As more of a corporate / occupational / editorial portrait shooter I rarely have worked with actual models. So, I’m accustom to having to really work and push people to get a good expression out of them – and then hopefully be quick enough on the shutter button to capture that split second where they look completely at ease – or have what looks to be a genuine smile on their face. Sometimes that is split second is the only chance I get.

So, due to this being the norm for me, when I work with actual models – it seems to be absolutely effortless. They usually are going to be good looking people that are very aware of how to give various looks for the camera, so as fast as you can mash the shutter button, they’re ready to go and are looking great.

Well, that’s what happened with this girl that I photographed on a corporate portrait shoot a while back. She got in front of the camera and just lit up. Smiling. Not smiling. Every single look she gave me looked great. I didn’t ask her if she had modeled before, but did joke with her as I was shooting that she was a pro.

I had no idea why she was so photogenic until she followed me on Instagram. Turns out she is a cheerleader for the Atlanta Falcons and apparently quite use to having a camera in her face and having to look good for it. It’s her job to at that point.

This is a shot of her that was not requested for delivery by the client, but I felt was really good. It is an outtake that has got kind of a fashion type portrait look to it and illustrates pretty well what I’m talking about.