I totally get this as I’m always the one behind the lens. I forget what it’s like to be in front of the camera. It can certainly feel awkward and intimidating. And a lot of uncomfortable self-consciousness. Every now and then, I whip out my tripod and camera (and auto-timer), I let myself indulge in a self-portrait session just to remind myself what it feels like. It helps me to put myself in the shoes of my clients. I want to imagine what I could potentially say to make the portrait experience more comforting. It also helps to nurture a bit of self-love and acceptance. Here are some things I’ve learnt from my self-portrait experience and strategies to help you feel at ease in front of the camera. Please don’t laugh as I’m still discovering my best poses (and had to really hype myself to get out of my comfort zone to do this whole exercise)!
Embrace Self-Acceptance
Step one is to embrace self-acceptance and celebrate you. Everyone has their own unique qualities. Focus on your strengths. Focus on what you love. When you’re able to do this, it becomes easier to feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
Practice, practice and practice!
This may seem like an awkward exercise, but practice posing and experimenting with different facial expressions in front of a mirror or with a friend! Discover the angles, poses, and expressions that make you feel YOU. And more confident. The more you practice, the more natural and effortless you will become.
Dress for Confidence
Choose outfits that make you feel comfortable in your own skin and most importantly, more confident! Wear clothes that fit well, flatter your body shape, and align with your personal style. Or slap on your favourite earrings! When you feel good in what you’re wearing, it boosts your self-assurance and translates into confident body language. Don’t be afraid to incorporate your favourite colours or accessories that make you feel empowered. If you’re stuck for ideas, there are quite some inspiration you can seek on Pinterest to help you shape up a mood board if you like. Did you know this is something I could help out with too during our photography session?
Focus on the Positive
Easier said than done, but do not! I repeat, do not fixate on perceived flaws or insecurities. Focus on your positive attributes. Remind yourself of your unique qualities and strengths. Tell yourself the reasons why you deserve to be in front of the camera. Practice deep breathing or meditation before a session to clear your mind of those loud thoughts (I know my overthinking brain tends to give me the jitters at times, so this technique really helps me). Spare a few moments to utter positive affirmations and thought. When you allow your confidence to shine through, it’ll show through in the photos too!
Connect with the Photographer (and vice versa!)
A big part of my portrait experience is to spend some time in getting to know you. This will enable me to understand your preferences, desires and goals for the portrait session and enables me to tailor my approach accordingly. There’s nothing more important for the photographer to establish a connection with their subject (and vice versa). More authentic and genuine expressions from the subject can be captured more seamlessly when there is trust and easy collaboration between the photographer and the subject.
Rest assured though, if you still feel uncomfortable with engaging in a portrait session, I can help break the ice during our photography sessions!
