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What to do When Being Professionally Photographed?

[AKA, How to Not Look Like an Absolute Goof]


WHY DO I FEEL AWKWARD HAVING MY PICTURE TAKEN AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

  1. It's inevitable - recognize that there will indeed be awkward moments and times. Often when a camera is pointed at you, it's natural to feel like you're 'under the microscope'. When I notice my clients feeling this way, I tell them to look at the horizon to the right or left, look at the ground, the sky, or anywhere but at the camera. Figure out how you want to pose and what sort of expression you want to have, compose yourself, and then and only then, look at the camera. The shoot is a bit slower like this, but I find it works much better and is more enjoyable for quite a few different types of people (shy, introverted, perfectionists, type A, planners, neurodivergent, etc)

  2. There will be times when you're unsure about your posture or pose, or you're not quite sure where to look, or the photographer may catch you mid-sneeze. Realize that not every moment or shot is going to work out or be perfect - that's the nature of photographing, and I think when people realize that they don't need to be perfect in every shot, then a lot of stress is lifted.

  3. Coupled alongside that, although the photographer is taking LOTS of photos, the majority of those will be discarded. When I take self portraits, for every ~20 that I take, I'm usually only excited about 1-2 of them. Any shots where I'm feeling unsure of my positioning, or when my expression is a bit weird.......all those go straight to the trash and this is typical and part of the process. So, once you understand this you realize that you have a LOT of leeway and flexibility during the photo shoot. You don't need to take 30/30 perfect shots, nah, we just need 1-2! So get creative! Get weird! Try things! Fail at those, laugh about it, then try another weird thing!

  4. Once you're able to let go of the desire to be perfect in every shot - that's when you'll not only get the best results, but you'll have a better time in the process too.


    Embrace the awkward moments - Engagement couple laughs at themselves during photo shoot
    Engagement shoot couple cracks up at themselves after an awkward moment

COMMUNICATE

  1. However you're feelings in regards to your photo shoot, whether excitement, anxiety, nervousness, or existential dread, talk beforehand with your photographer. We've heard it all and it's our job to help you relax into the shoot and become more comfortable in front of the camera.

  2. Unless you have modeling training, we don't expect you to know how to stand, where to look, or to know ANYTHING about being photographed. So, if you feel at a loss, that's okay, that's how everyone feels.

  3. Let your photographer know not only general anxiety feelings ('I'm nervous', 'I don't know what I'm doing', 'I feel shy in front of a camera', but also anything that may be specific to you or the photo shoot itself. For example: ''I have a tendency to slouch, can you help remind me to stand straight?', or 'I feel insecure about ___[scar, body part, item, etc]___ is there a way to pose that minimizes that?', or, 'Can we also take photos where I'm not looking directly at the camera?'

  4. Communicate DURING the shoot as well! Are you cold, hot, thirsty, or need to be "off" for a minute to relax? Let your photographer know, and I promise you that we are grateful when you tell us this. The goal of good portraits is for the subject to look comfortable, confident, and natural and that won't happen if you're fighting off the urge to scratch your itchy elbow or if you're starting to shiver from cold.

East coast engagement photos under any weather condition

HOW DO I POSE? WHAT DO I DO? [And dear lord what do I do with my hands?]

  1. Everyone asks me this. Seriously, everyone. You're not alone.

  2. When you are taking photos along with a family member or friend:

    1. POINTS OF CONTACT!!! Have at least one part of your body touching or interacting with another person. Sling an arm around their shoulder, or their back, prop your elbow on their shoulder, lean into them and give them a side hug.

    2. For jovial candid photos, joke around, have a laugh, describe in great detail the delicious meal you'll have following the photo shoot, or give a high five.

    3. For caring candid photos, give someone a hug or lean in and whisper and tell them how much they mean to you.

  3. If you're with a lover:

    1. EVEN MORE POINTS OF CONTACT!!! To keep things looking natural, interact or embrace in ways you already naturally do. When you pick up your partner at the airport and you haven't seen each other in weeks, how do you collide together in that moment? Or, recreate how you snuggle up to your partner when watching a movie (while standing up of course). Or, how do you slow dance together?

    2. Still need ideas? Cup your hand on their neck or cheek. Rest your head on their shoulder or chest, or, if similar height, lean your foreheads together (this feels weird, but it makes for really magical photos). Grab their lapel/collar/ass and pull them towards you (if you feel sexy doing that lean into that feeling, if you feel playful or ironic, lean into that). Do a slow dance with them, give them a spin or a dip. And when that dip almost fails miserably half-way through, crack up laughing at yourselves and that will make for an amazing photo.

  4. If you are being photographed solo:

    1. Drape hands naturally by your sides/thighs - keep fingers loose (don't ball up into a fist).

    2. Slide a hand in your pant pocket, thumb out.

    3. Slide a thumb in your pant pocket, hand out.

    4. Cross your arms across your chest. Soften this with a smile. Or make this a powerful look without smiling.

    5. Hand on a hip.

    6. Hands on both hips.

    7. Interact with your surroundings: drape an arm around the back of a bench you're sitting on, walk down some steps with your hand on the railing, etc.

  5. Try not to lean away from the camera - a lot of people do this unconsciously and it gives off the air of uncertainty along with occasionally creating a double chin. If with a partner, lean INTO them, or, if solo, take a small step forward with one foot and put your weight over your front foot TOWARDS the camera, which creates an air of confidence.



WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THE ABSOLUTE BEST PHOTOS POSSIBLE?

  1. Before your shoot practice in the mirror to study your face and find some expressions and angles that you like best. Do a "180 degree scan" (start looking to your right, hold an expression for a few seconds, turn your head more towards the center, perhaps choosing to look up or down, now look directly face on, smiling, then try not smiling, now another turn further to the left, continuing on until you've spanned 180 degrees).

  2. Bonus points if you video your scan on your phone so you can see what angles and expressions look you like.

  3. Super bonus points if you have someone hold the phone camera and watch you to help simulate the camera's "eye" on you.

  4. Laugh about it and have fun. All this practice will help you feel more comfortable and confident in front of the camera, which is actually the most important secret of taking a good portrait.

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