazing talent belongs to and when I see that they have no portrait it makes me so sad.

Woooh. I’m done. The ranting has come to an end. I really truly hope that you’re seeing what I’m saying. You want your clients and even more importantly those potential clients to connect with you and your self portrait is a huge part of that!! I also feel strongly that you deserve to have an image that you love of yourself. You, me and every girl in Dove commercial. In fact, I think it’s so important that I have a challenge for you and to get you excited about it, it comes with a BIG PRIZE!

Create a SELF PORTRAIT! With that SP you can either write a creative about me page (but you have to post it as a blog post as well to count here) or you can write a blog post about the experience of creating this image. Which ever way you choose to write, your Self Portrait Submission must come with a directly linked BLOG post. Use the linky tool below to show us your self portrait and link to your blog post entry. I will have a panel of judges… myself, Kelli France, Jessica Grieves and who knows, maybe more will come!

The Rules….

1. The linky image must be your SELF PORTRAIT submission, Please name it your name or your photography business name.
2. When we click the link it must take us directly to your submission blog post that has your self portrait and either your creative ‘About Me content’ or a post about what having this picture means to you.
3. You must reference and link Go{4}Pro in the post.

4. All entries must be made by December 15th (you have 3 weeks!) GOOD LUCK!

5. This contest if for anyone. Whether you have a self portrait and want to update or need one to replace the snapshot where you cropped out your family or just don’t have one at all.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with…. I’m so excited!!!

What will the winner of the ‘About Me Page’ contest receive?

Since you’re doing the work to get your business looking great with your new ‘about me’ page, I wanted to offer an awesome prize pack to help your business continue to move forward and some awesome friends of mine said they wanted to contribute too…

The Ultimate Completely Customizable Marketing Kit -Paysen by Go{4}Pro (200.00)

The iPhone Collection by Go{4}Pro (50.00)

1 hour Phone Consult with me, Leah Remillet aka Go{4}Pro Girl (100.00)

$100 Gift Card from Simply Color Lab / Simply Canvas (100.00)

Francypants Academy’s  Boutique Business Bundle (135.00)

Photographer’s Kick Start Training (299.00)

{ Total Grand Prize Value $884. }

Unfortunately you can’t see the favicon images from the linky – I’m not sure why or how to fix it either cause this is a privately hosted site. But just click on the link below to enter. If you’re one of the first 10, send me an email and I’ll send you a little surprise!

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