The power of the squinch

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Once upon a time, I used to do a lot more photo shoots. Then . . . well, things got a little more complicated (wonderfully so) with the advent of a baby now turned toddler. But this past weekend, I had the opportunity to photograph the lovely Amie, who wanted some updated head shots for her portfolio. Her friend Christina did her hair and also wanted some shots showcasing the awesome hair color she had done.

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If you’ve been around my blog for a long time, you may remember I took some pics of Amie a long time ago–like in 2011–you can click here to see those.

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Right before going over to her place on Saturday afternoon, I perused the internet for some inspiration. I’m so glad I did, because I came across this little video about the squinch.

Peter Hurley, portrait photographer extraordinaire, thank you.

Basically, the squinch saves the person in front of the camera from having a “deer in the headlights” look. It takes you from wide-eyed and awkward to confident and sexy-lookin’. It involves something headed towards a squint, but from the bottom up. You use the muscle right under your eye (instead of lowering your upper lid) to slightly narrow your eyes. And it works! I explained the squinch to Amie, and that is exactly what is going on in this picture . . .

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. . . and this one . . .

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. . . and this one.

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Plus, being a photogenically challenged person myself, I plan on squinching from here til the grave.

Anyway, the photo shoot was so much fun. I love the shot below–maybe not for a professional looking head shot because the composition is a little weird for that  (sorry Amie)–but just because the focus is so crisp and her expression is so calmly happy.

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And it was fun to showcase her hair!

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Also, I need to learn how to do a braid like that.

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It’s just so adorable.

Amie was such a pleasure to photograph. She’s beautiful, fun, lively–the whole package.

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I love my life, and I love my routine of going to work and taking care of Alice . . . but the creative side of me has been a little less central during the past year or so. So this felt like a breath of fresh air. I felt so alive after the whole thing, and I can’t wait for the next opportunity to come up.

8 thoughts on “The power of the squinch

  1. Amie Avi

    Jenna, you are awesome!!

    People, if you’re reading this, I’ve worked with a number of photographers, and Jenna is absolutely a DREAM to work with. (-: She’s a true artist and a beautiful person inside and out.

    …and for the record, she is most certainly NOT “photogenically-challenged”…

    Thanks again and cheers, Jenna!

    -A.

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