Eliminate "power poses" from your vocabulary

During a recent inquiry call with an author, he shared that his book publisher suggested investing in photos for his upcoming book launch, including some book boudoir photos and portraits.

Sounds good to me.

"Are we looking only for promotional headshots, or are we thinking about adding some candid lifestyle shots as well?" I asked.

He replied, “They just want ‘power pose’ photos.”

Ugh, that phrase sounds like nails on a chalkboard to me.

Why?

Because it feels staged and fake.

In branding photography, our primary mission is to represent the authentic you. There's no room for disingenuous “power poses” that feel more like a performance than a portrayal of the real you.

Instead, the aim is to make you so comfortable in front of the camera that your natural expressions and body language shine through effortlessly.

My job as a photographer is to fine-tune those real moments, adjusting your posture and expressions to capture you at your best—but still the real you.

I refer to this process as contrived authenticity - while faking it for the camera, the genuine you still shines through.

Your true "power" lies not in putting on a show for the lens with contrived gestures, over-the-top looks on your face, or ridiculously staged scenarios that involve you stepping outside of yourself.

It comes from being comfortable and confident in how you present yourself. That's what resonates with your audience, what makes them connect with you and your story. And that inspires them to learn more about how you can help solve their problems.

So, let's forget about those "power poses."

Think about how you genuinely want to be seen by your audience, and how you can convey your strength and character through photos.

Now THAT’S powerful.