Latest / The Sharon Francisco Show / Shae Giles Bruton — The Power of Being Seen: Why Authenticity Builds Trust

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Shae Giles Bruton — The Power of Being Seen: Why Authenticity Builds Trust · The Sharon Francisco Show

• 0:02
  SPEAKER_02: Shay Bruton.
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_02: I'm so excited for this conversation today on the Sharon Francisco show.
• 0:08
  SPEAKER_02: Shea Bruton is a creative force behind the Shay style photography.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_02: With almost 30 years of experience, Shay's helped business owners bring their brands to life through authentic personality-filled imagery.
• 0:21
  SPEAKER_02: Woohoo! Combining combining photography, creative direction, hair and makeup.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_02: She has a remarkable talent for making people, and I can guarantee this, making people feel very comfortable, confident, and completely themselves in front of the camera.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_02: Shay Bruton, welcome to the Sharon Francisco show.
• 0:41
  SPEAKER_01: Well, thank you, Shaz.
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_01: Anyone can make you comfortable in front of a camera.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_01: You should have been on a stage, woman.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_02: I love it.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_02: I love it.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_02: I'm I'm a bundle full of nervous energy when I'm with you.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_02: I can tell you.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_02: I love how many photo shoots have we had together?
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_01: I think it's it.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_01: We did our fourth just recently.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_01: So good seeing you evolve.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_01: I love it.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_01: And I love your ideas and coming up with new stuff each time.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_01: It's it's unreal.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_02: I'm just gonna go off script straight away, Shay.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_02: I'm just like, you know, there's something about a photo shoot, right?
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_02: There's something about that, I don't know, there's all this nervous energy, and I do have a lot of questions behind that, but you have a remarkable way of connecting to make people feel really comfortable.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_02: What is that X factor?
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_01: Oh, it's definitely intuition and being able to read people.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_01: I definitely from a young age, I'd sort of be able to walk into a room and I could just feel each person's energy.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_01: And I suppose being a photographer, unless you can tap into that energy and get on well with that person, you're not going to break down that wall.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_01: Um, so I think that's definitely what's come in really handy.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_01: I didn't even realize that was why my work is popular.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_01: But yeah, and through chatting with you, I realize it's not just about making people look good, it's about making them feel comfortable and not frightened in front of the camera.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_02: So there's a whole that's and you you do have an X factor, Shay.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_02: Like when we connect, there is something that you bring out in the energy in the room.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_02: I can't describe it, but it's so true.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_02: And and and it essentially what that does is bring the best out in me.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_02: And of course, when you're when you're getting photo shoots, you want people to see the real you, right?
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_02: And when that authenticity is like something that you value, I really value that because it's hard to be you.
• 2:35
  SPEAKER_02: So like I remember asking Jane Anderson one time, it's like, how are why is it so hard to be me?
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_02: I just like you know, when they say, I'll just be you, it's like, oh, it's so and that in a photo shoot, it brings up like all of these feelings of like, am I good enough?
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_02: Am I pretty enough?
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_02: Am I thin enough?
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_02: Am I like all that stuff?
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_02: And you're able to kind of I don't know, you're able to kind of iron it all out and make it into something that feels really authentic and real and actually blooming fun.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_02: I I I think it's fun to have the photo shoots with you.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_02: So it is a yeah.
• 3:10
  SPEAKER_02: What is going on there with all of that, and us women especially obviously you photograph men and women, but I specifically because I work mostly with women, and as you know, my goal is to help as many women in finance and business become financially independent so they can make their own decisions with what whatever they want to do in their life.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_02: And obviously, the one of the biggest parts of that is the website, the socials, the the things that people see of you day to day.
• 3:37
  SPEAKER_02: What's going on there?
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_02: What are we what are we thinking?
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_02: Why are we so caught up in our own looks and the things that you're able to just naturally dissipate in a photo shoot?
• 3:47
  SPEAKER_02: What's going on with our thoughts there?
• 3:50
  SPEAKER_01: Oh mate, it's our society.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_01: That's that's honestly the simplest answer.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_01: And it's not even just Western society.
• 3:57
  SPEAKER_01: You look at even Kenya and whatnot, where the women put the big rings on their neck to get a longer neck, or you look at Korea and whatnot, whether they're cutting their legs and putting in extenders to be taller.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_01: And from a young age and magazines and Hollywood, we're just showing that this is the way you're supposed to look, or this is the size you're supposed to be.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_01: And it just breeds insecurity.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_01: And I don't care what person you are.
• 4:21
  SPEAKER_01: In fact, the more attractive I find a client is, the more insecure they are, or the more they want more.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_01: And um, unfortunately, we're just exposed to it every day, and it's really frustrating.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_01: And that's why I got into my work because I used to watch, you remember the old Oprah Winfrey before and after?
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_01: I loved it.
• 4:39
  SPEAKER_01: I loved it.
• 4:39
  SPEAKER_01: And I love seeing how people would just feel amazing and come to tears.
• 4:44
  SPEAKER_01: And I thought, right, I'm gonna do that because I want those ladies to realise they too can be beautiful.
• 4:50
  SPEAKER_01: But that's where it comes from, mate.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_01: And unfortunately, I don't know if you'd ever change it, but with a photo shoot, the good thing is it's not about being beautiful, it's about showing who you are authentically, so your audience can relate to you.
• 5:05
  SPEAKER_01: But of course, unless you're an actor, you don't know how to be in front of a camera naturally, and people just get like a deer in the headlights.
• 5:12
  SPEAKER_01: So you really need someone that you resonate with and can get on well with so that when you're chatting and bantering, the camera can be clicking and getting those natural moments.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_01: So that really is the key.
• 5:24
  SPEAKER_01: But those insecurities, yeah, thank goodness for Photoshop, or I'd be out of work.
• 5:31
  SPEAKER_02: But let's talk about let's talk about that because you know there's this authenticity that we talk about in the natural photo shoot and things like that, and how to bring out our natural who we are, but then I know, like I'm I'm the first to say at the end of the photo, well, can we get rid of that little roll there or this or that or whatever?
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_01: I know, I know.
• 5:53
  SPEAKER_02: And I'm I'm guessing I'm not the only one with photo shoots that's asking that.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_02: So what's the balance?
• 5:59
  SPEAKER_02: I know these are really, I guess, psychological sort of questions, and it's way beyond just photo shoots.
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_02: I know for me, um, I have a with my clients, I get them to send a coaching sheet with the one-on-one clients, I get them to send a coaching sheet through 24 to 48 hours before the session so I can prepare.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_02: And my preparation is not sitting down reading their coaching sheet and thinking, oh, how will I coach that?
• 6:24
  SPEAKER_02: I read their coaching sheet and I'll take the dog for a walk and I'll have a shower or whatever.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_02: And in my head, I'm thinking, I don't know what it is, Shay.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_02: I I can't since I've allowed myself there a few years ago.
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_02: I um I made a decision to allow my natural kind of thoughts to come through and to trust that.
• 6:46
  SPEAKER_02: And that took a lot of conviction for me to do that.
• 6:49
  SPEAKER_02: And since I've done that, I believe I'm a better coach now because I'm able to coach from a feeling and uh a way that kind of hits deep into where the real problem is.
• 7:02
  SPEAKER_02: And I reckon you do the same thing.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_01: Well, thank you.
• 7:05
  SPEAKER_01: So I definitely what you're getting at is just it honestly is a gift, it really is.
• 7:10
  SPEAKER_01: And when you were saying before, where does that come from or what is that?
• 7:13
  SPEAKER_01: I think you called it the X Factor.
• 7:15
  SPEAKER_01: It's the same as uh when you've got musicians and whatnot writing lyrics, or when they're um performing and they just go into this other place.
• 7:24
  SPEAKER_01: I think when you've got a gift and you tap into it, it genuinely does take you to another place.
• 7:30
  SPEAKER_01: And the best way I can explain that is sometimes I'll be going to a shoot and I have a chronic migraine, or I have chronic anxiety, or whatnot.
