Relaxed outdoor headshot photoshoot with a travel journalist and author in Sussex area
Magdalena Smolarska
As a Brighton female portrait photographer I have a chance to meet and work with truly inspiring creative women entrepreneurs from UK, London and Sussex area who (like me) are not necessarily comfortable having their picture taken.
Lizzie is one of them.
Meet Lizzie Look, an award-winning travel journalist and debut author from London. Lizzie approached me as she needed more up-to-date brand portrait pictures including (not boring) headshots for publicity and marketing campaigns.
She came by train from London to central Brighton and hopped into my car to drive another 45min to the most stunning location on the Sussex coast: Seven Sisters County Park, cliffs & beach, for her brand portrait photo shoot in nature.
Her work assignments have taken her to some incredible destinations. And in search of inspiration to write her debut novel “ Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter” she spent time in north-west Australia researching the dangerous and fascinating pearl-diving industry.
I picked the Seven Sister Country park as the location for the photoshoot as it offers:
1) breath taking white cliffs
2) beautiful private beach
2) forest (only 10 minutes drive from the beach)
We spent half day together including car drive. It gave us enough time to know each other, connect and make the photoshoot experience as relaxed as possible.
We took hundreds of beautiful brand portrait images with different backdrops inspired by beach, forest and cliffs.
Each headshot and portrait was infused with Lizzie’s personality, energy and beautiful smile.
This is what Lizzie had to say about the experience:
”When I realised I had to get some new headshots for work, the first thing I felt was abject terror.
Seriously!
Like loads of people, I HATE having my photo taken, and the thought of having to do any sort of photoshoot filled me with dread (I had actual nightmares about it…).
I know this is not uncommon, so if this is you, and if you’re prone to feeling flat-out awkward in front of the camera like I do, I would hugely recommend the lovely Magdalena who is surely the most patient and kind photographer (and person) around.
Not only did she put me at ease - an almost impossible task - but she was also energetic and creative enough to whizz us around different locations trying out various backdrops for our shots (forest, farm and sea).
She focuses particularly on women entrepreneurs and creatives, so do drop her a line if you’re in need of any brand photography UK .”
Are you camera shy like me?
Yes, yes, yes me too!
Even a professional portrait photographer is feeling uncomfortable in front of camera.
This is why I do what I do: photographing purpose driven women like you, making them feeling save so they can express themselves.