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Mind Body Colleen

Read This Before Your Next Yoga Photoshoot

colgrady| Yoga

In today’s world being a successful yoga teacher takes all more effort than just landing a few studio classes. Many yoga teachers need an established online presence and platform to market their offerings and service. Each yoga teacher needs quality photos for flyers, online profiles, content, workshop advertisements, etc. For years I have gathered small strategies from my modeling, photography, and yoga background to take better yoga photos. Yoga photos can take practice and time to get the shot. Here are my tips for getting better yoga photos for your yoga business.

1. Make sure that photographer gets low

I have found yoga photos typically look better if they are taken at the height of the yogi. Taking the photos at that height helps to make the yogi look bigger and it draws more focus to them. I recommend taking the photo at a couple of different heights. Review the photos and then take a few more at the height that looked the best.

2. Create angles with the Body

One of the oldest tips in modeling is to make different angles with the body. For example, hand on the hip, knee popped, ankles crossed, etc. This is because creating angles is visually more appealing to the eye. This tip can be applied to yoga photos. Poses with many angles look much better than a twist or simply fold. Think about how you can make more sharp defined angles with your poses.

3. Create Straight Long Lines

Think of some beautiful ballet photos you have seen before. The ballerinas are probably making long clean lines with their bodies. If you are not very flexible maybe don’t do a pose that showcases flexibility. Even if you are hyper-flexible don’t overstretch to create a line that is more soft and curved. Visually long straight sharp lines look best in photos. 

4. Choose a posture that coordinates with the background 

When deciding on a posture to shoot ask yourself, “How can I best fill the open space with my body?”. This requires a quick jolt of brainstorming and creativity. Think of yourself as a display in front of the backdrop you are shooting or think of how you can interact with the backdrop. I recommend trying 2 or 3 poses to play around with what looks best in the given background. 

5. Check your framing

Framing is my secret sauce to getting the shot. This can be tricky because it is a culmination of all the things above- body angles, body lines, the height of the photo, filling of space. Framing can make or break the photo. Some tips for framing include: making equal distances of points in the backdrop and the body, making sure the photo is taken with the camera lens flat and directly pointed at the subject, and taking the photo where the horizon is perfectly straight. Attention to these details is what makes the photo to the next level and makes the cleaner shot.

6. Note: Not all poses are photogenic.

Although all poses are valuable in a yoga practice, not all poses are photogenic. Some are much more visually appealing than others. Many contortions, twists, simple folds, etc don’t look very good in photos. For example the pose bird of paradise – this pose rarely is a visually captivating shot. It is hard even as an advanced practitioner to create long consistent lines or sharp angles with the body in this pose. I recommend keeping a small album on your Pinterest board or Instagram of yoga shots for inspiration on your next shoot. 

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Namaste, I’m Colleen!