• 7:39
  SPEAKER_01: And the minute I get there and I get behind that camera, something takes over.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_01: And the ideas just come from I don't know where, but I'm really glad they do.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_01: And um, it's like you're in you just got this tunnel vision and time just, I don't know, I can't explain it.
• 7:59
  SPEAKER_01: It's just phenomenal.
• 8:00
  SPEAKER_01: You don't feel any pain, you don't feel anything.
• 8:03
  SPEAKER_01: And I think as you're saying as well, it's quite an intuitive experience.
• 8:08
  SPEAKER_01: So when you're doing your coaching, if you're trying to read it and intellectualize it, um, I mean, you can do that, I suppose, but if you've got a gift or if you've got the intuition, which a lot of women do, it will just come to you naturally.
• 8:22
  SPEAKER_01: And as you say, by going for a walk and whatnot, allows those doors to open and and you can have that come through.
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that natural kind of um, I guess it's yeah, it's a gift, isn't it?
• 8:33
  SPEAKER_02: It's a natural kind of understanding of what's needed in that moment.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_01: And I think too, aside from getting too sort of spiritual whatnot for your audience who aren't that way inclined, I think you and I have been doing this in our field for a long time as well.
• 8:47
  SPEAKER_01: So there's a lot of um time in seat and experience as well.
• 8:52
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but again, I know what you mean.
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_01: You just feel it coming from another place.
• 8:56
  SPEAKER_02: So yeah, we're blessed to have both.
• 8:59
  SPEAKER_02: That's it.
• 9:00
  SPEAKER_02: That's it.
• 9:01
  SPEAKER_02: So I guess the million-dollar question, Shay, is what's what's happening with your industry, as with a many, many industries around AI?
• 9:10
  SPEAKER_02: What's your thoughts on that?
• 9:11
  SPEAKER_02: And where do you think your industry's going around this?
• 9:15
  SPEAKER_01: So it's so funny that you asked this because when you originally asked for the podcast, I was in that place of oh no, AI is taking over the world and it's just gonna you upload a selfie and you can do a shoot and blah, blah, blah.
• 9:28
  SPEAKER_01: And I was really freaking out, not knowing, as many industries were, you know, are we gonna be extinct?
• 9:34
  SPEAKER_01: But um, now that I've sat back and I've been watching it and seeing my inquiries coming in, I'm actually getting more inquiries.
• 9:42
  SPEAKER_01: That right.
• 9:43
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, people aren't knowing what, excuse me, is or isn't real.
• 9:47
  SPEAKER_01: So that's demanding more reason for authenticity.
• 9:50
  SPEAKER_01: So people are really like, hey, come and capture me doing this or come and you can see what is AI and what isn't.
• 9:57
  SPEAKER_01: Maybe in the future you won't be able to, but I think everyone agrees, or at least at our age group, it's a bit of a lie, right?
• 10:05
  SPEAKER_01: It's just a bit of this is who I want to be.
• 10:07
  SPEAKER_01: But people who are going to invest money in your service, they want to know who you are, who is your business, where is my money going?
• 10:16
  SPEAKER_01: So I think trust, it's actually making trust more valuable.
• 10:20
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 10:20
  SPEAKER_02: Interesting.
• 10:22
  SPEAKER_02: So yeah, so you don't see it in the short term as too much of a threat for you.
• 10:28
  SPEAKER_01: Nah, not at all.
• 10:29
  SPEAKER_01: And so I think they'll always bid horses for courses.
• 10:32
  SPEAKER_01: I think there's people who may love the IT world and digitizing, but I think people are so busy in their own industry working in their own business, they don't have time to go, oh, okay, AI, I want a photo standing here wearing this outfit.
• 10:46
  SPEAKER_01: And a lot of people don't know how to creatively put that together.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_01: So it's not just about having a photo taken, it's about getting your hair done, your makeup done, your expression, showing your workplace, showing you engaging with clients.
• 10:58
  SPEAKER_01: There's a whole lot more to it than just a headshot.
• 11:00
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, absolutely.
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_02: Absolutely.
• 11:04
  SPEAKER_02: And I I actually see our photo shoots as like a it's like an indulgence.
• 11:09
  SPEAKER_02: It is, yeah.
• 11:10
  SPEAKER_02: I I I don't know if other people would go to all the levels I do, but I I book in to get the hair done.
• 11:19
  SPEAKER_02: I go and like I'll go shopping for a couple of different shopping trips and buy the dresses.
• 11:25
  SPEAKER_02: And I know the fabulous thing about you is, and you're so darn honest.
• 11:29
  SPEAKER_02: I love your honesty because I'm a bit rough and ready with head, like, and you go, I love this about you because I'll come with all my doodads and my earrings and this.
• 11:38
  SPEAKER_02: You know what you're gonna say.
• 11:41
  SPEAKER_02: No, she has not that one today.
• 11:43
  SPEAKER_02: You could set that on and say, Oh, I just wouldn't spend a whole bunch of money on that, but that's okay.
• 11:47
  SPEAKER_02: Queen, you know, and that's what I mean about that intuition side.
• 11:51
  SPEAKER_02: Like you have this sense of what looks good and what doesn't.
• 11:55
  SPEAKER_02: But the lead up for me and that whole thing, because you do makeup, you do the hair, you make sure the hair looks good, you've got this kind of um service that allows us to be as much us as we can be.
• 12:08
  SPEAKER_02: But the lead up to that for me is really exciting.
• 12:10
  SPEAKER_02: And I see the time because we generally hang out for a little nearly a full day when we catch up, half day, full day.
• 12:17
  SPEAKER_02: And that time to me is kind of like a precious time that I kind of I guess get to know me a little bit more through that time as well.
• 12:26
  SPEAKER_02: It's like you sort of say, no, no, that that looks good.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_02: Walk down there, and I'm like, oh, I'm feeling sassy.
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_02: And you go, Oh, remember the first time we did that photo shoot?
• 12:34
  SPEAKER_02: No, you said walk.
• 12:36
  SPEAKER_00: And you're using the same arm and the same leg.
• 12:40
  SPEAKER_02: You're like, I need to walk like that.
• 12:42
  SPEAKER_02: She's not like, I don't know, I feel like I needed to be on the catwalk or something.
• 12:45
  SPEAKER_02: It's just like it's such a fun, it's such a fun experience.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_02: It is after it, it's not, it's I don't know, I don't know how to explain it working with you, Shay, but it's not just a photo shoot.
• 12:57
  SPEAKER_02: I come away from that feeling filled up with our conversations.
• 13:00
  SPEAKER_02: Like you're putting on my makeup and we're talking about all these.
• 13:03
  SPEAKER_02: I'm not gonna go into the conversations we have, but they're fun and they're they're probably a little bit left of center, which makes it like, oh, I'm normal to feel you really normalize the the fear, the overwhelm, the am I good enough?
• 13:18
  SPEAKER_02: Do I look good enough?
• 13:20
  SPEAKER_02: All of the stuff that I know that us girls think, you're able to make that experience.
• 13:25
  SPEAKER_02: So, because I know there's a lot of people out there that would think, oh, photo shoot, like, oh, like I'm too wrinkly, I'm too this, I'm too that, I'm too like, and to go through that experience, you actually feel better at the end of it, which is that's a big surprise for me, Shay.
• 13:42
  SPEAKER_01: I know, and it's so funny that you say that.
• 13:44
  SPEAKER_01: And I'm so glad that you brought that up because honestly, after 90% of shoots, all of my clients are just like, oh wow, I feel now I understand what my brand is, or now I'm like, oh, I know who I am, not just who the business is, but who I am relative to the business.
• 14:05
  SPEAKER_01: And obviously, as a business owner, you're you're an integral, whatever the word is, part of that.
• 14:11
  SPEAKER_01: And a lot of women are just like don't care about their image or whatnot.
• 14:15
  SPEAKER_01: They're so invested in the business, which is awesome.
• 14:18
  SPEAKER_01: And you don't have to have this wonderful image, but you do have to have some sort of presence to show, especially online, because people are going to want to work with you and they're going to judge you by the not your your looks, by your energy in the photo, your professional presentation and whatnot, to know if they want to invest in you and they want to work with you.
