Comments on: Photo Directories and Vouz

By: Jane Roeschley

Jane Roeschley — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:51:23 +0000

Another suggestion re practicing your smile: Know the smile you like and put it on regardless of what the photographer says or does. Beware of lame attempts by the photographer to get you to chuckle or laugh. I ended up with a less-then-acceptable smile (to my way of thinking) in the last Directory because the photographer was saying/doing some stupid things and you can see what I thought about that on my face! Ugh.

By: Tim Barger

Tim Barger — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:34:56 +0000

I remember that on school picture days the photographer would put me through strange contortions, and later I learned that it was to avoid the glare of my glasses with the photographer’s fixed lighting. Now I have anti-glare coating, which I recommend for any public speaker. It doesn’t eliminate all reflection but does help somewhat. There still might be contortion if lenses distort the eyes in relation to what’s outside of the glasses frame. Ask the photographer to take some “standard” shots without considering the glare, just in case the elements favor you that way.

By: Sally

Sally — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:41:10 +0000

Thank you for these great suggestions!!!

By: Allison

Allison — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:11:04 +0000

A couple of suggestions – my Mom, who was a professional photographer, brought out this oddly shaped thing on a stand and placed it next to me, where it cast a curved shadow on head. My husband asked what it was for. Mom wouldnn’t say, but I could tell. I told him, it’s to give me a chin. I don’t know what it’s called, but believe me, it helped. With lighting alone, photographers can take years off your age and pounds off your face.

Second suggestion: Double-sided tape can ensure that lapels don’t flip up, that cuffs, if visible, don’t curl, and that pockets lie flat. You can tape quarters to hems or to anything else that you would otherwise be tugging on to ensure it lies properly. If you need to use a safety pin or a large paper clip to ensure a scarf hangs properly, who will know or care? Glorify God, who has made you in the Divine image, by displaying that image at its best!

By: Diane Miller

Diane Miller — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:47:17 +0000

These are great suggestions! I speak as the daughter of a photographer. But is there anything that can be done with the church directory companies that don't make everyone look somehow, like overly earnest yet dull "church people"? I think those blue sky with clouds backdrops are part of the problem, but it is the lighting too. [I don't know, but it's a great question. I think what I'll do is keep looking at lots of church directories wherever I go, and when I find one that doesn't look cheezy I'll jot down the name of the company. I suppose we could also ask various companies if they offer any variety of style for their photo directories and see if they'll send out a brochure that shows some of the options. My sense is that unless we ask, they ain't gonna change! - PB]