Adventurer. Yoga Teacher. Seeker. Biker. Blogger. Obsessed with bohemian style, the 70s, holistic health, polaroid photos, personal growth, & seeing the world.
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You can’t be the light of the world if you can’t pay your electricity bill. ⁣⁣⚡️
⁣⁣
How many yoga teachers out there feel this? I definitely did when I was a yoga teacher… but when I became a yoga entrepreneur things started to change… my finances, my confidence, my organization, etc, etc.  ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Just think of the energetics of when someone introduces you, “oh she is a yoga teacher” or “oh she is a yoga entrepreneur”. When you hear an entrepreneur the spine straightens up a little more and you may breathe deeper into your belly.  ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Here are 4 things that must dramatically shift when you are going from a yoga teacher to a yoga entrepreneur - ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Mindset: When you see yourself as a professional business owner The way you carry yourself changes. The way you communicate and behave changes. How you chose opportunities will change. For example as an entrepreneur, you are not going to say yes to every opportunity that arises you are going to say yes to the ones that benefit and grow your business.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Owning Your Value: It’s time to start deeply believing in the value of what you offer and start confidently asking for it. If you don’t truly believe that your gifts and services are worthy of your asking rate then why would anyone want to pay you for them?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
A Personal Brand: It’s time to create a name for yourself in the wellness industry with the platforms and socials to back you up. It has built my credibility, visibility, and reputation in the wellness world. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
A Business Plan: There needs to be some clarity and strategy behind all the choices you make and the opportunities you take. Without it, you are just throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks. Have you heard that phrase before?⁣⁣ 
⁣⁣
If your ready to level up and you need some help laying the groundwork for your business plan - I’ve got you covered. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
I just created a Wellness Entrepreneur Workbook with everything to finally get your business off the ground. #linkinbio for your complimentary copy. 👼🏼🌸😚
Self care is health care...⁣ ⁣ I am a FIRM bel Self care is health care...⁣
⁣
I am a FIRM believer that we need to actively nourish yourselves, honor your boundaries and needs, AND take time to depressurize and rest. ⁣
⁣
Because when you neglect doing these things - they start to add up. And the body doesn't forget... anything. ⁣
⁣
Your mind may be able to skip over it but lack of care will start to manifest as chronic pain, disease, headaches, fatigue, disorder, etc.⁣
⁣
So take care of yourself this weekend & do something that makes you feel FULL.⁣
⁣
I love nourishing myself with this all-natural facemask from @leoranatural. The acne facemask lessened the redness of my breakouts & left my skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated.🌈👼🏼🌸
Do you feel like you spend your days using your gi Do you feel like you spend your days using your gifts?⁣
⁣
This question stopped me in my tracks. It is what made my yoga career pivot into becoming a creative. ⁣
⁣
Actually, the first time I knew I need to do something in the creative industry was when I was in India 2 years ago. In a short time, there were a number of things that happened that really gave me this insight.⁣
⁣
⁣
* My teacher gifted me the spiritual name Shakti Devi - Goddess of Creativity. Hence: why my biz is called Studio Shakti. ⁣
⁣
* My roommate in my ashram told me how much of an artist I was and I cried because I was so deeply touched.⁣
⁣
* Someone else asked me what I studied in university and when I said health edu they said really...? I would have guessed something like advertising or interior design.⁣
⁣
I was getting the feedback that everyone was seeing me & praising me for my gifts of creativity. The only person not honoring that in myself was me...⁣
⁣
It wasn't until a year later did I get serious about starting my creative business. And in the beginning stages, I fought a lot of internal battles allowing me to see myself as a PROFESSIONAL CREATIVE.⁣
⁣
But creativity is it is one of my biggest gifts along with intuition, my skills of observation, listening, problem-solving, making people feel seen.⁣
⁣
It makes me feel really fulfilled running a branding and web design business that uses all of them while still working in the yoga and wellness industry.⁣
⁣
Also the book The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope is profound read to help uncover your gifts. It was a key resource along my journey. 🌈🌸📿
This last week has been up there for one of the mo This last week has been up there for one of the most stressful and overwhelming weeks of the year for me. So I have not had the headspace to really process, seal the chapter, and vision cast for the new year. But I have been thinking of 5 things I want for myself in the new year. 🤍⁣⁣
⁣⁣
1. Practice each morning before checking my phone. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
2. Confidently charge my rates and value in my business. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
3. Stop picking at my skin. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
4. Find more ways to be generous.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
5. Fearlessly show up and speak up as my true self. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
NOTE: These AREN’T my proper goals & visions. 🙈 These are way TOO rough…. They’re not actionable, desire led, or measurable. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
IF your goals sound kinda like this let me help you sharpen them, making them more clear, manageable, heartfelt, and pointed toward a real result. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