• 14:38
  SPEAKER_01: And so, as you say, it's a really fun day and it gives you that confidence to go, okay.
• 14:44
  SPEAKER_01: So, yeah, this is me.
• 14:46
  SPEAKER_01: I can't explain it.
• 14:47
  SPEAKER_01: It's kind of like if you put yourself in a movie, it's like watching yourself in a movie and just seeing who you are and getting more clarity around that.
• 14:57
  SPEAKER_01: And it actually breeds confidence.
• 14:59
  SPEAKER_01: And then they'll say, like you said, oh, this outfit actually looks great, and that outfit looks great.
• 15:04
  SPEAKER_01: And I can see the pep in their step.
• 15:06
  SPEAKER_01: Then they go into work and they're wearing this, and oh yeah, I've got a photo in that.
• 15:09
  SPEAKER_01: And excuse me, I think it's that last missing piece that just brings it all together, yeah, which is what branding is, really.
• 15:17
  SPEAKER_02: So it's really interesting.
• 15:19
  SPEAKER_02: So I know for me, before I had my first photo shoot ever, which I've only ever had photo shoots with you, and that's never changing.
• 15:26
  SPEAKER_02: I feel that uh it's just a photo shoot, and I'm gonna get photos for my website and whatever.
• 15:32
  SPEAKER_02: And then so when we think about the things that it actually is, it's like we understand through the process, yes, we get the photos and we're able to use those for socials and websites and stuff.
• 15:40
  SPEAKER_02: But then we also get to understand who we are more through that process of, you know, as we buy the clothes and as we if you if you want to buy the clothes, you can go to an op shop, or it doesn't have to be expensive for you if you don't want it to be.
• 15:53
  SPEAKER_02: I just make it expensive for me because I have fun.
• 15:56
  SPEAKER_00: And a lot of people keep the tags on it, return the clay as later.
• 16:00
  unknown: There you go.
• 16:02
  SPEAKER_02: So, yeah, that's a good little tip for those out there that want, but it's not just the photo shoot, it's the who I feel like I am, the authenticity around the my personal brand of what I'm putting out to the world and understanding and kind of shaking hands with, you know, it's I'm okay.
• 16:18
  SPEAKER_02: I'm okay with who I am.
• 16:20
  SPEAKER_02: And that's definitely something you bring out.
• 16:22
  SPEAKER_02: That that feeling of who you are, Cesar, is fine.
• 16:26
  SPEAKER_02: Like, you know, yes, we've got the makeup and we've got the hair and we've got the clothes and everything, but who you are and that energy that's coming out, that's what I see you bring out in me.
• 16:34
  SPEAKER_02: And the fun that we have, the the feeling of an understanding of our personal brand that becomes more clear.
• 16:42
  SPEAKER_02: So it's not just a photo shoot.
• 16:43
  SPEAKER_02: You walk away from that day feeling, I don't know, like more clarity.
• 16:49
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, clarity and energy.
• 16:51
  SPEAKER_02: And like I'm I'm right for the next six or 12 months with this because now I've had that kind of experience.
• 16:56
  SPEAKER_02: It feels I didn't expect that.
• 16:59
  SPEAKER_02: I didn't expect to have that feeling of more clarity and understanding about my brand and what I'm putting out to the world because you kind of doing that forces you to face it and go, what is it that I'm doing here?
• 17:14
  SPEAKER_02: What is it that I'm representing?
• 17:16
  SPEAKER_02: And it's obviously myself, but a more um it's a it's a photo version of that.
• 17:22
  SPEAKER_02: So it brings your brand to life.
• 17:25
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, because a lot of people have confidence in their business, but they don't have confidence in themselves, and that ties it together.
• 17:32
  SPEAKER_01: What I was gonna just touch on there too was the the only reason I ever really got into the hair and the makeup was because in 2001, when I started my business, I had a shop front in Malulabar and I had makeup artists coming in to do the makeups for ladies, and I'd just be sitting there thinking, she made her look like a bloody drag queen.
• 17:51
  SPEAKER_01: Or I'd be like, Why have you done that colour lip?
• 17:55
  SPEAKER_01: Can't you see she's a girl next door and you're making her like pink the rock star?
• 17:59
  SPEAKER_01: And I'm thinking it's not tying in.
• 18:01
  SPEAKER_01: So the reason I did the makeup was because I'm trying to make it match the person's character and who they are.
• 18:09
  SPEAKER_01: But what I have found is that that hour of doing the makeup and hair, I really get to chat to the person, find out about the person, and then I get to feel okay, how they would like to be in front of the camera, as in, you know, are they an extrovert, are they an introvert, and try and tap into that to make them feel comfortable.
• 18:27
  SPEAKER_01: But the hair and makeup isn't necessarily about making you all look someone you're not, because that defeats being authentic to your brand.
• 18:34
  SPEAKER_01: The biggest key is not going over the top, and especially more mature women, less is more with the makeup, right?
• 18:41
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 18:42
  SPEAKER_01: Um, so I just wanted to say that it that hour I get is an advantage, I suppose, over other photographers because I'm with them on the day, giving them reassurance, giving them peace of mind, having a laugh, talking about all things, perimenopause or dating or divorce or weight gain or whatever, you know.
• 19:00
  SPEAKER_01: And we all share the same thing.
• 19:03
  SPEAKER_01: We're all really similar.
• 19:04
  SPEAKER_01: We put up this great facade of I've got it all together, especially in the photos I take of everyone.
• 19:10
  SPEAKER_01: But behind it, it's like, oh man, I've been sweating so much more or not sleeping or, you know, and it just normalizes it for everyone.
• 19:18
  SPEAKER_01: But unfortunately, social media is a showreel and we don't see that side, which I wish we did.
• 19:24
  SPEAKER_01: Yes.
• 19:24
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but you don't.
• 19:25
  SPEAKER_01: So sorry, I just wanted to touch on that.
• 19:27
  SPEAKER_01: I've probably gone off tangent.
• 19:29
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, no, no.
• 19:30
  SPEAKER_02: And it's important because I think these are the sort of things that go through people's minds before they make a decision to go for a photo shoot.
• 19:37
  SPEAKER_02: And I think ultimately a lot of people make the decision not to go ahead and get it done because it's like, oh, that's too polarizing, it feels too much, or it feels like that's not for me.
• 19:47
  SPEAKER_02: And I don't what what am I gonna wear?
• 19:49
  SPEAKER_02: What makeup am I?
• 19:50
  SPEAKER_02: And it just I guess normalizes it.
• 19:53
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that's right.
• 19:54
  SPEAKER_02: It's overwhelming.
• 19:55
  SPEAKER_02: And I think a lot of the times, unfortunately, people make the decision not to get the photo shoot because they think, oh, it's like, you know, when I talk about doing a video and putting it on social media, it all sounds like wonderful until you go to turn on the video and make it and you go, oh, really?
• 20:12
  SPEAKER_02: What am I gonna say?
• 20:13
  SPEAKER_02: All of a sudden we don't have a voice, or we feel like, oh, you know, I know from a young age, I don't know about you, from a young age, you remember when we used to have to press to record and play to record?
• 20:24
  SPEAKER_02: And I remember I seriously remember the first time I did it and I listened back and I thought, oh, that's that's not me.
• 20:31
  SPEAKER_02: Who's that?
• 20:32
  SPEAKER_02: Your voice, yeah.
• 20:33
  SPEAKER_02: I remember thinking I sound like a man.
• 20:35
  SPEAKER_02: Like, no, like what's that?
• 20:37
  SPEAKER_02: And then I realized, oh, that's me.
• 20:39
  SPEAKER_02: That's me.
• 20:40
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it's video and scarier.
• 20:42
  SPEAKER_01: And now watch as we're extroverts.
• 20:45
  SPEAKER_01: And if we get staged right in front of a video or camera, how do you reckon the rest of the people are, especially in your industry where it's all what you're left brain, right brain, whatever?
• 20:57
  SPEAKER_01: I'm what is it?
