It's established that how we respond to our past experiences shapes our world view, which informs our perspective on different things. We then create short cuts and categories on what we have experienced and inevitably put other people into boxes.
So conversely, in order to fit in to the corporate world, I put myself into the box of being a Business Psychologist and a DE&I specialist. From the perspective of work, one can see how these two things are connected, it’s easy for people and for a potential employer to digest.
I think it’s time to break out of my box and burst my cage into pieces. I am also unashamedly, a visual artist, my medium is photography and mixed media, and one of my photographs, a portrait titled "Cold Fire" has been selected for the National Portrait Gallery’s Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize exhibition, 2024. The competition was fierce. 4,847 images were submitted globally, 4 were shortlisted, (https://tinyurl.com/3rasj5), and overall 62 portraits were selected to be exhibited at the NPG from November 2024-February 2025. I feel very fortunate to have been selected as part of the 62, and I believe it’s an achievement worth sharing.
Over the coming weeks, I’m going to explore and re-write my narrative and articulate how my diverse specialisms intersect, adding value to each other, giving me my unique perspective of how I contribute, how I see and will be in the world. It’s important to emphasise that it's at the intersection of different domains, that’s where we raise the game. Ask Leonardo, the original renaissance man!
For example, today I'd like to talk about how I consciously integrate psychological techniques into the process of taking a photographic portrait, which significantly adds depth and enhances the quality of a portrait. Here’s are some methods I consciously use that combine principles from psychology with my photography practice:
1. Building Rapport – It’s critical to establish a comfortable and trusting relationship with the subject. Some Techniques,
Active Listening: Before the session, I engage in conversation with the subject asking open-ended questions about their interests, experiences, and preferences. I listen attentively and am genuinely interested.
Mirroring: Subtly mirror the subject’s body language and tone. This can create a subconscious connection and make them feel more at ease.
2. Creating a Comfortable Environment – aiming to reduce anxiety and make the subject feel at ease.
Setting the Scene: I ensure the environment is comfortable, with appropriate lighting, temperature, and minimal distractions. A relaxed setting can significantly reduce any potential stress.
Personal Space: I respect the subject’s personal space and give them room to move and express themselves naturally.
3. Understanding Psychological States – to enable the capture of genuine emotions and expressions.
Emotional Recall: I encourage the subject to recall positive or challenging memories or experiences. This can evoke genuine smiles and gritty expressions.
Visualisation: I ask the subject to visualise different scenarios, sometimes to see themselves in a place where they feel happy and relaxed. This can help in achieving a natural and authentic expressions.
4. Positive Reinforcement – to boost the subject’s confidence and self-esteem.
Compliments and Encouragement: I offer sincere compliments and positive feedback during the session highlighting their best features and successful shots.
Empowerment: I give the subject the opportunity to take some control over the session, allowing them to suggest poses or ideas for the shots.
5. Using Body Language – to Guide the subject into natural and flattering poses.
Non-Verbal Cues: I use my body language to guide the subject. Demonstrate poses myself and use gentle gestures to adjust their positioning.
Comfort Poses: I often start with simple and comfortable poses. As the subject becomes more relaxed, I introduce more dynamic and creative poses.
6. Managing Stress and Anxiety – to alleviate any nervousness or self-consciousness.
Breathing Exercises: I encourage deep breathing exercises to calm nerves before and during the session.
Distraction: I sometimes engage the subject in light conversation or ask them to play their favourite music to distract from the camera and create a relaxed atmosphere.
7. Fostering Authenticity - to capture the subject’s true personality and essence.
Storytelling: I ask the subject to share stories or experiences that are meaningful to them. This can elicit genuine emotions and expressions.
Humour: I try to use humour to lighten the mood. Laughter can lead to more relaxed and natural expressions.
By incorporating these psychological techniques, I try to create a more meaningful and engaging experience for the subject, attempting to create portraits that truly capture their personality and essence.
Thank You, to the judges of the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2024 at the National Portrait Gallery for selecting “Cold Fire”. Achieving this significant milestone, has given me the confidence to professionally re-align and recognise it’s time to “Be Myself”.
Maybe the cynics will say, okay mate you got lucky one time. “Yes it’s a possibility, but I’m not sorry to say this is the second time I’ve been longlisted for the Taylor Wessing portrait prize, the first time was in 2018 for a portrait called “Olga”, (can be seen on my homepage).