5 Tips to Help You Relax During Your Photoshoot
Are you a little camera shy? You’re not alone my dear friend. I hear the words ‘I’m nervous about getting my photo taken” from almost every client I work with. Since being in front of the camera is a challenging and downright intimidating situation for so many, I decided it was time to share a few tips to help camera shy folks relax during a photoshoot.
1.) Voice Your Concerns:
Have you ever noticed how sharing your fears out loud makes it feel less scary? If you feel apprehensive, let your photographer know. Even a simple, "Hey, I'm not used to being in front of the camera so I feel a little anxious" will let them know they need to give you extra direction and support. Tell them early enough in the process (vs the day of the photoshoot) so you can get to the root of the fear and talk through solutions.
2.) Trust Your Photographer:
Obviously you wanna choose a photographer whose style you fall in love with, but it’s also important to choose the one you feel most comfortable with. The more comfortable you are, the more trusting you’ll be. The more trusting you are, the more confident and at ease you’ll feel. Your photographer is your guide, rely on them to help you calm your nerves so you can focus on being present and bringing your best energy.
3) Take a few deep breaths:
Arrive early to the photoshoot location so you can have some solo time to prepare. Take a few minutes in your car and close your eyes. Breathe in through your nose for a count of four, pause for a second at the top, and then exhale for a count of six (change up the counts based on how it feels). Repeat this breathing pattern until you feel your heart rate slow down. Another idea is to download a meditation app like The Mindfulness App., Headspace, or Calm and listen to it as you drive to the location.
4) Move Around and Use Your Props:
Don't be afraid to move around. The photographer will follow you or tell you when to stop when a certain location or pose looks good. I find that people usually feel stuck and don’t know what to do next so they freeze. The energy gets stagnant (both in your body and in the shoot) so just move around. Walk, swing your arms, play with a hat or one of the props you’ve brought. The sillier you feel, the better and more authentic the photos will look!
5) Utilise Your Moodboard and Practice:
From your moodboard, choose 2-3 poses that you can rely on and practice them. Yes, stand in front of the mirror and play around. Do them over and over again until muscle memory makes them feel easy. Again, your photographer will help you with posing, but coming with a few of your own will help you feel prepared. If you need some extra inspo, check out my pinterest board “Photoshoot Style & Poses”