• 20:58
  SPEAKER_02: What is your right brain is the creative, left brain is the detailed oriented, yeah.
• 21:03
  SPEAKER_02: That's it.
• 21:04
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so people are just there.
• 21:05
  SPEAKER_01: It's like you honestly, it's like you're standing there with a shotgun in front of them and they're like ready to be shot.
• 21:11
  SPEAKER_01: It's it's for some people is petrifying, yes.
• 21:15
  SPEAKER_02: And and and as you've said, we get petrified.
• 21:18
  SPEAKER_02: So let alone people that tend to be left brain thinkers sitting behind computers, not not even really wanting to do any of this.
• 21:24
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, you and I are like, well, that could be the fun.
• 21:30
  SPEAKER_02: Some people are like, yeah, no, not in a million years.
• 21:33
  SPEAKER_02: And you know, I I say to a lot of my clients, you don't want to become the best kept secret, because the best kept secret sits behind a computer and does reconciliations and bookkeeping and and accounting.
• 21:43
  SPEAKER_02: And not if you don't know about that person, how can you find them?
• 21:47
  SPEAKER_01: How can you find exactly exactly and the thing and the thing is too, with the scrolls or social media scrolls or with websites, if you don't have the photos of you or your Office, or if you don't have an office, we could hire an office, or we could just skip an office and zoom in on you doing a Zoom or whatever.
• 22:06
  SPEAKER_01: If you're not showcasing that and storytelling that through your socials, you're just another business online that has no personality.
• 22:15
  SPEAKER_01: It's just words, it's just cut colors.
• 22:17
  SPEAKER_01: And I'm not even plugging photography here at all.
• 22:20
  SPEAKER_01: I'm just saying, what is it that personalizes a web, someone's website or social media?
• 22:26
  SPEAKER_01: It's the person behind the business.
• 22:28
  SPEAKER_01: It honestly is.
• 22:29
  SPEAKER_01: And nowadays, you wouldn't even know if that was AI or a fake website or whatnot unless you had these photos.
• 22:36
  SPEAKER_01: And then they can um authenticate it by going to LinkedIn or whatnot and saying, okay, this is a real business.
• 22:41
  SPEAKER_01: But I definitely understand the fear.
• 22:44
  SPEAKER_01: I really, really do.
• 22:46
  SPEAKER_02: It's so true.
• 22:47
  SPEAKER_02: I was trying to find yesterday, there's uh we're building a house at the moment, and I want the product.
• 22:52
  SPEAKER_02: I don't know if you've heard about it on the shower screen that you can put on and it just beads off and you don't have to squidge your all Rain X.
• 22:59
  SPEAKER_02: Is it Rain X?
• 23:00
  SPEAKER_02: Well Rain X.
• 23:01
  SPEAKER_02: I did, I hadn't heard that brand, but I was Googled.
• 23:04
  SPEAKER_02: I did that too.
• 23:05
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 23:05
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 23:06
  SPEAKER_02: I was and I Googled it and I'm like, okay.
• 23:09
  SPEAKER_02: And I saw this one, there wasn't very many good reviews.
• 23:12
  SPEAKER_02: So I really wanted it done.
• 23:14
  SPEAKER_02: So I rang him and he used anyway.
• 23:17
  SPEAKER_02: Long story short, we're talking, and I said, So I'm not sold on your product because your reviews aren't well, aren't good.
• 23:24
  SPEAKER_02: Tell me, bring it to life.
• 23:26
  SPEAKER_02: Why would I want to buy from you?
• 23:27
  SPEAKER_02: And he said, Oh, look, if you go onto my social Facebook page, my socials, we just did a job at the um Star Casino in Brisbane, and we went out and they wanted us to do one panel to check it out.
• 23:37
  SPEAKER_02: And then we did like the whole lot.
• 23:38
  SPEAKER_02: If you have a look at the panels, I I spoke with him, I got to understand him, I got to understand who he was.
• 23:43
  SPEAKER_02: I looked on his socials, all his before and after pictures.
• 23:46
  SPEAKER_02: I was sold by the end of that.
• 23:48
  SPEAKER_02: So I got to know, but when I it was him that I spoke to that I got to know, like that was the exact feeling I got to understand who he was.
• 23:55
  SPEAKER_02: And the trust, the trust was there.
• 23:58
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, because we work hard to earn our money, and you want to spend it wisely.
• 24:02
  SPEAKER_01: And there's so scam, so many scams out there that yeah, it's demand that's what I was saying before with AI, my worried.
• 24:09
  SPEAKER_01: No, because it's demanding more authenticity.
• 24:12
  SPEAKER_01: People are needing more trust, more faith, they're nervous.
• 24:15
  SPEAKER_02: And quite often I'll look on accountants and bookkeepers and business owners' websites, and what I look for is their photo or their team photo.
• 24:25
  SPEAKER_02: And I would say is 90%, 80% of um websites just don't have that.
• 24:31
  SPEAKER_02: They'll have um, you know, the stock photos, but not the real photos.
• 24:36
  SPEAKER_02: And I I don't know that the the trust thing is just not there when I'm not seeing the photos.
• 24:41
  SPEAKER_02: So I think it's important to have those on there and lots of them, like bringing that personal brand to to the front.
• 24:49
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 24:49
  SPEAKER_01: Don't even know if that needs to be lots and lots of photos, um, but definitely some that are definitely, you know, enough enough to tell a story so that you're not forgotten about who you actually are.
• 25:01
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 25:02
  SPEAKER_01: Because people will more often remember you and your name rather than your business.
• 25:05
  SPEAKER_01: What was I gonna say?
• 25:06
  SPEAKER_01: But the other thing, oh that's just gone.
• 25:10
  SPEAKER_01: What we're talking about.
• 25:11
  SPEAKER_01: I was thinking about too many things at once.
• 25:13
  SPEAKER_02: That's it'll come back because I think you're right, it's really bringing forward the um the person.
• 25:20
  SPEAKER_01: Oh, sorry to cut you off.
• 25:21
  SPEAKER_01: That's what I was gonna say.
• 25:22
  SPEAKER_01: Um, something is as like LinkedIn is really important too, because that shows you are a real person and you can tie in the photos and whatnot.
• 25:31
  SPEAKER_01: So I think that would be a bit trickier to try and fake in LinkedIn.
• 25:35
  SPEAKER_01: I don't know, I haven't looked into it enough.
• 25:38
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, so it's it's really making it come to life with the, I guess, the trust factor when you're seeing those pictures.
• 25:45
  SPEAKER_02: So, uh, what's one simple posing tip that instantly makes people feel more confident on camera?
• 25:52
  SPEAKER_02: Do you reckon?
• 25:53
  SPEAKER_01: You know what I'm gonna say, don't you?
• 25:54
  SPEAKER_01: What are you gonna say?
• 25:55
  SPEAKER_01: You know, what is it?
• 25:56
  SPEAKER_01: It's all about the EV.
• 25:57
  SPEAKER_01: Okay, so a lot of people when they I can't even see myself on this thing here.
• 26:02
  SPEAKER_01: Here you go.
• 26:03
  SPEAKER_01: A lot of people when they smile to a camera, when they laugh, they go, and you start again.
• 26:08
  SPEAKER_02: But people that can't see this and listening to it, we're talking about the double chin here.
• 26:14
  SPEAKER_01: So yeah, when you push your neck back and you get a double chin.
• 26:17
  SPEAKER_01: So the biggest tip is put your head forward like in emu.
• 26:20
  SPEAKER_01: Oh, is that why you get me to do that?
• 26:22
  SPEAKER_01: It always feels really odd.
• 26:24
  SPEAKER_01: It does.
• 26:25
  SPEAKER_01: So you're putting your head forward and then down, and it just gives really lovely jawline.
• 26:30
  SPEAKER_01: But when you're getting the photo taken, you feel ridiculous.
• 26:34
  SPEAKER_01: You feel like you're easy.
• 26:36
  SPEAKER_01: But honestly, I say it to everyone in every photo.
• 26:39
  SPEAKER_01: I should have called myself emu photography.