TOMORROW is my Visionary’s Blueprint Workshop! We are going to be creating VISION BOARDS & ACTIONABLE GOALS & finding our CORE DESIRES for ourselves next year. ⁣📝☁️⁣
⁣⁣
Let's step into the year with a clear vision & structured blueprint of how to get there. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Limited spaces are available. Link in bio to join 🌈🦋🕊⁣
8 days later I came out of my Kundalini cocoon. I 8 days later I came out of my Kundalini cocoon. I am 2/3 modules complete in doing a 200hr kundalini yoga teacher training.⁣ 🕊🌿
⁣
I am sorry guys I can't ever shut up about kundalini but it's such a powerful and potent practice that has given me rapid results of personal transformation. And I love it so much I tear up when I really get talking about it from how grateful and deeply moved I am by this practice.⁣
⁣
Here are some unique things I especially love about it:⁣
⁣
• You chose the same meditations, pranayama, kriyas, and mantra and commitment to this set for 40 days. After 40 days you can add in something new or adjust. This is so you build a relationship and depth to your practice. — excuse me where was this in any other yoga formats. ⁣
⁣
• You're working with your energy systems and the subconscious mind to wipe your slate clean and unhook all the negative patterns that hold you back from being and living in your true self. ⁣
⁣
• It's a philosophy where healing is just a straight charge forward. If you want things to change and traumas to heal just keep your focus on your practice. It is not a place to wallow in your own shit, you don't need to make it bigger by constantly sending more energy and focus to all the bad things that have ever happened to you.⁣
⁣
• It a high-speed practice. Results come your way fast and in ways you probably did not imagine.⁣
⁣
• It brings a ton of clarity and creativity to your life. Your nervous system and energetic bodies are constantly being expanded and repatterned in Kundalini yoga. This allows you to make new neural pathways and open up parts of yourself and new sensitivities that previously were turned off. ⁣
⁣
🤯🤯🤯 it’s the fitness of the future ya’ll. ⁣🧘🏼‍♀️🦋🌈
You probably already know this but if you don't... You probably already know this but if you don't....⁣
⁣
My next Visionary's Blueprint workshop is Jan 2nd! & here's how it will go 👇🏼⁣
⁣
In this workshop, we wrap up 2020. Together we will reflect on our pivotal moments, highlights, and growth. We will admire how far we have come and then finally sign off once and for all.⁣
⁣
Next, we will start digging a little deeper to ask ourselves what we really want to experience, feel, grow, and achieve with the fresh slate of 2021. Through this process, we will create the aim for the new year and new you.⁣
⁣
Once we have a clear direction and goals we will create the vision board to remind us of the person we are going to become this year. I will teach you how to create a vision board for your computer desktop and mobile home screen. Your visions will be plastered on the place you look most, so you will not forget how you are going to show up this year.⁣
⁣
Saturday January, 2nd 2021⁣
CST 5:30 PM⁣
PST 3:30 PM⁣
EST 6:30 PM⁣
Bali 7:30 AM (Sunday 3rd)⁣
⁣
LINK IN BIO TO REGISTER 🦋🌿🌈
You can’t be the light of the world if you can’t pay your electricity bill. ⁣⁣⚡️
⁣⁣
How many yoga teachers out there feel this? I definitely did when I was a yoga teacher… but when I became a yoga entrepreneur things started to change… my finances, my confidence, my organization, etc, etc.  ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Just think of the energetics of when someone introduces you, “oh she is a yoga teacher” or “oh she is a yoga entrepreneur”. When you hear an entrepreneur the spine straightens up a little more and you may breathe deeper into your belly.  ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Here are 4 things that must dramatically shift when you are going from a yoga teacher to a yoga entrepreneur - ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Mindset: When you see yourself as a professional business owner The way you carry yourself changes. The way you communicate and behave changes. How you chose opportunities will change. For example as an entrepreneur, you are not going to say yes to every opportunity that arises you are going to say yes to the ones that benefit and grow your business.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Owning Your Value: It’s time to start deeply believing in the value of what you offer and start confidently asking for it. If you don’t truly believe that your gifts and services are worthy of your asking rate then why would anyone want to pay you for them?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
A Personal Brand: It’s time to create a name for yourself in the wellness industry with the platforms and socials to back you up. It has built my credibility, visibility, and reputation in the wellness world. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
A Business Plan: There needs to be some clarity and strategy behind all the choices you make and the opportunities you take. Without it, you are just throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks. Have you heard that phrase before?⁣⁣ 
⁣⁣
If your ready to level up and you need some help laying the groundwork for your business plan - I’ve got you covered. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
I just created a Wellness Entrepreneur Workbook with everything to finally get your business off the ground. #linkinbio for your complimentary copy. 👼🏼🌸😚
Self care is health care...⁣ ⁣ I am a FIRM bel Self care is health care...⁣
⁣
I am a FIRM believer that we need to actively nourish yourselves, honor your boundaries and needs, AND take time to depressurize and rest. ⁣
⁣
Because when you neglect doing these things - they start to add up. And the body doesn't forget... anything. ⁣
⁣
Your mind may be able to skip over it but lack of care will start to manifest as chronic pain, disease, headaches, fatigue, disorder, etc.⁣
⁣
So take care of yourself this weekend & do something that makes you feel FULL.⁣
⁣
I love nourishing myself with this all-natural facemask from @leoranatural. The acne facemask lessened the redness of my breakouts & left my skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated.🌈👼🏼🌸
