How To Feel Comfortable In Front Of A Camera

Do you feel comfortable in front of a camera? So many people struggle to feel comfortable when their picture is being taken. Not only do they dread the actual process of having a photograph taken, they worry about the resulting photographs as well.

The small businesses I have mentioned in this article are brands I know and trust. I have paid for their services and have not been compensated by them in any way for this article.

It is so important to make sure there are images of you that reflect who you really are, whether you are in business or not. Over years of being photographed, including as a professional model back in the 1980’s, I have picked up hints and tips that can help you not just tolerate having your photograph taken, but maybe even enjoy it. I am going to share some of them today. But first…

Why Is It Important To Put Yourself In The Picture?

Regardless of who you are or what you do, it is important to put yourself in the picture.

If you run a business, it is important to have photographs of you for your website, social media and promotional materials. Your clients want to see your face, not standard stock shots that they see on multiple websites.

However, whether you are in business or not, you deserve to take up space and be remembered. You need to be fully present in the records of your life. Have you ever bemoaned the lack of photographs of a loved one who is no longer with us? Consider how your own friends and family might feel if you leave them in that position.

How to Feel Comfortable In Front Of A Camera – My Top Tips

Work With A Photographer Who Makes You Feel Comfortable

Whether it is a shoot for family photos, a headshot or brand photographs, be sure to work with a photographer who makes you feel at ease.

Always interview your photographer to be sure you are on the same wavelength. It’s okay to interview more than one person, and bear in mind that some photographers specialise in different areas. For example, wedding photography and brand photography are two very different things.

The person you choose should meet with you before the shoot (not just on the day) so you can discuss the finer details of what you would like and make a plan so the day runs smoothly. This is one of the reasons I work with Terry Joshi Images for professional shoots so regularly. I always find our pre-shoot meetings inspiring and encouraging, and it gives me confidence to know exactly what we are going to cover and in what order. On the day, Terry creates a relaxed and fun atmosphere that makes it a joy to work with her. 

Wear Something You Feel Good In

The old saying “when you feel good you look good” still rings true today. Wearing clothes that make us feel good physically and emotionally makes it easier to feel comfortable in front of a camera. If you are doing a brand shoot, consider hiring a stylist to help you look and feel your best. It is so much easier to feel comfortable when you are wearing clothes you love and feel confident in.

I have been working with stylist Sarah van Dort for over eight years now and what a difference it has made! I have learned so much about styling from Sarah and it has made a huge difference to my wardrobe and my confidence.

Working with Sarah on photo shoots means I get several looks on each shoot, all of which resonate with me and my brand. We meet beforehand, and liaise with Terry to add outfits to the shoot plan. Sarah also helps with organisation and time keeping during our shoots, making sure they run like clockwork.

Consider Having Your Makeup and/or Hair Done

Having your makeup and hair done professionally for a photo shoot is one of the first things I recommend to people who ask me how to feel comfortable in front of a camera.

Even if you are used to doing your own makeup, it can be much more challenging to do so for a photo shoot. Makeup for photography is different for makeup in real life. A professional makeup artist can help you take things to another level by working with the lighting, your colouring and the shape of your face to help you look your absolute best. They can also add on to the makeup to give you different looks throughout the shoot.

Similarly, having a hair stylist with you on a brand shoot not only avoids a bad hair day and gives you confidence, it means you can change your hairstyle part way through to give different looks for different shots.

Ali Oswald has been doing my hair and makeup on shoots for several years now and she always helps me look and feel my best. We normally start with a casual look and build up the makeup through the shoot so that I can have a more formal or evening look in the later shots.

Remember Others See Us Differently

Not only do most people look at us with much kinder eyes, they actually see us differently. This is because the image you see when you look in the mirror is different – opposite in fact – to the one you see in a photograph.

This can be disconcerting because our brain is used to seeing a mirror image. It can often automatically and unconsciously be critical of the image in a photograph for that reason alone. Do bear this in mind when you look at photos of yourself.

Furthermore, we are often extremely critical of ourselves, noticing things other people miss completely. I am extremely self conscious about my nose which I feel is a little on the large side and my legs as I have prominent veins. However, I have never had someone mention either of these things when they looked at a photograph of me, even when I am wearing a dress. The bottom line is that other people rarely notice the things that bother you most.

The Camera Does Not Have To Add 10 Pounds

It makes me sad how many people are put off having their photo taken by this commonly used phrase. When you are thinking about how to feel comfortable in front of the camera, the last thing you want to worry about is your proportions looking different than they actually are.

Cameras can only make you look bigger than you are if the photographer uses a lens with the incorrect focal length, shoots from an unflattering angle, or you pose incorrectly. A good photographer is not going to let any of those things happen.

Check out my tips below on posing for photographs, and listen to your photographer on the day. Most will be happy to help you by showing you ways to pose which will help you look and feel your best in individual shots.

How To Feel Comfortable In Front of a Camera – Tricks Of The Trade

Over the years I have learned lots of ways to look and feel comfortable in front of a camera. I hope they will help you too!

1. Breathe – Take a few deep breaths before you have your photograph taken, and remember to keep breathing when it is being taken. Not only will it make you look better, you will feel better too.
2. Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth to help tighten your facial muscles. It’s tricky to do this when you are smiling, but once you get the hang of it, it really works.
3. Be sure to smile with your eyes as well as your mouth. Let the corners of your eyes crinkle a little. It looks far more natural and appealing. If you need to look serious in a photograph, imagine you are smiling without actually raising the corners of your mouth. It’s easier than you might think, and very effective.
4. Lift your chin slightly so that your neck looks longer.
5. Use a relaxed posture. You want to stand up straight, but not look stiff. Imagine you have a string gently pulling you up from the top of your head. It is okay to move around too!
6. Relax your shoulders. “Don’t wear your shoulders as earrings”, as my modelling agent used to say.
7. Create some space between your arms and your body. Pressing your arms to your sides can make them look bigger. Creating a bit of space, preferably at an angle, between your arms and your body can help define your shape.
8. If you aren’t super smiley, don’t feel you have to produce a big smile. Think about how you would look at a friend when they walk into the room and let that natural smile be your expression.
9. Use props. My photographer, Terry, often recommends “hugging a mug” with your hands for a relaxed shot that makes you look accessible and friendly. Holding a pen, a tea or coffee cup helps keep your brain focused more on the logistics of holding on to the object and less on any anxiety. It also means photographs can look less like formal portraits and more like little glimpses into your life and world.

How To Feel Comfortable in Front of a Camera – Have Fun

Whether a photo is being taken by a friend or a professional, they want you to look good and be happy with the results. Relax as much as you can and work together with the person taking the photograph to get the best shots possible. Not every photograph is going to be perfect, but the beauty of digital photography is that you can pick and choose. The most important thing is to put yourself in the picture!

Questions About How to Feel Comfortable In Front Of A Camera?

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Want to Work with the Dream Team?

Working with Terry, Sarah and Ali is such a pleasure! Together we are the Dream Team – Brand photography by Terry Joshi, Styling by Sarah van Dort, Hair and Makeup by Ali Oswald and Website, Social Media Advice and Copywriting by me, April Harris.

Get in touch if you would like to know more about working with any or all of us.