• 26:43
  SPEAKER_02: That takes away that double chin and that kind of like job of the hut sort of look.
• 26:47
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, yeah.
• 26:48
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, yeah.
• 26:50
  SPEAKER_02: There you go.
• 26:50
  SPEAKER_02: I love that.
• 26:51
  SPEAKER_02: So, Shay, what are we making far too complicated when it gets to getting uh when to get the photos right?
• 26:57
  SPEAKER_02: What are we overcomplicating?
• 26:59
  SPEAKER_02: Do you think?
• 27:00
  SPEAKER_01: I'd have to come back to that because I don't think I give chant people chance to complicate.
• 27:07
  SPEAKER_01: You know me, I'm so blunt.
• 27:08
  SPEAKER_01: It's just like that's not gonna work.
• 27:11
  SPEAKER_01: That is I will do this, bring that, let's go.
• 27:15
  SPEAKER_01: I think I think people overcompliment their appearance and needing to look beautiful.
• 27:20
  SPEAKER_01: And it's not about looking beautiful, it's about um who you are behind the business.
• 27:26
  SPEAKER_01: You're not gonna be an Instagram influencer, you're not there taking photos and showing your high school bullies and trying to get rid of those high school insecurities.
• 27:35
  SPEAKER_01: It's showing who you are and confident and strong in your business.
• 27:39
  SPEAKER_01: And on that note, I was gonna say something.
• 27:42
  SPEAKER_01: Oh, so when I started photography, it was actually roll film, which is big 120 mil film.
• 27:48
  SPEAKER_01: Then we went to um 35 mil film, then digital SLR, now mirrorless.
• 27:53
  SPEAKER_01: Like it, I've been there from the get-go.
• 27:55
  SPEAKER_01: And in the olden days, you didn't have Photoshop.
• 27:57
  SPEAKER_01: You had to achieve everything through lighting, posing, clothes, you name it.
• 28:01
  SPEAKER_01: Then I went into semi-nude photography.
• 28:04
  SPEAKER_01: So people were starkers.
• 28:05
  SPEAKER_01: And I just think, yeah, so we really had to find the craft of making people genuinely look good.
• 28:12
  SPEAKER_01: Without the Photoshop in the beginning.
• 28:14
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, it's true.
• 28:15
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so I think um one of the other things people need to be confident is, and another a lot of other photographers need to accept, is if those clients do want Photoshop because of their insecurities, I think we should allow it.
• 28:29
  SPEAKER_01: Because I know myself, when I'm going through stages of carrying weight or not, I'm like, I don't, I don't want to be seen out there like that because it's just a stage where I might be carrying a bit of weight or whatever.
• 28:40
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and I think we need to allow that because there was a while there I was trying to embrace the whole thing, we should be natural and we should accept our size, but we'll never ever change our society, unfortunately.
• 28:51
  SPEAKER_01: And I think if a bit of Photoshop gives clients that bit more confidence, go for it.
• 28:56
  SPEAKER_01: So I don't think they need to answer your question, complicate it about their size or their appearance.
• 29:02
  SPEAKER_01: It's just um, yeah, allow it, allow it in post-production if they want it.
• 29:08
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I love it.
• 29:08
  SPEAKER_02: And isn't it funny how, and I love this how you can evolve with your different thoughts on things.
• 29:15
  SPEAKER_02: Like, yeah, and I think it's okay.
• 29:17
  SPEAKER_02: Like it's you know, I think some people get wrapped up in knots thinking, oh, but I said that five years ago and I've got to stand by that.
• 29:24
  SPEAKER_02: It's okay to change our mind on it.
• 29:26
  SPEAKER_02: It's all right to do that when we know better, we do better, or we when we when we get more educated around something, we can go, oh, and that's layers with everything.
• 29:37
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, you know, with all different sort of areas of life, we get to change our mind if we when we know better, we do better.
• 29:44
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I think um that's a powerful thing to shake hands with if we can do that.
• 29:50
  SPEAKER_01: So it really is because I had I was big, I was calling myself a slimming specialist because I am actually really good at it because I love it, just saying.
• 29:59
  SPEAKER_01: And I think I practiced on myself so much and mastered it anyway.
• 30:03
  SPEAKER_01: Um, what I was gonna say.
• 30:04
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and then I had a photographer sort of say, Oh, you're calling yourself a slimming specialist.
• 30:09
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, you know, I don't know what she didn't sort of say I shouldn't, I shouldn't be doing that, but she's it's sort of implied it's not really um allowing to be um full full bodiness or whatever the word is.
• 30:23
  SPEAKER_01: I'm not good at terminology.
• 30:24
  SPEAKER_01: And I was like, oh yeah, that's kind of encouraging um you're gonna you're gonna be size eight or being fake or whatever.
• 30:32
  SPEAKER_01: And then so I took it down, the sitting specialist.
• 30:35
  SPEAKER_01: And then I still have women saying, yeah, there's no chance I want a photo out there of me being my current size now that I've hit menopause or whatever.
• 30:42
  SPEAKER_01: And I was like, do you know what?
• 30:43
  SPEAKER_01: It's not about encouraging vanity, it's about allowing people to be confident, getting themselves out there.
• 30:50
  SPEAKER_01: And I relate to that because of our silly society.
• 30:54
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 30:54
  SPEAKER_01: So to get back to what you were saying, I evolved on that.
• 30:58
  SPEAKER_01: I was like, I'm allowing slimming, but then I was like, oh, maybe not.
• 31:02
  SPEAKER_01: It's encouraging vanity.
• 31:03
  SPEAKER_01: And now I've done a full circle and come back.
• 31:05
  SPEAKER_01: And as you say, you'll always change because times are always changing and trends are always changing.
• 31:10
  SPEAKER_01: But I think it's always about the client and it's what they feel confident with and what they want.
• 31:16
  SPEAKER_01: But I'll never make anyone look plastic.
• 31:18
  SPEAKER_01: Wrinkles and that I love is I'm talking more about body shape because wrinkles and that if if you airbrush it too much, it looks like your photos were taken 20 years ago and it defeats the purpose, right?
• 31:30
  SPEAKER_01: It does, yeah.
• 31:31
  SPEAKER_01: Soften just because digital's so sharp.
• 31:34
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but I wouldn't remove yes.
• 31:36
  SPEAKER_00: Getting back to your question.
• 31:38
  SPEAKER_02: No, but it's it's true, and I think um anyone out there listening that would be interested in getting Shay to come and do a photo shoot, she does make those wrinkles soften beautifully, which is wonderful if you want that to happen.
• 31:50
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, yeah.
• 31:51
  SPEAKER_02: What do you see, women?
• 31:53
  SPEAKER_02: Uh what do you see in women that they often can't see in themselves, Shay, in the photo shoots?
• 32:00
  SPEAKER_01: I see that.
• 32:04
  SPEAKER_01: I see that they don't see their own confidence, and they don't see that they're not alone in how they're feeling.
• 32:13
  SPEAKER_01: So I photograph a lot of executive leadership type women, for example.
• 32:17
  SPEAKER_01: And it's all kind of that's kind of like on the phone, on the outside, they appear this big confident, you know, um and dealing with leadership and whatnot.
• 32:27
  SPEAKER_01: But behind that, they do have all the insecurities that we all have.
• 32:31
  SPEAKER_01: So, what was the question again?
• 32:32
  SPEAKER_01: I forget where I was going with the thing.
• 32:34
  SPEAKER_02: Just um the what what can't women see in themselves?
• 32:38
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 32:43
  SPEAKER_02: I wish they could see themselves through what I can see.
• 32:47
  SPEAKER_01: Oh, okay.
• 32:48
  SPEAKER_01: So, yeah.
• 32:49
  SPEAKER_01: So getting back, so the first thing I was trying to say was they'll be looking at all their uh opposition and whatnot and seeing all this confidence and people who've had branding shots, and they're like, Oh, they've all got it together, but I don't, but you do, but everyone needs coaching in a new field like that of branding.
• 33:06
  SPEAKER_01: Anyway, and then to answer your question, it was um, they can't see their good parts because all we ever focus on is our negative parts.
