Headshot Photography Mid Wales - Author Photoshoot Hay on Wye - Sophie Calon

Ladies, gentlemen, all you folks, let me introduce Sophie Calon, an exciting, honest author celebrating the upcoming release of her debut book, Long Going. I cannot imagine the excitement Sophie is experiencing in this incredible achievement of writing and publishing her memoir. But I can tell you how exciting it was to get to spend the afternoon with her capturing some impactful headshots during her author photoshoot in Hay on Wye.

Anyone who lives in mid Wales known the magic of Hay on Wye, the town of books. So what a perfect choice for Sophies author photoshoot! This place held lots of happy memories for Sophie as has visited this place many times throughout her life, another apt choice considering her books subject, a very raw story of her father and his struggles with alcoholism.

We met by the river, the trees shading us from the surprisingly bright spring sunshine. Before we began our author photoshoot in Hay on Wye we had ample chance to chat, about life, motherhood, career and everything in between. I love to connect with my clients especially during a headshot session. Because if we’re being honest, a headshot session can feel quite daunting, quiet exposing. It’s just you, nothing to hide behind with a camera pointed at you. But I always work to put my clients at ease from the get go so they can rest easy knowing the rest of the session will be just as casual and dare I say enjoyable!

During our consultation for Sophies author photoshoot in Hay on Wye we discussed the age old question, what should I wear? Thankfully Sophie already has a bit of signature look in her slight obsession with beautifully patterned jackets. I suggested she bring several as it would be easy to swap them out giving her lots of choices when it came to the final gallery of images. In the collection of jackets Sophie brought were some pieces which once belonged to her Grandmother. Further weaving familial connection into these images and adding an extra layer of connection.

The session itself was truly a breeze, we chatted easily throughout, with me giving occasional gentle instruction, where to turn your face, how to have your hands and demonstrating how to sit or stand. Nothing intimidating at all. Again another nerve wracking aspect of an author photoshoot is having no experience with having your photo being taken and perhaps worrying that you won’t know what to do during the session. But that’s fine, you’re not supposed to know what to! That’s my job and I’ve had the pleasure of directing people and session for many years now, you can put your trust in me.

In some ways the session felt too short as it was such a lovely way to spend the afternoon, connecting with a brilliant women in a beautiful setting! But at least there will always be these photos to remind us of the day. And I’m so happy to say Sophie was thrilled with the finished results and I’ve had lots of joy in seeing her photos pop up in all manor of places as she gets to promote her book and share her story.

A headshot session with me is more than just a quick snap, it’s a collaboration to create images that truly capture your essence and make an unforgettable first impression. See more.

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