t’s Award Season, and
while I like movies, I’m
here mainly for fashion.
It’s captivating to see how the rich and famous decide to portray themselves. With unlimited funds, teams of hair and makeup artists, jewels on loan, and miles of tape and other tricks of the trade to ensure against wardrobe malfunctions, they slide out of limos and sashay down the red-carpet gauntlet of photographers. Some clearly are looking to make a best-dressed statement, while others have other intentions. There are glamorous looks and train wrecks, and I’m here for it all.
This year, how they represent is of particular interest because I’m preparing to have professional headshots done soon. It’s the first time I’ll be doing this in more than a decade, and there’s lots to consider and overthink.
I list all the facets of my personality that I want to express in these photographs. I’m creative but analytical. I’m serious but agile. I’m intelligent but not pedantic. I’m funny but not ridiculous. I’m experienced but not outdated. That’s a lot to capture in a single photograph.
I’ve begun to think about specific elements of my look, and all the options are mind-boggling.
I started with hair, which you all know (and Fleabag said it best): Hair. Is. Everything.
I love my naturally curly hair, but I feel more professional when I wear it straightened. Since these images should capture my imaginative side who creates and dreams as well as the side consultant side who addresses analytics and planning, I’m not sure what to do. The weather will also be a factor in this decision: If it’s humid, the straight hair just won’t work, and that will be cause for panic and a game-day decision, I’m sure.
Then there are the clothes. Am I a blazer person who is mature and polished? Or am I a motorcycle jacket person who is daring and modern? Statement earrings or classic studs? Animal print or solids? Does it matter what shoes I’m wearing (Answer: Of course it does). Do any of my clothes fit now (Answer: Not all of them).
The locations, too, speak to where I am in the world metaphorically and literally. I love my hometown of Chicago, so I hope we can capture some architectural highlights and urban charm without looking like a tourist wandering by the river.
We haven’t even addressed how I’m supposed to sit or stand or what my body is doing.
I’ve never known what to do with my hands and arms in photographs. My sister, Michelle, and I laugh about having a ‘robot appendage’ in family photos, where the arm that faces the camera is oddly stiff, straight, and awkward. This phenomenon also causes a tendon in our neck on that side to stick out, which is just as attractive as it sounds.
Now I have that to worry about.
Finally, there’s the smile to critique. I am blessed with a big smile and nice teeth, but when I grin broadly, my eyes squint closed. If I smile without showing my teeth, I can open my eyes wider, but I look vaguely judgy. OK, very judgy and even a little dubious.
In the end, I’m going to try to remember that while a picture says a thousand words, my work speaks for itself. Even the best photo is just a moment in time, nothing more.
As far as the headshots go, I will rely on my photographer (I’m lucky enough that my talented college friend, Jessica Kaplan, is a professional) to guide me through this process. At worst, I’ll be a squinting, frizzy-haired robot leaning awkwardly against a brick façade.
At best, I’ll have a good story to write and pictures to help me tell the tale.
I