• 33:15
  SPEAKER_01: And obviously, when you're looking in a mirror, you're not engaging with yourself, going, Hey Shanghai, have a nasty day.
• 33:21
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, yeah.
• 33:22
  SPEAKER_01: You're just looking in the mirror going, oh, you know, I've got a big nose or big ears or whatever.
• 33:26
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 33:27
  SPEAKER_01: Um, so they're very surprised when they see themselves engaging with me behind the camera and I capture it because they're like, Oh, never see myself laughing naturally.
• 33:36
  SPEAKER_01: Like this, you don't laugh at yourself in the mirror, right?
• 33:39
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah, I do.
• 33:42
  SPEAKER_00: I talk to myself.
• 33:43
  SPEAKER_00: I'm sorry if you do a lot of things in the mirror, mate.
• 33:46
  SPEAKER_00: You should do a podcast on that.
• 33:49
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, you would be surprised.
• 33:54
  SPEAKER_01: People just need you and me out of shooting.
• 33:57
  SPEAKER_01: They just they wouldn't get any photos done because they just laugh.
• 34:00
  SPEAKER_01: We have fun on a lot about champion.
• 34:02
  SPEAKER_01: This is our sober.
• 34:04
  unknown: I know.
• 34:06
  SPEAKER_00: We have a lot of fun on the photo shoot, Shay.
• 34:10
  SPEAKER_02: Okay, yeah.
• 34:11
  SPEAKER_02: So you're able to capture um what you can see within um behind the film behind your camera.
• 34:17
  SPEAKER_02: The I guess because I wanted to touch on something you said earlier because it's not, I think sometimes we just think it's the raw picture of us.
• 34:24
  SPEAKER_02: And you're you sort of said earlier, I bring out kind of the energy.
• 34:29
  SPEAKER_02: And I know for me, my energy.
• 34:31
  SPEAKER_02: I've got, I sometimes don't know where to put my energy.
• 34:33
  SPEAKER_02: I have so much of it, I've got to learn to kind of direct it a little bit.
• 34:38
  SPEAKER_02: And I think you certainly have been able to capture that in my photos.
• 34:44
  SPEAKER_02: And what's that?
• 34:46
  SPEAKER_02: How do you do that?
• 34:49
  SPEAKER_01: It's the same thing though, because I don't want your clients that are listening to this who are introverts, thinking, oh no, I'm not someone that bounces, because everyone does have different energy.
• 34:59
  SPEAKER_01: So getting back to where we started, it's about the intuition of being able to read that person's character.
• 35:05
  SPEAKER_01: And because you want to show that person's audience what sort of character they have, because the audience is looking at them going, actually, they look like a lovely, soft, calm person.
• 35:17
  SPEAKER_01: I want to deal with them, or hey, they look like they'd make this experience fun.
• 35:22
  SPEAKER_01: Or, do you know, like you're trying to read where am I investing my money and what are they about?
• 35:26
  SPEAKER_01: So the energy is about the intuition and being able to tap into it and capture and work with who they are.
• 35:34
  SPEAKER_01: And some people it is, it's just soft and it's just soft, thoughtful little smiles, especially if you're photographing like a I don't know, psychologist or something, but in your field, like bookkeeping and whatnot, um, you know, you don't need to be like you and me.
• 35:49
  SPEAKER_01: Exactly.
• 35:50
  SPEAKER_01: You know, so I think that's important to say because um people, especially dealing with finances, that's a it's the thing that would be more important than appearance or personality or whatever is trust.
• 36:02
  SPEAKER_01: Exactly.
• 36:03
  SPEAKER_01: Like they're gonna actually invest my money well or make me money.
• 36:06
  SPEAKER_01: So you want that you want to be looking at someone that looks highly professional, skilled in their field, confident.
• 36:12
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so it's um horses for courses, but energy to answer the question, it's tapping into who that person is and and showcasing them authentically.
• 36:21
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 36:22
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I love it.
• 36:24
  SPEAKER_02: Um, all right.
• 36:25
  SPEAKER_02: So your clients talk about the help you give them with styling, wardrobe, makeup, and posing.
• 36:31
  SPEAKER_02: What are the biggest mistakes women make with clothing, color, makeup, or trying to look professional?
• 36:39
  SPEAKER_01: Okay, so there's a few answers to that.
• 36:42
  SPEAKER_01: The biggest mistakes are okay.
• 36:45
  SPEAKER_01: Oh, it's a hard one.
• 36:46
  SPEAKER_01: This is this is complex.
• 36:47
  SPEAKER_01: This is a whole session that I guide people on on um clothing.
• 36:51
  SPEAKER_01: But just to give you a few tips, whenever you wear patterns, it adds size.
• 36:56
  SPEAKER_01: Whenever you add sort of boofy shoulders or frills and things, it adds size.
• 37:01
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but again, you still want to be yourself.
• 37:05
  SPEAKER_01: A lot of people are so invested in their business, they don't even know their own style.
• 37:11
  SPEAKER_01: So this is where we'll have a chat.
• 37:12
  SPEAKER_01: And I'll be like, okay, are you blonde, are you brunette?
• 37:15
  SPEAKER_01: What sort of colors do you tend to wear?
• 37:17
  SPEAKER_01: And we just tie it all together.
• 37:19
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but yeah, the biggest things are just patterns and whatnot can add size or not even add size, just look busy, but the same again, they need to look authentic.
• 37:29
  SPEAKER_01: But a lot of people haven't been shopping and don't know what their style is.
• 37:33
  SPEAKER_01: So it's helping them discover what actually does suit them.
• 37:36
  SPEAKER_01: And there is where a lot of confidence comes again, because people are like, Wow, I look good.
• 37:42
  SPEAKER_01: And if you look good, you feel good, right?
• 37:44
  SPEAKER_02: I absolutely I'll never forget our first session together.
• 37:48
  SPEAKER_02: We did it on FaceTime, and you were like, So you I know you actually came here physically to begin with, and then we did one on FaceTime, and I remember it was so funny because you were like, let's take me to your wardrobe, and I'm I was bringing them out and you were showing me, you said, Have you got gray in your wardrobe?
• 38:05
  SPEAKER_02: I said, No, I wouldn't wear gray.
• 38:07
  SPEAKER_02: And I was showing you my wardrobe, and you said, Yeah, what's that shirt there?
• 38:10
  SPEAKER_02: And I put it was a gray shirt, it was a silk gray shirt.
• 38:14
  SPEAKER_02: I'm like, Wow, and you're you can see things that I definitely can't see because so when you took me through my wardrobe and showed me, and I'd also for one of the photo shoots, I can't remember, bought a whole bunch of different things like bright coloured tops with patterns and like and I brought it and you went, nah, like what why?
• 38:35
  SPEAKER_02: And it's it's sort of captain obvious after you work with you for a bit to know that oh, I should, I I didn't for the last photo shoot write any patterns or anything.
• 38:44
  SPEAKER_02: So, but you just don't when you don't know how much impact that can have on the way that you look in a photo, you just don't know that.
• 38:52
  SPEAKER_02: So having that personalized experience for you to you can see it straight.
• 38:56
  SPEAKER_02: It's like me with coaching, like pretty much you can see straight away when you're looking at somebody's coaching sheet and so like you're you can get into their space pretty quickly, and you're very, very skilled at that to be able to and and that's helped me even with my dress style too, Shay.
• 39:10
  SPEAKER_02: Like to understand what I look good in and what I don't look good in.
• 39:13
  SPEAKER_02: And it's been um that that kind of I guess is an extra bonus to getting a photo shoot because it helps you with your style.
• 39:20
  SPEAKER_02: It does, yeah.
• 39:21
  SPEAKER_01: And a lot of people don't know what their style is, but also if I'm saying yes or no to some outfits, it's not necessarily because it might be what I like or don't like or or what I think does or doesn't suit you, it's how the camera sees it.
• 39:35
  SPEAKER_01: And it and it's in what setting are we gonna have you?
