6 Tips for How to Be Comfortable in Front of a Camera
Fiercely Be has been a lot of things; coaching, personal training, yoga, branding, and website design. Recently, I decided I wanted to connect to my creativity and do more of something I really enjoy. You may or may not know this about me, but I got my Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in photography but honestly haven’t done much with it since (except for the roughly 17, 000 photos on a phone that’s barely two years old).
To me, photography is special. You can take pictures of so many different things (landscapes, portraits, wildlife, street, fashion, still life, sports, food, etc.) and it’s a way to capture a moment/memory in a lasting image. Personally, I love taking portraits. Not only do I think photos can build confidence and make one feel special and beautiful, but I find it exciting to try and capture a person’s personality through the lens.
After almost 10 years of taking pictures, I’ve found most people feel extremely uncomfortable in front of a camera. I’ve seen it all, from silly faces and awkward posing to “what do I do with my hands” and questions on what to wear and do.
So, if there’s a secret part of you that wants to do a photoshoot but you’re nervous to have your picture taken (or maybe you don’t want to, but still need those business headshots), here’s my advice for how to be comfortable in front of a camera.
Research. There are two parts to this:
Look up poses that you like before the shoot and even take screenshots on your phone to show to your photographer.
Know your angles. It might feel a little dumb, but take some time in front of the mirror to practice some poses or at least find your best “side” and favorite go-to expression.
Wear what you’re comfortable in. Sure, sometimes you need to dress up or wear specific things but typically when people ask me what to wear, I tell them, “wear your favorite outfit or something you FEEL good in.” Chances are if you feel uncomfortable in your clothes, it shows in your body language.
Talk to your photographer. The more they feel like a friend the easier it is. Also BE HONEST, if you feel weird in front of the camera, let them know and ask for tips on how to pose.
Props! It always feels less awkward when you have something in your environment to interact with or something to hold. You can even plan outfits to incorporate props (a hat to hold, a scarf to flick, a dress to twirl, etc.)
Be in your own bubble. Do you know how kids always seem to play like no one is watching? Challenge yourself to do the same, have fun in front of the camera and pretend no one is watching. Even if people are around, most of the time they don’t even notice or care!
Be Yourself. Yes, I know it’s cliche but it’s true! Often, I see people on camera trying to move or pose in a way they THINK will look good but ends up looking fake. Try to relax, shake it out, and move how you normally would.
I hope you find these tips helpful and if you have any more comments or questions, drop them below. If you need new pictures, reach out and schedule with me today!