And why they’re all BS!
When it comes to selling my jewelry online over the past 18 years, I’ve learned two very big lessons: 1. Wearable products sell better when customers can see them on a real person. And 2. There’s no more convenient model (and photographer) in your business than you!
Yes, you can certainly hire a model or a photographer (or both). But those things cost money AND can often take weeks or months to get scheduled. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some truly great models over the years, but I’ve found to can be frustrating to try and coordinate schedules when all you want to do is get new work out into the world. (This is especially true if you make one of a kind pieces.)
This is why, after finding a photography process that works for me, I created a class called Market Your Selfie, which helps artists and makers learn how to be both model and photographer for their wearable products.
But of course, for all the positives that come out of Market Your Selfie, I also hear so many excuses from artists and makers about why they aren’t ready to take the class and model their own products! So today, I want to debunk six of the most common excuses you might have when it comes to modeling your own products. Because, believe me, I’ve heard them all, and as far as I’m concerned, they’re all BS!
#1: You’re not photogenic.
Before I started photographing my jewelry on myself, I considered myself to be hopelessly unphotogenic. I didn’t even hire a photographer for my wedding because I didn’t want to pay for photos I was sure I was going to hate.
But the truth is, learning how to look good in photos is a learnable skill, and it’s one that’s considerably easier when you’re fully in control. I still don’t love the vast majority of photos that other people take of me. But when I’m photographing myself, I can see what’s happening and play and experiment until I find a pose or facial expression I’m happy with.
This doesn’t mean every photo I take is a gem. I’ve got memory cards full of awful outtakes. But when you take control of the entire process, you’re more likely to end up with images of yourself you’re happy with because you get to choose what goes out into the world and what stays buried on your memory card. (Or what goes straight into the digital trash bin.)
#2: You’re too old.
I hear this one a lot, particularly from jewelry designers. They struggle to model their products because all they see are wrinkles and age spots and they’re worried about turning people off.
Here’s the thing. Getting old is a privilege that not everyone gets, and it should be celebrated. And luckily, we’re seeing more and more older faces in their natural form online and in advertising. And the more older faces we see, the more it normalizes aging, which is a good thing.
But beyond that, if you’re older, chances are your customers are too. They have the same wrinkles and age spots. And it helps them to see how your products look on someone who looks like them!
#3: You need to lose a few pounds.
Just like the age thing, we’ve been trained to believe that the only people worthy of showing up in marketing are size two models. But fortunately, just like with age, that’s changing. People come in all shapes and sizes, and they want to see marketing that reflects that.
When I first started modeling my jewelry on myself, I was the heaviest I’ve ever been. And since then, I’ve gained 50 pounds. And none of that has stopped me from photographing my jewelry on myself.
The truth is that our weight is one of the least interesting things about us. It’s just a number. And when you hesitate to model your products or show up in your marketing because you think you need to lose a few pounds, all you’re doing is telling your potential customers that they aren’t worthy to wear your work until they’re skinnier too. And I don’t know about you, but I believe everyone should enjoy incredible art and handmade products, no matter their size or shape.
#4: You need a new wardrobe.
I know a lot of artists and makers who struggle with showcasing their work or products because they feel shame about their personal style. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe to take great photos of yourself.
Yes, I’ll be honest. I happen to think I have pretty great personal style. But when I’m working in the studio, it’s all crappy old tank tops, leggings, and running shorts. This is why I photograph most of my jewelry from the chest up on a small selection of t-shirts that I keep in the studio for just that purpose.
The goal of Market Your Selfie isn’t to turn you into a fashion blogger. It’s to showcase your products and your personality. And you can do that with a few simple pieces of clothing, often while wearing running shorts that no one can see. Because let’s face it, in the age of Zoom meetings, that’s what your customers are doing too!
#5: You don’t want to show your face.
Personally, I think more of us should be showing our real, unfiltered faces online. I’m ready for a face-positivity revolution! But, I also get that for some people, you just want to showcase your products and not be the star of the show.
And that’s ok too. In Market Your Selfie, I share lots of tips and tricks for showing off wearable products without actually showing your face. (And yes, it even works for products worn around the face, like necklaces, earrings, and scarves.)
Ultimately, my goal with Market Your Selfie is to meet you where you’re at in terms of your comfort level. And if you really aren’t ready to show your face online, that’s where we’ll start. Though I’ll be honest, you might change your tune by the end of the class. But no pressure!)
#6: You don’t have the right camera or equipment.
When it comes to photographing myself, I’m team fancy camera. It’s just what I love. But that doesn’t mean it’s a requirement for MYS. I’ve had students create some truly stunning images with only their smartphones. So if that’s all you’ve got, you’re more than ready to start photographing your products on yourself.
Of course, if you are considering upgrading, I recommend joining the class first. I’ve coached students on making good camera purchases that get the job done without breaking the bank. And if you do have a fancy camera but are getting lackluster photos, I’ll help you troubleshoot why. (Spoiler alert: it’s probably the kit lens that came with your camera that’s holding you back.)
In the class, we’ll also talk about a few essentials that make the photo process easier, like a tripod and remote. But if you don’t yet have those things, you can get them for under $50 total and use them with the camera or smartphone you already have. No expensive investments in equipment required. (Unless you’re a gear nerd like me, and then I’ll happily geek out with you about the latest and greatest tech.)
When it comes to reasons people think they can’t model their own work, I’ve pretty much heard them all. But the truth is, there’s no reason you can’t! You just need the confidence and the mindset (plus the technical skills) to make it happen, and I teach ALL of that in Market Your Selfie! So what are you waiting for?
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PS. Market Your Selfie isn’t just a vanity class. If you’re wondering why I’m such a firm believer in modeling your own wearable products, check out the video in this post where I talk about how photographing my jewelry on myself helped me sell a $200+ one-of-a-kind necklace that had been sitting unnoticed in my online shop for two years! (And that led to selling a second, custom necklace.)