Capturing facial microexpressions is my secret to create expressive portrait brand photos - UK Sussex female photographer
Magdalena Smolarska
Did you know, 90% of what is communicated is not spoken!
It is in the microexpressions, it’s in the body language, it’s in the silence, it’s in the energy between us, it’s in your vibration.
These tiny almost-imperceptible facial expression offer us the best window into our emotions, feelings and inner world.
I often manage my clients microexpressions on our lifestyle and brand portrait photoshoots without them even knowing. It makes them more confident and makes the shoot more enjoyable.
Once you know your microexpressions, you’ll be able to:
Be more confident in front of camera
Be more confident during the job interview or difficult conversation or negotiation process
Build a deeper connection with your audience
Understand your clients, colleges or partners true feelings
What is the microexpression?
“A microexpression is a very brief, involuntary facial expression humans make when experiencing an emotion.”
This involuntary emotional leakage exposes a person's true feelings in the moment
They usually last 0.5–4.0 seconds, cannot be faked
A microexpression might not always be visible to the human eye but can be captured on camera
Did you know that there are seven universal micro expressions we all do on a daily basis?
It includes a range of positive and negative expressions not all of which are encoded in facial muscles.
1. Disgust
2. Anger
3. Fear
4. Sadness
5. Happiness
6. Contempt
7. Surprise
It’s all about those micro-moments and microexpressions which I often capture inbetween posing. These are times when you’ve let go and aren’t trying too hard to pose.
Taking beautiful soulful, relaxed and expressive brand portrait images of my clients is more than just pressing a camera button.
During the brand portrait photoshoot and filming projects I am fully present, aware and connected with the person in front of my camera. To the point that, as an empath, I do not only feel but I also see all the emotions on my clients face.
“Emotions not only cause facial expressions—facial expressions also cause emotions.”
I am passionate about capturing those microexpressions, often not visible to the human eye, as they occur in a ½ a second.
At the beginning of the photo session, we allow all emotions to be expressed on our face. I invite my clients to breathe fully with me to calm the nervous system (my number 1 tip on how to relax in front of the camera) by having in mind that emotions are like clouds on the sky, they come and go…. It’s a matter of time and patiently waiting.
Eventually, during the photoshoot, together we will ignite certain facial expressions in order to create emotions.
This happens naturally by laughing from my silly jokes, having deep conversations, connecting with nature, taking deep breaths or by simply incorporating movements: walking, dancing or shaking our body in order to relax facial mussels.
Because I am using a very fast shutter speed setting on my camera I am able to capture a wide range of microexpressions within a fraction of a second.
It’s a truly fascinating process to witness from professional portrait photographer.
Once the shoot is over I share an online gallery with my clients. They are able to view all of the images we took together. The pictures they tend to choose are the ones where the microexpressions portray emotions without being too posed.
My clients usually feel a little bit uncomfortable at the beginning of the photo session, but eventually (like flower blooming in front of the camera) become more and more relaxed and confident (here you can read more about my 13 tips to relax and feel more comfortable in front of camera).
Whether you’re looking to get some professional brand portrait photographs for your website or social media, I am here to help make your dream become a reality. Based in UK Sussex, Brighton and Hove often in London area.