• 39:38
  SPEAKER_01: What what colours the decor behind you, what colors the office?
• 39:41
  SPEAKER_01: So it's tying it all together, and I'm always looking at it through a lens perspective, yeah.
• 39:46
  SPEAKER_01: Or your hair, like is it gonna complement your hair length or the neckline?
• 39:50
  SPEAKER_01: So yeah, there's a lot to it.
• 39:52
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 39:52
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but yeah, sorry that you brought those colorful outfits if you didn't realize.
• 39:59
  SPEAKER_01: I've definitely known in the industry that people call me blunt, and I don't mean to be blunt, I just know people are on a time frame and I'm just like, nah, yep, that.
• 40:08
  SPEAKER_01: And especially when people are paying money to hire houses or offices.
• 40:11
  SPEAKER_01: I don't have time to fluff around and oh darling, yes, that's a lovely pattern, but not today.
• 40:16
  SPEAKER_01: So I will usually beforehand discuss all that.
• 40:19
  SPEAKER_01: And yeah, nah.
• 40:20
  SPEAKER_02: Your style, your style and your approach is beautiful.
• 40:24
  SPEAKER_02: It's like short, sharp, to the point, friendly, uh, get the job done.
• 40:28
  SPEAKER_02: It's it's right up my alley.
• 40:30
  SPEAKER_02: I love it.
• 40:30
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, good.
• 40:31
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 40:31
  SPEAKER_02: I wanted to talk just briefly.
• 40:33
  SPEAKER_02: We were talking about before about bookkeepers and accountants perhaps hiding behind computers and not being our energy.
• 40:38
  SPEAKER_02: And that, like, I personally seek out people like that.
• 40:42
  SPEAKER_02: I love to like my husband is very calm and level, my friends are very calm.
• 40:48
  SPEAKER_02: Like, I love being around that kind of energy because my energy is so big when I'm with other people with that energy, it's like yeah, I just don't know where to put my energy.
• 40:57
  SPEAKER_02: It's exhausting, it is exhausting, it's exhausting for me too.
• 41:01
  SPEAKER_02: But that's what I love about working with the type of clients I love because of that beautiful energy.
• 41:08
  SPEAKER_02: But bringing that to life on camera, I think is really important.
• 41:11
  SPEAKER_02: That's why it I think it was an important thing.
• 41:12
  SPEAKER_02: I just wanted to touch on it with the energy thing, that there is energy there as well, and bringing that to life because I would see a picture like that and go, I want to be with that person.
• 41:22
  SPEAKER_02: I don't want to be with somebody like me.
• 41:24
  SPEAKER_02: I want to be with that calm energy.
• 41:26
  SPEAKER_02: And obviously, you're bringing that to life in your photos.
• 41:29
  SPEAKER_01: And something I'll just say on that, that's really important that I can't believe I haven't mentioned already in our chat.
• 41:35
  SPEAKER_01: Um, when I'm doing some photos of people, I will actually say to that person, okay, so while you're sitting there, excuse me, behind the computer or whatever, you're looking out the window, I want you to really look out that window and imagine you're looking at little kids running around a field or look, you're looking at your pet.
• 41:52
  SPEAKER_01: So it's also about coaching them into what they should be thinking, so that then I can get that feeling in their expression.
• 42:00
  SPEAKER_01: So, yeah, audience, please don't feel like you need to know how to look because a photographer, well, a good photographer should actually guide you on that and put you in scenarios and that to capture that.
• 42:12
  SPEAKER_01: Because unless you're a professional actor, there's no chance you can just get that naturally and nice and really mean it without being stiff.
• 42:20
  SPEAKER_01: Um, the other thing was, yeah, I totally agree.
• 42:22
  SPEAKER_01: Opposites attract.
• 42:24
  SPEAKER_01: I'm the same.
• 42:24
  SPEAKER_01: I love the calm energy.
• 42:26
  SPEAKER_01: And um, yeah, it's so nice to be able to tap into both because that's that's what you know probably makes us professionals in our field is that we can and we can relate to a lot of people because there are different different types, and what do you call it, new neurotypical and whatnot as well?
• 42:42
  SPEAKER_01: Like it takes all kinds, so yeah, definitely.
• 42:46
  SPEAKER_02: So, Shay, what would you say to the to a woman who's been hiding behind old photos for years?
• 42:51
  SPEAKER_02: They're sitting there and they're going, I need to, I need to get a photo shoot, or maybe they've never had a photo shoot due to all the reasons that we've spoken about.
• 42:58
  SPEAKER_02: What would you say to her?
• 42:59
  SPEAKER_01: Hang on, I just realized I said something wrong.
• 43:01
  SPEAKER_01: It's not neurotypical.
• 43:03
  SPEAKER_01: What's the word or neurodivergent?
• 43:04
  SPEAKER_01: Neurodivergent.
• 43:06
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, sorry.
• 43:06
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 43:06
  SPEAKER_01: So what was that question again?
• 43:08
  SPEAKER_01: I went off on my tangent.
• 43:09
  SPEAKER_02: No, you're right.
• 43:10
  SPEAKER_02: So there's a there's a there's women sitting out there that are probably sitting on really old photos or they haven't had a photo shoot and they've all for all the reasons we've just spoken about, what would you say to her to to start her to start thinking, maybe I should get a photo shoot, maybe I should start putting myself out there more on socials and in my website and things like that.
• 43:33
  SPEAKER_01: Okay.
• 43:33
  SPEAKER_01: First of all, I'd say to her, I a hundred percent where she's coming from because, like myself, with my own branding video, I'd just split up with someone after a few years and I was all thin from stress.
• 43:46
  SPEAKER_01: And I'm like, I want that video forever.
• 43:48
  SPEAKER_01: I'll never be that thin again.
• 43:51
  SPEAKER_01: So I don't really want to go and get another video.
• 43:53
  SPEAKER_01: So I totally understand people wanting to hold on to it.
• 43:56
  SPEAKER_01: However, again, it's not your own personal.
• 44:00
  SPEAKER_01: Facebook page of your own Instagram is this business, and people really need to see who are they going to invest with.
• 44:06
  SPEAKER_01: I can't reiterate that enough.
• 44:07
  SPEAKER_01: It's it's not about your appearance, it's about you.
• 44:10
  SPEAKER_01: And I was gonna say uh also, you'd just be so surprised at how how good, how professional, how authentic, and that you will look with the right guidance.
• 44:20
  SPEAKER_01: And even little things like a spray tan can, you know, make your eyes and teeth pop and feel like you've just had a nice holiday of season, breed confidence, um, you know, the right hair.
• 44:31
  SPEAKER_01: So I treat it as a nice experience and an investment in your business, which it is taxable, which is a bonus.
• 44:37
  SPEAKER_01: You know about that, Chase.
• 44:38
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I know all about that.
• 44:40
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I would actually embrace it and I understand.
• 44:45
  SPEAKER_01: I think for me too, I have a guarantee on my work because I've I don't shoot for people, I shoot for myself.
• 44:51
  SPEAKER_01: Because I like it.
• 44:53
  SPEAKER_01: If you like it, it's a bonus.
• 44:56
  SPEAKER_01: So what's your guarantee?
• 45:00
  SPEAKER_01: Because I just I just know that people are gonna love their shot.
• 45:03
  SPEAKER_01: So I think it's they really need to do their homework because there's a lot of people out there that yes, they'll might do it, like your industry, they might do it really cheap, but you might get a billion photos, but none of those photos were actually posed.
• 45:17
  SPEAKER_01: So in none of the shots, you actually look your best or have you got the right expression.
• 45:21
  SPEAKER_01: There's so much to it.
• 45:22
  SPEAKER_01: So I'd really research, I'd research people's websites, socials, I'd even chat to the photographer or videographer or whoever, make sure you resonate with them.
• 45:32
  SPEAKER_01: And like any anytime you're going to invest money in something, just do your homework, check your reviews.
• 45:38
  SPEAKER_01: Um, yeah, but don't be frightened of it.
• 45:41
  SPEAKER_01: And and if you can try and um like with mine, yeah, because of the guarantee, it's a no-win, like you don't, there's nothing to lose.