Do you feel like you spend your days using your gi Do you feel like you spend your days using your gifts?⁣
⁣
This question stopped me in my tracks. It is what made my yoga career pivot into becoming a creative. ⁣
⁣
Actually, the first time I knew I need to do something in the creative industry was when I was in India 2 years ago. In a short time, there were a number of things that happened that really gave me this insight.⁣
⁣
⁣
* My teacher gifted me the spiritual name Shakti Devi - Goddess of Creativity. Hence: why my biz is called Studio Shakti. ⁣
⁣
* My roommate in my ashram told me how much of an artist I was and I cried because I was so deeply touched.⁣
⁣
* Someone else asked me what I studied in university and when I said health edu they said really...? I would have guessed something like advertising or interior design.⁣
⁣
I was getting the feedback that everyone was seeing me & praising me for my gifts of creativity. The only person not honoring that in myself was me...⁣
⁣
It wasn't until a year later did I get serious about starting my creative business. And in the beginning stages, I fought a lot of internal battles allowing me to see myself as a PROFESSIONAL CREATIVE.⁣
⁣
But creativity is it is one of my biggest gifts along with intuition, my skills of observation, listening, problem-solving, making people feel seen.⁣
⁣
It makes me feel really fulfilled running a branding and web design business that uses all of them while still working in the yoga and wellness industry.⁣
⁣
Also the book The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope is profound read to help uncover your gifts. It was a key resource along my journey. 🌈🌸📿
This last week has been up there for one of the mo This last week has been up there for one of the most stressful and overwhelming weeks of the year for me. So I have not had the headspace to really process, seal the chapter, and vision cast for the new year. But I have been thinking of 5 things I want for myself in the new year. 🤍⁣⁣
⁣⁣
1. Practice each morning before checking my phone. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
2. Confidently charge my rates and value in my business. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
3. Stop picking at my skin. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
4. Find more ways to be generous.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
5. Fearlessly show up and speak up as my true self. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
NOTE: These AREN’T my proper goals & visions. 🙈 These are way TOO rough…. They’re not actionable, desire led, or measurable. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
IF your goals sound kinda like this let me help you sharpen them, making them more clear, manageable, heartfelt, and pointed toward a real result. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
TOMORROW is my Visionary’s Blueprint Workshop! We are going to be creating VISION BOARDS & ACTIONABLE GOALS & finding our CORE DESIRES for ourselves next year. ⁣📝☁️⁣
⁣⁣
Let's step into the year with a clear vision & structured blueprint of how to get there. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Limited spaces are available. Link in bio to join 🌈🦋🕊⁣
8 days later I came out of my Kundalini cocoon. I 8 days later I came out of my Kundalini cocoon. I am 2/3 modules complete in doing a 200hr kundalini yoga teacher training.⁣ 🕊🌿
⁣
I am sorry guys I can't ever shut up about kundalini but it's such a powerful and potent practice that has given me rapid results of personal transformation. And I love it so much I tear up when I really get talking about it from how grateful and deeply moved I am by this practice.⁣
⁣
Here are some unique things I especially love about it:⁣
⁣
• You chose the same meditations, pranayama, kriyas, and mantra and commitment to this set for 40 days. After 40 days you can add in something new or adjust. This is so you build a relationship and depth to your practice. — excuse me where was this in any other yoga formats. ⁣
⁣
• You're working with your energy systems and the subconscious mind to wipe your slate clean and unhook all the negative patterns that hold you back from being and living in your true self. ⁣
⁣
• It's a philosophy where healing is just a straight charge forward. If you want things to change and traumas to heal just keep your focus on your practice. It is not a place to wallow in your own shit, you don't need to make it bigger by constantly sending more energy and focus to all the bad things that have ever happened to you.⁣
⁣
• It a high-speed practice. Results come your way fast and in ways you probably did not imagine.⁣
⁣
• It brings a ton of clarity and creativity to your life. Your nervous system and energetic bodies are constantly being expanded and repatterned in Kundalini yoga. This allows you to make new neural pathways and open up parts of yourself and new sensitivities that previously were turned off. ⁣
⁣
🤯🤯🤯 it’s the fitness of the future ya’ll. ⁣🧘🏼‍♀️🦋🌈
You probably already know this but if you don't... You probably already know this but if you don't....⁣
⁣
My next Visionary's Blueprint workshop is Jan 2nd! & here's how it will go 👇🏼⁣
⁣
In this workshop, we wrap up 2020. Together we will reflect on our pivotal moments, highlights, and growth. We will admire how far we have come and then finally sign off once and for all.⁣
⁣
Next, we will start digging a little deeper to ask ourselves what we really want to experience, feel, grow, and achieve with the fresh slate of 2021. Through this process, we will create the aim for the new year and new you.⁣
⁣
Once we have a clear direction and goals we will create the vision board to remind us of the person we are going to become this year. I will teach you how to create a vision board for your computer desktop and mobile home screen. Your visions will be plastered on the place you look most, so you will not forget how you are going to show up this year.⁣
⁣
Saturday January, 2nd 2021⁣
CST 5:30 PM⁣
PST 3:30 PM⁣
EST 6:30 PM⁣
Bali 7:30 AM (Sunday 3rd)⁣
⁣
LINK IN BIO TO REGISTER 🦋🌿🌈

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