Hate getting your photo taken? Five strategies to overcome those jitters before your next shoot.
Everyone who steps in front of my camera says the same thing at first - “I hate having my picture taken, I’m so uncomfortable”. I get it. You’ve had photos of yourself in the past that you didn’t like. You’ve felt awkward, not knowing where in the world to put your hands and feet. Someone puts a camera in front of you and suddenly you feel like an alien inhabiting a human body and have no idea what to do with it! But not this time. I’m going to outline five ways you can overcome that anxiety and rock your next photo shoot.
1. Plan Ahead
When you show up to your photoshoot knowing exactly the outcome you want, you’ll feel so much more confident. Click here to download my branding shoot planner so you can get super clear on exactly the shots you need. Create a board on Pinterest filled with images that have the look and feel that you want in your business. Having them all laid out together will give you a great overview of the images you need. Make a list of props you’ll want to include in your shoot so that you can gather them the night before. The more you can plan ahead, the less stressed you’ll be leading up to your shoot day.
2. Choose the Right Photographer
Spend some time researching photographers in your area. Ask for recommendations from people you trust. Did the photographer put them at ease? Did they coach them on exactly how to pose and what angles look best on them? I always coach my clients exactly what to do in front of the camera and it takes the pressure off of them to try to figure it out on their own. It’s the photographer’s job to make you look good!
3. Pick Clothes that Make You Feel Like a Rockstar
If you’re doing a branding shoot, you certainly want to bring clothes that speak to your brand and the image you want to present in your marketing. But make sure they are flattering and make you feel your best. Pull out that blazer in your closet that makes you feel like you can conquer the world. Grab those heels that make you feel sexy! A fantastic option is to do a month of Rent the Runway’s Unlimited subscription to add in some fun pieces for your shoot. Just make sure to sign up a few weeks before the scheduled shoot day so you can try on the clothes and exchange any that don’t fit perfectly.
4. Breathe
Ok, this one is super basic but SUPER important. It’s totally normal to tense up in front of the camera, especially in the beginning. When you feel yourself getting tense, take a second and take a deep breath. Take a few if you need! This will help relax your face and improve your posture and get a more natural look.
5. Play to Your Own Strengths
Embrace your own brand of weird! People follow you and want to do business with you because of YOU! So lean into the things that make you unique. Let your personality shine through! What’s great about a Personal Branding shoot is that it showcases your own personal strengths. It’s great to look a little more polished than you are in real life or have an aspirational brand. Just don’t fall into the trap of trying to be someone completely different than you are at your shoot. The more you can be yourself, the less anxiety you’ll feel.