• 45:48
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so it's hard to say um unless someone's got a guarantee.
• 45:53
  SPEAKER_01: But I understand the hesitation because I understand insecurities of any woman.
• 45:58
  SPEAKER_01: We or us, all our women have insecurities.
• 46:01
  SPEAKER_01: So yeah, you just gotta get past that, embrace it.
• 46:05
  SPEAKER_02: Yes, yes.
• 46:06
  SPEAKER_02: So um, as we wrap up, Shay, I know that I've got audience Australia, actually globally.
• 46:12
  SPEAKER_02: I always think it's so interesting when I look at the stats and the people that are listening to me from Africa and Finland and things.
• 46:18
  SPEAKER_02: So hi guys, if you're listening to me, but Australia-wide, I've got clients from everywhere that would be listening, uh, audience that would be listening around Australia.
• 46:27
  SPEAKER_02: And if they've heard this podcast, I know that you're based on the Gold Coast, and obviously I'm in Brisbane, so we were it's pretty easy for us to catch up.
• 46:34
  SPEAKER_02: How can people find you to get a photo shoot?
• 46:37
  SPEAKER_02: And do you travel?
• 46:38
  SPEAKER_02: If there was a group of people that got together for a photo shoot in Sydney, so would would you be open to traveling, or is it just on the Gold Coast and Brizzy that you work?
• 46:48
  SPEAKER_01: I'm just getting to that part of my life where I'm in the in a blessed position where I can sort of downscale scale my business and that I've burned out recently three times in a row.
• 47:00
  SPEAKER_02: And I'm open you've been open about that too, Shay.
• 47:03
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I'm real open about that, and um, it's very easy for women to do, especially women at you know our age that are dealing with aging parents and children and changes in hormones and all that sort of thing.
• 47:15
  SPEAKER_01: Like, so I'm really blessed that um I'm sort of more downscaling.
• 47:20
  SPEAKER_01: So people want to find me.
• 47:22
  SPEAKER_01: I don't know, I I don't know, I really advertise it myself because I don't really need more work.
• 47:28
  SPEAKER_01: But um, do I do big days?
• 47:30
  SPEAKER_01: Nah, I a lot of photographers do because it can bring in some good coin, but I'm not interested in the money side of things.
• 47:37
  SPEAKER_01: I just really love engaging with people and I'd rather have the experience one-on-one and give that person my undivided attention.
• 47:45
  SPEAKER_01: Um, do I travel?
• 47:46
  SPEAKER_01: Nah, I'm hopeless in Sydney and whatnot.
• 47:48
  SPEAKER_01: I get dizzy in Sydney's I'm like a hillbilly with goats and little pigs or swear.
• 47:54
  SPEAKER_01: I won't even go to Brisbane anymore, apart from our faithfuls.
• 47:57
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but yeah, so you'd have to be prepared to come to the Gold Coast.
• 48:01
  SPEAKER_01: And um, yeah, it's about all I can say on that.
• 48:05
  SPEAKER_02: I'm honest, you know me, I'm so honest.
• 48:07
  SPEAKER_02: I love it.
• 48:08
  SPEAKER_02: So we will have in the show notes, we'll have Shay's website and how people can make contact with you.
• 48:13
  SPEAKER_01: Exactly.
• 48:14
  SPEAKER_01: And also on that, even if you are overseas or in a state or whatnot, I definitely go to that to steal ideas, even if you take photos of the photos to show your photographer, because there's some fantastic ideas of the different backgrounds that you can have, the different outfits you can have and the different expressions.
• 48:30
  SPEAKER_01: And I just think get as many ideas as you can.
• 48:34
  SPEAKER_01: But remember, you're not applying for a photo shoot and a portfolio for Hollywood.
• 48:38
  SPEAKER_01: It's about your business and always just keep that in the back of your mind.
• 48:41
  SPEAKER_01: Authenticity, business, authenticity, business, not an influencer, you know, not Ferbo magazine.
• 48:47
  SPEAKER_01: Just yeah, it's all about you.
• 48:49
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, and just I um should mention also that Shay um shares a website that you can actually book a house, like a house that can suit your colours and styles and what have you.
• 49:00
  SPEAKER_02: And I know for me, I look at that and I think, I don't know.
• 49:03
  SPEAKER_02: And you, you I think you've ended up picking the one for me mostly.
• 49:06
  SPEAKER_02: I never know which one to pick.
• 49:07
  SPEAKER_02: So I always book a house, and it's an investment, of course, but I think it's a worthwhile investment to do that.
• 49:13
  SPEAKER_02: So awesome, they're beautiful.
• 49:15
  SPEAKER_01: But there's also offices and things, and some people nowadays just work from home and they have a home office and they don't want to show that.
• 49:21
  SPEAKER_01: So we might go to cafes or do shots where you're out and about meeting people.
• 49:25
  SPEAKER_01: There's always a way to tell your story, and also don't doubt yourself because there's so many people who have this presence online as being these massive big executive leaders or finance gurus or whatnot.
• 49:38
  SPEAKER_01: And you would be so surprised at yeah, some of the houses I've turned up to or whatnot.
• 49:44
  SPEAKER_01: And I'm thinking, man, this is not what I thought.
• 49:47
  SPEAKER_01: Like, as I say, your website and whatnot is your online shop front window.
• 49:51
  SPEAKER_01: So it's how you want it to present, and there are ways to tell it effectively, even if you don't have your own business premises.
• 50:00
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, yeah.
• 50:00
  SPEAKER_02: And that's good to know.
• 50:01
  SPEAKER_02: I think that's and I think as I wrap up, Shay, the message that's coming through clearly from you is that be you, be unashamably you, and whatever that whatever package that comes in, as far as your photo shoot area, your the type of clothes you wear, all of this is being you, you know, when we're doing photo shoots, uh, you're able to bring to life the actual person and the authenticity.
• 50:26
  SPEAKER_02: So you don't have to manufacture that, you don't have to overthink it, just you know, bring Shay and book a photo shoot.
• 50:31
  SPEAKER_01: Exactly, exactly.
• 50:32
  SPEAKER_01: And I think a lot of it too is about being more comfortable in yourself, which and being more comfortable in yourself makes you more comfortable in your own business.
• 50:40
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and just don't feel like you're the only one with insecurities because I don't think I've met anyone that doesn't have massive insecurities and people you wouldn't even imagine.
• 50:50
  SPEAKER_01: Um, so yeah, it's that's the biggest takeaway is you're not alone.
• 50:56
  SPEAKER_01: And um, it can be daunting, but it is one of the best investments you'll make.
• 51:01
  SPEAKER_01: And that's not a sales pitch because I don't need to pitch, or just saying legit for your business in this day and age of AI.
• 51:07
  SPEAKER_01: We don't know what's real or not.
• 51:09
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, we need more authenticity.
• 51:11
  SPEAKER_01: So good luck.
• 51:13
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, thanks, Shay.
• 51:14
  SPEAKER_02: It's been an absolute pleasure to be working with you for all the years that I've been in business and hopefully we continue to work together and you don't retire soon.
• 51:21
  SPEAKER_02: You sound like you're gonna retire soon.
• 51:23
  SPEAKER_02: Don't you back me out, Shay?
• 51:24
  SPEAKER_02: Don't you not far off and I don't reckon?
• 51:28
  SPEAKER_00: I'm feeling old, Chaz.
• 51:30
  SPEAKER_01: No, I'm going for a holiday to Africa soon.
• 51:32
  SPEAKER_01: I reckon once I have that trip, I'll come back all refreshed again.
• 51:35
  SPEAKER_01: I'll be missing my creativity.
• 51:37
  SPEAKER_02: You'll be ready to go.
• 51:38
  SPEAKER_02: Well, it's been an absolute pleasure, Shay.
• 51:40
  SPEAKER_02: Thank you so much for taking the time to be on the Shan Francisco show and uh talk to you soon.
• 51:46
  SPEAKER_01: Thanks for having me.
• 51:46
  SPEAKER_01: See you, Chaza.