Kids, you know how Auntie PeaceBang is always after you to have professional photos on hand? Well, Rev. Gidget knows I’m right and has been very intentional about working toward the image she wants to convey. Gidge is an introvert and doesn’t relax for the camera very easily, but who the heck DOES? Two years ago she and I talked about the outfit and hair and make-up for her professional headshot, and this was the result:
Reading the image, I see a warm, creative woman with a slightly pained look on her face (not her fault, just the way the lines have formed on her forehead), who seems a bit reserved — hiding a bit behind her specs, no? A perfectly fine and polished headshot, though. Certainly worlds better than many of the clergy head shots I see gracing church websites and posters.
This month, Gidget wanted to update her photos and sat for a session at Sears. They spent a half an hour with her and charged her $120. They did a bit of retouching (teeth whitened and lines touched up a bit), with this terrific result:
See how much more vibrant and confident she is here? The red makes a statement, while the pearls are classic. The suit is totally pro, her hair and make-up are fantastic, her eyeglasses funky (note how the slight upturn on the outer frame opens up her eyes and face), and best of all her eyes are sparkly and her smile is warm, open and genuine. Here’s a confident religious leader who looks equally prepared to talk to someone in her office for private pastoral counseling or to talk to a reporter on the nightly news.
Well done, Gidget!! Thanks for sharing!
spectacular! well done, rev. gidget. you look professional, warm, and like a woman who has embodied her faith and is ready to take on – and love – the world.
Go Gidget! Knock ’em alive!
I love everything and both, but to me the glasses make a big difference!
The second photo is polished and perfect. Good job!
Happy to share my photos, Peebs. AND to plug the good folks at Sears, who do a lot of professional portraits. If you need something good, really fast, and relatively inexpensive, they’re amazing. Prints take time, but they give you a CD as you walk out the door.
I also have warm memories of their big catalogues coming to our house growing up. My mom used to have me cut out pictures from the old ones to make up little families and stories when I would hang her because I was sooooo B O R E D I couldn’t staaaaand it…
I hope y’all figured out that I meant I would hang ON my mother, and not “hang” her. Ooops. GEEZ.
Wow – you look amazing!
Lovely! I’ve never worn earrings, but your portraits (both of them) give me pause. That little bit of jewelry really makes a difference. They sort of call attention to your face in a nice, understated way. It’s almost like they mirror the sparkle in your eyes. Really well done.
She looks 10 years younger, too! Well done!
So beautiful – inside and out!
I totally agree about the red and the smile etc but is anyone else a bit uncomfortable about the photoshopping? Personally, I wouldn’t want to look much different in real life than in a photo, but maybe it’s a bit of a cultural thing? It seems that boxtox and/or photoshop are a bit of a necessity for women of a certain age to look professional and appropriate (E.g. Sarah Palin – no way does she look like that at her age without some pretty serious help) but what about those of us facing aging without wanting to head down the surgical route? Is is okay to have wrinkles and show them? Can we be professional and appropriate?
The photo doesn’t look a lot different from the original – or me – on a good day :D. It does look a lot different from the one I took 2 years ago. And for that matter, seeing how good my skin and teeth *can* look, I am taking better care of both.
Great before and after and thank you so much for sharing. Really goes to show how a few small things (slightly different glasses, different lighting, a red shirt and a little touching up) can make a big difference! It’s in the details!