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What’s Now / The Power of Shyness

By: Seema Miah, Aberdeen, Scotland / Associate Member of Headshots Matter

Let's talk about the power of 'shyness.'

A chat with another photographer recently brought up some old feelings about how I perceive myself. They said they sensed a 'shyness' in my work, and I became rather defensive, saying that I'm not shy. Perhaps it's that I'm quite self-deprecating. I'm not too show-off-y. I prefer to listen more than speak.

And then I realised: that is probably most people's definition of shyness. 

When I was younger, I hated it when people said that I was shy or quiet, as it seemed to suggest that it was a negative trait. And it's true that because I was so unsure of myself in those days, that quietness held me back. Mind you, growing up as a British-Bangladeshi kid in 1980s Aberdeen, Scotland, probably made me feel even more unsure of myself, but that's a story for another day!

However, one of the benefits of being older is self-acceptance and the insight we have about ourselves. What we used to see as a weakness in our childhood, we can now view it as a strength. I now know that rather than being 'shy,' I am an introvert, and I understand that this is an asset. 

In very basic terms, Introverts are people who generally get energised by being alone, whereas extroverts get their energy from interacting with others. Thanks to the success of books like Susan Cain's Quiet, many of us know that our quietness is a good thing!

© Seema Mia / Aberdeen, Scotland

StudioTalk / A Conversation with Alastair Batchelor / London, UK

November 05, 2024

Dwayne Brown
Hi Alastair, your journey in photography has been unique—from capturing London’s hidden cityscapes to cinematic portraits and headshots. What inspired you to move from urban scenes to photographing people?

Alastair Batchelor
I decided to take up photography at 19 while looking through an issue of Time Out London. There was an article by a couple of ‘urban explorers,’ photographers who would sneak into abandoned buildings to capture strangely haunting and stunning images of forgotten places. As with any thrill-seeking, we soon wanted to push the boundaries further and ended up planning a series of trips into London’s abandoned tube stations. These stations are connected to the live underground system and required more extreme methods of access, like abseiling down ventilation shafts and running along live tracks. Eventually, our adventures caught up with us, and we ended up in court facing charges! Luckily, the case was hugely exaggerated, and our lawyers got it dropped before trial. This felt like a sign to move into a new genre of photography. After seeing the work of photographers like Alessio Albi and Kolja Eckert, I was immediately drawn to the filmic, dramatic style of capturing people.

What’s Now / Frame One - How Professional Headshots and a Personal Brand Help to Advance a Graduate’s Career

By: Sarah Vidalin, Montreal, Canada / Graduate of Concordia University

In May 2024, I graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Since finishing my undergrad and embarking on my early career, I have been focusing on creating and building my personal brand. What is a personal brand, you may ask? Well, it's a brand that reflects how you want others to perceive you; it's about creating visibility and projecting values. Developing a personal brand allows you to embody a distinct and intentional image that aligns with your values and the organizations you identify with. A personal brand is more than just a reputation; it is a carefully curated professional identity that positively sets you apart as you advance your career.