If you’re new to the photoshoot game, you’re probably feeling a little nervous about what to expect. That’s completely natural, so don’t think you’re strange for feeling that way. In fact, we hear from our clients all the time that they are afraid to take photos for all sorts of reasons, from being “unphotogenic” to feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera and beyond. To help you feel a little more comfortable before the day of your session, and during it, we have some pro tips below.
Have a chat with your photographer before the session
Sometimes just talking through the process with your photographer can help you feel much more comfortable. To start, they’ll walk you through each step of the session day process so you know what to expect. Secondly, knowing the person who is going to photograph you can help you feel much more relaxed and yourself on the day of the photo shoot.
Be authentic with yourself
Have you ever packed for a vacation and decided you were going to bring four different novels and a couple of workout outfits even though you rarely read or exercise? That same type of mindset can occur when you’re preparing for a photo shoot while trying to reinvent who you are. Instead, relax and show up on the day of the session as your authentic self. Wear clothes that you feel beautiful and comfortable in: It’s about capturing your essence!
Go ahead and take it up
It’s a fine line between not being true to who you are and wanting to look amazing on the day of your photo shoot. The key to feeling amazing and comfortable on your shoot day is to elevate the traits you really like about yourself. If you love flowy dresses, find one that you feel amazing in. If your hair is your favorite feature, go ahead and enjoy the few hours beforehand focusing on your hairstyle. If you feel more comfortable with a little color, schedule your spray tan. Do these things only if you feel it will make you feel your best and not because you feel like you “should.”
Know that we are professionals in these things
One of the reasons people experience post-photo stress is that they might not have taken the best images. Because of the lens, selfies create a distorted image of your face. Additionally, lighting and angles are very important. We are professionals in these things. We know what poses to get into that will make you look and feel amazing, and we know how to position yourself against the light (and use extra light) to create a stunning portrait.
