Body Language Breakdown #1 - Carlie
I thought I’d share some of the Body Language details in my portraits because understanding what we are really doing (and how) helps us communicate better - on camera and off.
This is Carlie. She’s the Director of a few different companies. And being the face of these businesses, she wanted a more direct, honest, authentic set of images with which to communicate her vision and value.
Carlie is a firecracker of a human. Bold, funny, irreverent, crazy smart, brutally honest… my kind of person in general. But there were some image hurdles that needed to be addressed with these portraits. Let’s face it… she’s really pretty. And being really pretty can obviously create some issues in business. Sure there are some considerable upsides… but there’s also a bunch of weird surface stuff to overcome. Things like not being taken seriously, undermined or underestimated. Not to mention all the insecurities coming back at you from both men and women.
The Brief
We wanted to capture all those attributes I listed above. And we wanted to communicate all that while presenting a very clear message that she doesn’t suffer any bullshit; and that you’d be foolish to take her lightly. Sprinkling tones of playfulness and her sharp, insightful thoughtfulness throughout.
We wanted to bring to the front the vast experience she has in life and business and portray attributes that go well below the surface level. Plus, it had been a while since she had any images done. We wanted to evoke all that while embracing this new version of herself and where she’s at in life… and where she’s headed.
Body Language Breakdown (2 Images)
SHOT #1
I love this shot. It’s so simple but it has tons of depth and nuance built in.
Arms and Shoulders
The right arm leaning on the box screams casual familiarity to me with hints of a no-nonsense, ‘let’s be real’ kind of approach. The soft wrist and loose hand suggests a degree of ease and familiarity.
The left arm bracing on her knee adds a forward lean which gives it a rather personal presence and a more 3D feel.
Most interestingly, that particular combination of arms is creating a distinct open/closed or what I call “push/ pull” contrast. It’s a little deceiving because at first impression it feels like quite an open posture; but it’s also quite protected because it pushes her shoulder up and creates a slight barrier between the subject and viewer. I love that contrast because that’s one of the things that makes it feel so authentic and honest.
Head Tilt / Expression / Eye Contact
I personally feel this particular shot leaves itself wide open to interpretation; which can be pretty powerful when used in certain ways.
I find a whole lot of different shades here… a touch of empathy… mixed with a touch of incredulousness which is well balanced with sufficient humour to not become overbearing or judge-y… a distinct “knowing” possibly from a place of “we’ve both been here before, haven’t we?”... some genuine care… and then back to the humour.
Along with the powerful eye contact, the entire frame has an air of effortlessness - which is always one of the goals in every shot.
Warmth/ Coolness
I give this one 6 on the warmth scale which is just inside the warm end. This expression is a real character and makes you dance with it a bit more. There’s a great energy with a touch of playful tension.
SHOT #2
Arms and Legs
Again, effortless… Legs crossed/ feet on the couch certainly suggests a very familiar, comfortable level of familiarity and ease.
Elbows on knees for further emphasis of presence, ease and comfort.
The whole shape creating a nice, subtle triangle which is just generally pleasing to the eye
Expression
Somewhat cheeky (but knowing) grin with great eye contact.
Interest. Warmth. Certainty. Experience. A little playfulness.
I give it an 7 on the warmth scale
The couch feels like it’s her sandbox and her expression just invites you right over… if you're ready. I love that about this one.
Overall Impression of the Set
I think we made a really great range of expression that Carlie will use to authentically communicate with various audiences across multiple industries.
Post Script
The thing to remember is that no one expresses themselves the same. Everyone shows up a bit differently. It could be as simple as pure physiology… wearing their stresses differently… length of arms and legs... an old injury creating certain physical habits or limitations. The clothes you are wearing at a given moment will even dictate how we physicalise our expression.
So there’s no way to just use the same poses and postures over and over again. There are basic frames or structures we go start with over and over again. But how each one of us embodies those frames means they have to be uncovered for each individual. Like a body language ‘fingerprint’ specific just to you.