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Body Quote by Richard Avedon

“Snapshots that have been taken of me working show something I was not aware of at all, that over and over again I'm holding my own body or my own hands exactly like the person I'm photographing. I never knew I did that, and obviously what I'm doing is trying to feel, actually physically feel, the…” quote by Richard Avedon
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“Snapshots that have been taken of me working show something I was not aware of at all, that over and over again I'm holding my own body or my own hands exactly like the person I'm photographing. I never knew I did that, and obviously what I'm doing is trying to feel, actually physically feel, the way he or she feels at the moment I'm photographing them in order to deepen the sense of connection.”

Richard Avedon

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About This Quote

Photographers often mirror their subjects’ gestures unconsciously, a physical empathy that deepens the emotional connection captured in the image.

In simple terms: Photographers mimic subjects, enhancing connection.

Key Takeaway

Embodied empathy enriches visual storytelling.

Themes

photography empathy body language artistic process

Mood

introspective intimate

Type

reflective artistic

When to use this quote

  • portrait sessions
  • creative workshops
  • psychology classes

Key Concepts

mirror neurons embodied cognition

Practical Applications

  • practice self‑observation to improve presence
  • use mirroring to build rapport with subjects

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does physical mirroring affect a subject’s comfort?
  • Can awareness of mirroring improve artistic intent?
A Different Perspective

Over‑mirroring can make the photographer appear insincere or distract from the subject’s authenticity.

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