Photo&biography

Introduce yourself in a compelling way

Crafting a compelling and engaging introduction to your photographer’s bio is essential in grabbing the attention of potential clients.

W is made of two parallel narratives: a fictitious story about an island named W (this story is a disguise for his own story, or the History Perec “invented, described and drew” at the age of 13), and a narrative about the author’s childhood and the fate of his family – a narrative, or should one rather say, an attempt at narrating, constantly threatened by doubt and failure.

If your work is primarily weddings, your bio should speak to brides and grooms. Your bio is a chance for people to get to know you, not just your work.

“I have one photograph of my father and five of my mother” (37) – this sentence opens Chapter 8 of W. Because they aren't just "pictures". In the context of auto-photo-biography all this seems even more complicated and fascinating. A crisis of reference contributed greatly to reclaiming or re-appropriating this genre by female narrations of the past and of identity, which allowed for an exposing of the space of exclusion (of the female voice as the other of traditional autobiography), and for making their voice heard immediately on other terms.²⁰ According to Lionnet, writing enabled the bringing to life of a heterogeneous, pluralist I, who profited from this multiplicity and ambivalence, and gained power to fight and refuse “polarized and polarizing notions of identity, culture, race or gender”²¹.

Photographs do not make things easier for Perec, neither do they help to remember nor to write. In This Is Me, This Is You (1998–2000) we look at everyday photographic portraits of 8-10-year-old Georgia, exhibited in two gridded sets of 48 images each²⁸. Incorporate details about yourself that align with their values and aspirations.

Whether it’s sharing your love for adventure when working with outdoor enthusiasts or showcasing an eye for detail when targeting product photographers.

Use storytelling techniques to engage readers

Storytelling is a powerful tool that captivates your audience and makes your photographer’s bio more memorable.

It was possibly only because Sebald in his text-image opened up a space for such a quest and such an encounter, a space for polyvocal interventions in the past and its present image³⁶.

Georges Perec and Roni Horn have rather little in common. They might notice something you’ve missed or offer valuable feedback.

Creating a Photography Bio for Instagram

Instagram offers a more informal platform for your photography business.

When not working, Alex can be found exploring the vibrant coffee culture of the city or spending quality time with two furry best friends.

Portrait Photographer Bio Example:

Lily is a San Francisco-based portrait photographer who takes joy in capturing the essence of individuals through her lens.

From using a third-person narrative to carefully selecting a font for better readability, this section will guide you on the best practices and common pitfalls to avoid.

Dos:

1. Be Authentic: Be genuine and honest. The dependence of photography on its object, just like the dependence of the subject on his/her photographic image, have been systematically deconstructed by the artists of the Pictures Generation¹⁷, such as Cindy Sherman (her Untitled Film Stills come from 1977!), Richard Prince, Sherrie Levine and Louise Lawler.

   Those backgrounds prepared us to work harder than we thought possible, to push ourselves to exhaustion, and then go just a little farther. You may be known for your unique editing style or ability to capture candid moments. I am a Chicago-based wedding photographer with a deep love for natural light, candid moments, and stylish, intimate weddings.

   She came across a thread of the fabric of her family history, her ancestors, and by appropriating Seblad’s tool, she wove herself into his visual-textual narrative. Think about what separates you and encapsulate that in a concise sentence or two.