Dec 1, 2022
Bill Gardner
Many people have a fear of being photographed. In our experience, the “fear” is more prevalent with men than with women. Just being asked to stand in front of the camera often makes a person stiffen up which results in a complete change in apparent personality.
Fear and insecurity of being in front of the camera is very common. It’s important to realize that these self-doubts are often blown out of proportion. We want to hide from the camera as we feel we’re taking on something which is totally outside of our comfort zone. Most of these fears and self-doubt arise from natural human response when we’re being watched. We want to present our very best, but with the lens of the camera pointed at us, and a somewhat unfamiliar person using the camera to photograph us as he asks us to sit or stand in specific ways, nervousness just seems to set in. When it does, however, there are suggestions you can try to overcome the very real camera shyness.
You should trust your photographer. They are a professional and knows exactly how you may be feeling. And part of what they do is help their clients relax. Trust is key to any relationship, and your relationship with your photographer, no matter how brief it may be, is no different. The camera is just an extension of the photographer and is a tool that they use to capture your likeness. But the trustful photographer will use various methods at their disposal to help you to relax. It’s important for you to listen to what they say to you and try your best to follow the simple suggestions that they give you.
You need to be sure that you feel “natural.” If you do, you will almost always be more relaxed in front of the camera. To assure that you feel “natural,” we suggest that you refrain from making too many changes to your appearance before your session. Don’t use your photography session to experiment with something completely new. For example, don’t think about trying a new hairdo or changing the color of your lipstick. If you are a jeans and sweatshirt kind of guy, don’t assume that you need to wear a suit and tie for your photo session. We can help you in picking out the clothing that you’ll wear for your session. We want your true personality to come through. Camera shyness often arises from a place of uncertainty. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to “dress up” for your session. Perhaps you could match a new dressy shirt or top along with something that you usually wear. Whatever you choose to wear should be comfortable.
A rule of thumb states that one of the best ways to be comfortable in front of the camera is to feel comfortable. Your choice of clothing could make you a little on edge or even self-conscious. Always wear clothing that’s comfortable when going to a photo session. Whatever you decide to wear should make you feel at ease. Don’t wear something that will cause physical discomfort. Doing so will surely increase your hesitancy in front of the camera and you won’t come across as being “natural.” There’s nothing wrong with picking out something brand new to wear for your session. Just make sure that it is something that you would normally choose to wear. Brand new clothing or shoes should always be worn for a day or two before your session to be sure they are “broken in.” You do not want to endure physical discomfort during your session because a piece of clothing or your new shoes do not properly fit. Always choose something that you feel confident in wearing.
In the same light, do you have an outfit that makes you feel like a star? An outfit that you are proud to wear? If that outfit gives you a confidence boost every time you wear it, then you should consider wearing it rather than purchasing something new. When you get that confidence boost, when you feel like you are a star, the shyness tends to disappear.
While you may not want your finished photograph depicting yourself with a big smile on your face, studies have shown that smiling releases certain hormones and natural painkillers into your system which has the effect of making you feel good all over. Your mood is elevated, your body is relaxed, and any physical pain you may be experiencing is reduced. When you first get before the camera, consider smiling. It may not seem natural or even easy to do, but you should consider it. Besides the physical and feel-good benefits, smiling tends to attract people. Smiling makes you look friendly. Smiling evokes welcoming and you tend to appear approachable. We suggest you allow your photographer to take at least some images of you while you are smiling. You can always change to a more serious expression later. Smiling from the very beginning may just produce the effect that you are looking for. We suggest that you give it a try!
If you don’t like being watched, then you’re not alone! We suggest that you choose a quiet location for your photo session. Are you extra shy? Then make sure that no one else, besides your photographer, is on location with you during your session. This will minimize any distractions.
Do you have a “special place” that you tend to return to time and time again? We’ll bet that you feel comfortable in that place. Well, just as you can choose special pieces of clothing for your photo session, you should choose a location for your session where you feel comfortable. Being relaxed at your choice of location will automatically put you at ease. And guess what? Your mind and body will relax.
Since our biggest anxieties often come from the vast unknown, we suggest that you carefully plan your session with your photographer. Doing so will allow you to know what is going to happen during the session as well as where it will happen, when it will happen, and why it will happen. Planning and having this information at your fingertips will help to reduce the anxiety which you might have about the unexpected.
Using these ideas and suggestions will allow you to have the logistics of your photo session completely under your control. As a result, you’ll be able to focus on preparing yourself. And the better you can prepare yourself, the more you will find your photo session to be enjoyable. And you will have successfully overcome camera shyness!
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