How to feel confident having your photo taken for your brand photo shoot.
Do you struggle with confidence when it comes to having your photo taken?
Let’s be real, that's probably a “yes” for almost everyone. You might not believe it, but even professional models can struggle with confidence sometimes. But most of the people I work with at Self Made and Seen are not professional models. You're entrepreneurs and small business owners. And being in front of a camera can be very daunting, especially if you're not used to it.
But as small business owners, we really can't let our confidence hold us back if we want our business to grow!
We know that we need to show up for our audience and be the face of our brand. And we know how important it is to have professional images of ourselves in order to stand out and help our potential customers get to know us. So we need to find a way to face our nerves and do that brand photo shoot that we’ve been putting off.
It might comfort you to know that everyone I photograph is at least a little bit nervous before their photo shoot, and that's totally normal. But the thing I wanted to talk about today, is how most of those people, tell me after their photo shoot, that they actually felt quite relaxed and that they can see that clearly in their images. And I can't tell you how much joy this brings me every single time. Because I know that their confidence has grown and I have done my job well!
So, how do you go from nervous to relaxed? How can you feel more comfortable in front of the camera? Well here are my top 7 tips to help you feel more confident about having your photo taken and get you ready for your next brand photoshoot.
1. Get to know your photographer.
One of the most important things that will help you feel relaxed during your photoshoot is the photographer you work with. If you get along with someone, naturally you’re going to feel more at ease in their presence. But when you’re having your photo taken it’s 100% important that you feel comfortable with the person taking your picture.
A great way to check if you think a photographer will be right for you, is by having a chat with them ahead of the shoot. If they offer a consultation, this is your opportunity to check if you get along. Do they seem friendly and welcoming? Or do they give you any warning signals that you might not click?
When you have a brand photoshoot with me, I want to make sure that you enjoy the photo shoot experience just as much as you love your new photos! And that’s why I make sure we have lots of opportunities to get to know each other ahead of the shoot, through consultations & creative zoom calls. This way, you’ll feel more comfortable & confident on shoot day & your new brand photos will show it!
2. Prepare.
Preparing for your photoshoot in advance as much as possible, helps to have less to worry about on shoot day. So make sure to think about what you want to achieve and discuss this with your photographer ahead of the shoot. Prepare all your outfits and props well in advance. And make sure you leave plenty of time to get to your shoot so you’re not in a rush.
Personally, I offer planning sessions for my clients where we discuss everything in detail on a zoom call ahead of the shoot, so we know exactly what we’re aiming to achieve on shoot day. I also send every client a PDF prep guide with lots of tips about how to prepare for their shoot so nothing is forgotten or left till the last minute.
3. Be you.
Having a photoshoot might not be your typical everyday activity, but you should make it feel as routine as possible. Don’t try to be someone you're not. Wear what you usually wear and what you feel comfortable in. Shoot in a location that suits you. Do poses that you feel comfortable doing. Remember, your brand photos should show your audience who you are, and what you offer. So to make sure your images come across authentically, just be you.
4. Embrace it!
Try to think of the photoshoot as an activity. Enjoy the experience. Have fun. Don’t stress too much. And please don’t assume you’re going to hate the way you look - be optimistic! And remember, when you face your fears, they become a lot less scary. And if you embrace something, you’re much more likely to have fun!
5. Have your photo taken again & again.
The best way to make anything less daunting is by doing it over and over again. Each time you do it, it becomes a little less scary because you’re a bit more used to it. And eventually, it will become quite normal. So get in front of a camera as often as possible. Now, I’m not telling you to book a pricey professional photoshoot every month, but look out for deals like Mini Sessions or repeat client discounts (both of which I offer 😉). It’s always a good idea to update your brand images every now and then anyway and it’s useful to have relevant and up to date images for seasonal appropriate content too.
6. Fake it till you make it.
Now I’ll let you in on a secret. It might sound weird, but a lot of the time I get my clients to fake laugh. I do it with them, so that they don’t feel embarrassed. And we make weird laughs together. We do loud laughs, high pitched laughs, we laugh at random objects, and we tell silly jokes. The reason I do this is because when you fake laugh, it turns in to real laughter. And the result, is a really smiley natural looking photo. And anyone looking at the finished photo will think you look really friendly and approachable and will probably assume that you’re really confident and were having a whale of a time at your photoshoot!
7. Remember why you’re doing it.
Now this point is SUPER important and if nothing else does, this is the one that should drive you and help you through your photoshoot. Remember why you’re having your photo taken. It’s not just to get some photos of yourself that you like, it’s to be able to help your business stand out and to share what you have to offer with your potential clients. And deeper than that even, remember why you do what you do. Each of us has a special reason for starting our own business or entrepreneurial pursuit. So during your brand shoot, remember your why, and remember that these photos will be used in your marketing to resonate with your ideal clients and help you keep doing what you love!
So yes, it can be scary to have your photo taken, but each time you have a photo shoot, it will be a little less daunting. Remember why you’re doing it, prepare, embrace the experience, and just be you. And if you find the right photographer, whose visual style you love and who makes you feel comfortable, your confidence will grow. And I bet you'll also be a lot more confident to show your face across all your platforms when you have some really great professional images to share!
Do you want to feel confident in front of the camera for your brand shoot?
I’d love to help!
As your personal brand photographer, my aim is to bring out the best in you and show off your unique personality & your specific offerings through the beautiful brand images we create together.
I also want to give you more confidence to show up for the people who need your help, so you can build a strong and recognisable personal brand.
Why not book a complimentary consultation to check out if I’m the right photographer for you?
But don’t just take it from me, see what my clients have to say:
“I did a personal branding shoot with Lisa and absolutely loved how the photos came out! They're some of my favourite images I've ever had taken of me. Lisa is brilliant at making you feel comfortable and the whole process is so smooth and professional. I'm usually quite harsh on myself when I see photos of me but I instantly loved them and I think that a lot of it was down to how comfortable I felt on the day! I'd highly recommend having your brand shoot with Lisa”. - Seyda Karimpour
“Receiving my personal brand images from Lisa was like receiving a gift I got excited to open. The shoot was fun, creative and so comfortable and you could see all those aspects in the images. Lisa took time to insure the space would work well for what I needed and in line with what I wanted. The time taken in planning, prepping and executing was awesome! I definitely recommend having a personal brand shoot with Lisa!” - Dannielle Lecointe