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Having your photo taken can be super awkward. I don’t think the majority of people feel overly comfortable with it. But as a blogger it’s often expected to have photos of yourself, and sometimes you really want to share an outfit. So how do you get in front of the camera and not feel ridiculous?
I’m by no means looking the best in every photo or pulling off elaborate editorial shoots, but that’s kind of my point. I’m not a model and presumably neither are you. These are my tips for getting in front of the camera.
Inspiration
The first place to start is with finding some inspiration. When you’re scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest start saving any photos that you like from other people onto a board or folder. Try and work out what kind of look you like the most and if there are any common poses amongst the people in the shots. You can then copy the poses and share the images with whoever is taking your photos so they know what you’re aiming for.
Practice different poses in the mirror if you’re not sure what it’ll look like. It’s a good idea to do this in the clothes that you’ll be wearing, even just standing a certain way can look completely different depending on the clothing.
Communication
Having someone you already know take your photos can make it a lot easier to feel comfortable but if you’re working with a photographer then get to know them a bit beforehand. Have a chat online, grab a coffee before the shoot. As I mentioned, show them your inspiration photos so that you’re on the same page and they can get the best angles if you want to try something new. They can guide you into different positions or move around if something isn’t working.
Being yourself
The easiest way to get natural looking photos is by doing just that. Pretend the camera isn’t there and you’re just strolling around or looking at something in the distance. Try and just have a good time, smile, laugh and chat, but try not to talk constantly because faces when talking are hardly ever flattering. If you’re finding it hard to relax then try putting on some of your favourite music, dance around and have fun!
Feeling comfortable in front of a camera is often something that just comes with practice. The more you do it, the easier it gets!
If you’re based in South Wales/Bristol area and looking for a photographer to shoot with, I now offer blogger packages for outfit photos and portraits. Send me an email or message me on social to discuss 😊 you can see some of my previous shoots on this page.
