Here are my four top tips on how to feel confident in front of a camera.
Gabriella Cilmi making all the right moves during our portrait session, leaning forward, her hands are active and her chin is pointing towards the camera.
If you are gen X like me, it's tough to feel confident when having your picture taken. We grew up with our parent's SLRs; they took forever to set the camera up, they had to make sure the light meter was in the middle, it was hard to see etc. I remember smiling so broadly for my Mum, and she would take forever. My smile would start to fade, and she would say smile more. It felt so forced, and I have found this hard to shake even as I have gotten older. But after being a photographer's assistant, I learnt a few tricks. I have worked with Caroline Murphy, Milla Jovovich, Sarah Murdoch and Elle Macpherson, so I have seen some moves in my time. I even had to stand in as a cover model when assisting! I have dug out this little beauty for you to see. I remember feeling pretty awkward at the time, but I don't look like I'm feeling that way, and that's down to some excellent direction from a great photographer.
Anyway, I will share what I have learnt over the past twenty years. Hopefully, by the end of this, you will have options up your sleeve to help you feel more confident and comfortable in a photo.
My first and ONLY cover as a model! Photo by Tim Bauer
1. Breathe
First things first, where would you be without your breath? You can't do anything if you are breathing. I know I tend to hold my breath when taking my photo (again, it's a hangover from when I was a kid having a smile and my breath). If you aren't breathing, you freeze up and look wooden; it's also a great way of being present. So take some deep breaths in and ground yourself into the moment. I know I sound woo-woo but trust me, it works.
2. Find a spot for your hands.
Please don't leave your hands hanging beside you; they can look dull and lifeless. Because it's hard to explain in words, check out my video giving some options on what to do with your hands. Don't make a fist; keep them moving if you are tense. Hands stick out in a photo if you aren't using them, so try your pockets under your chin. If you are sitting down lightly crossing them, don't tuck them under your elbows. You end up losing them.
Here I am on TikTok, giving my audience ideas on what to do with their hands when they have a portrait taken.
3. Keep moving
I always give my subjects a good pep talk before I start shooting. It seems essential at the time, but once the camera prompts you to tend to forget all the tips. Everyone feels comfortable differently, but a great way to start is to distribute your weight onto one leg. Then try to put your weight on the other leg, then move your hands. If you stand still for too long, you become stiff, and it shows. I love to keep the chat going as it makes people feel more comfortable, and you can see it in the final product.
4. Lean forward.
Never lean back or tip your head back when your picture is taken. You will end up with a pinhead and a big waist! Your chin should be a laser beam to the lens. Never tip your chin up too high you will be all neck and no eyes. I always tell my clients to stick their bum back as the Kardashians do; this is how they have such tiny waists and big eyes in their photos. Google it!
It's all down to practising, so practice before you have a shoot at work or if you have booked a photography session. Have you tried some of my tips? Have they worked for you? Let me know here. I always love hearing from you.
Katie
