One of the first questions I get asked is how to look cute and confident in front of the camera.
“Omg! She looks so confident” “how do you make it look so easy?!” But the truth is… I am really awkward in front of the camera. Posing is one of the things I struggle the most. As a photographer how can I direct someone if I don’t know what to do in front of the camera. That’s why I decided to write this post and I hope it helps you out!
One of the things that you need to have in mind is that being in front of the camera is not easy as it looks and sometimes it takes a little bit of time to narrow it down. Also, have in mind that “models” do not just look good in the photos because they are skinny. Your weight does not determine if you look good on camera or not. What determines how you look at yourself in the photos is the confidence you carry and how you carry yourself around.
Ok, let’s start
Get to know your photographer
If you are shooting with a professional, take the time to explore their social media. Ask them for a like a Pinterest board type of inspiration and talk to them about what are your “insecurities” so you can create a more personal relationship with them and also build confidence with the help they provide.
If you are not shooting with a professional, make sure to choose someone you are really comfortable with to take your photos. You can also make your own Pinterest board so you can inspire yourself and experiment with new poses to make your photos stand out from the rest.
Know your angles
One of the first things I started practicing before doing self-portraits, is standing in front of the mirror making different poses to see what angles are better for my body type. As a photographer, my job is to guide you but it will help you feel more confident if you have an idea in your head of how look doing different poses. I encourage you to go ahead and step in front of your mirror and pose like you are getting your picture taken! And then when you are shooting with your photographer you are going to be more comfortable executing different poses
Ignore the rest of the world
One of the hardest things to do while getting your photos done is not letting your insecurities win. Don’t doubt yourself. What I do is that I internalize everything and get in my own world whether I’m shooting in an empty parking lot or the middle of market street in San Francisco. Your photographer is going to capture the best of you! So try to forget what is going on around you and enjoy the process
Have Fun
Another important thing while you get your photos done is to have fun. The more relax and comfortable you are in your photoshoots, the better your photos are going to come out. You have to have in mind that in photos you can tell how people feel. So, if you feel uncomfortable and you don’t feel confident, that’s going to show. Experiment with poses and just have fun!
Understand the light
You have probably heard about photographers chasing the “golden hour”. The truth is, that most photographers choose to shoot when the sun is setting because that is when the light is more flattering and soft. Usually during summer days, this happens around 8/9pm. So, don’t be strange if a photographer tells you to shoot at 8pm. If you shoot mid-day the harsh light can create unflattering shadows on your face. Of course, if you don’t have another option, there’s also ways to take great photos in the middle of the day. If you want me to share more about this leave a comment!
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