Seven Tips on How to Feel Comfortable in Front of the Camera

As a photographer, it is my job to help make people feel comfortable in front of the camera in order to capture moments that my clients love. No pressure, right? After photographing tons of events and people, I’ve learned some highly effective tips for increasing your confidence in front of the camera. If you take these 7 secrets and apply them to your upcoming shoot, there’s no doubt you will be more comfortable when a lens is pointed at you.

#1 Pre-Shoot Butterflies are Completely Normal

It’s important to understand that everyone feels uncomfortable in front of a camera, especially when you want the photos to emulate the love you have for your partner. I’ve been part of thousands of shoots in a wide variety of places and settings, and every time I pull out my camera and point it at someone the same thing happens — they freeze up! This includes models and other professionals that make a living in front of the camera. Believe it or not, they get nervous too because it’s only human to become self-aware when we know we’re being watched, or in this case photographed.

I say this because I want you to know that this is completely normal to feel apprehensive being in front of the lens. You are not alone and my best advice is to embrace it. Embrace that you are not the only couple to feel this way and I encourage you to channel this feeling and transform it into positive energy that will show through during your session. We will touch more on this later, but just know almost every person I photograph is convinced they’re the worst person to step in front of the lens. Which is find of funny right? That we all assume that we’re the only ones that feel nervous, insecure, and awkward in photos but I’m here to tell you that even the people that look cool, calm, and collected have a few butterflies. The difference is figuring out how to get them flying in formation.

Even if you stop reading this right now, your only takeaway should be you’re not alone in the way you feel when stepping in front of the camera.

#2 Embrace Your Nervous Energy

Instead of letting your thoughts and nervous energy work against you, my best advice is to try making it work for you. Take the negative perception of being nervous and turn it on its head — creating a positive asset you can use to make great photographs.

The first step is realizing that negative energy is still energy! At a photoshoot, there’s nothing worse when your subject shows up with low (or no) energy. They may be tired, disinterested, or just plain uncomfortable. 

Either way, it doesn’t give us much to work with in terms of creating images that speaks volumes. The best photos on the other hand, are from sessions where my clients show up exuding energy — embracing their nervousness and all. This instantly brings photos to life and I personally believe it is the secret sauce to why some photos are so much better than others. In a nutshell, photographers have more to work with your nervous energy than no energy at all. 

So back to those pesky nerves you have during a photoshoot — be grateful for them and embrace them. You’d be surprised what this simple change in mindset can do for your energy and confidence during your session. Let your nerves fuel your energy and give you the extra pep in your step, twinkle in your eye, and your real, genuine smile. Instead of thinking “i’m so nervous about the shoot,” try thinking “I have so much pent up energy today and it’s ready to be let loose!” Although it sounds simple, this one shift in mindset can make a huge difference. Channel those nervous thoughts into gratitude for your body’s natural energy and I promise you, it will make for the best photos!

#3 Practice and Prepare

If you have an occasion coming up where you know you’re going to be photographed a lot, why not prepare by taking some pictures of yourself? This is probably the one time you’ll hear a photographer suggest to break out that cell phone and start taking some selfies!

The beauty of this is that no one has to see any of them — the pressure is off. When you’re done, you can stick them in a “never show anyone folder” or just delete them. The practice of taking a photograph of yourself creates awareness of what makes you look good in a photo. This will ultimately increase your level of comfort when being photographed. 

If you’re preparing for a monumental photo shoot, such as for your engagement or wedding, remember back on how much time you’ve spent preparing for other important events such as big meetings, vacations and the like; take some time to prepare and practice your looks to get the results you want. 

Here are a few steps to practice:

Pull out your phone and try capture yourself from different angles. Yes, even your self proclaimed “bad sides” If you’re preparing for an engagement or wedding photo shoot, get your fiancé involved and make it a fun activity!

Go through your images and see if any poses or angles jump out at you - good or bad. Think to yourself what you like and don’t like about them. Taking the time to consider this will increase your self-awareness, and in turn, your confidence when you don’t have a mirror or immediate feedback for every pose during your session. This creates more authenticity and you’ll feel much more natural with your loved one in front of my lens.

Bonus tip: if it’s a video shoot you’re preparing for, repeat the steps but try recording yourself or video calling family or friends to practice seeing yourself live on video. It’ll get easier every time, I promise!

Share this newfound insight with your photographer, it’s a great way to kick off a shoot! I personally LOVE it when someone brings me information like this, and any photographer worth their price will feel the same way; because you know what you like best which shows that you’ll be confident in front of the camera. 

#4 Chemistry and Couple Poses

Rolling of our last topic it’s important to realize not all couples are the same. This may sound like a topic geared more towards a photographer, but there’s an important take away message to be learned. After preparing for your photo shoot with your loved one it’s important to know not all couples are the same. This means that not all couples will feel comfortable kissing and showing lots of public displays of affection.

It’s really important to share with your photographer what you are comfortable doing on camera during your session. You can do this at the pre-consultation or at the time of the session.

Having said that, it is also true that not all couples are the lovey-dovey romantic types. Think about how you and your loved one met, what you do for work, and what vibe you two embody as a couple.

When looking online for inspiration, you’ll see plenty of different styles from couples that are more playful and laugh more to others that are more serious or romantic. Once you determine the chemistry you give off, you can channel this during your session.

Here are a few examples:

For a couple that is fun and active, you will likely joke around and be more active during the session. You can jump, dance with each other, look at each other and try to not speak, or simply walk toward the camera taking turns gazing at each other. All of these couple poses will create natural laughter and a sense of fun.

For a romantic couple, jumping or splashing at the beach isn’t going to look very natural. So rather try poses where one person leans into the other and you both look down at your hands, or one person can kiss the other on the forehead with their eyes closed. When you go along with the natural chemistry of your relationship, your confidence will shine throughout the session.

#5 Treat Yourself

When you feel beautiful and confident, it shows on camera. So how do you make yourself feel good the day of a photoshoot? By treating yourself the days leading up to it. As your photographer, and a Parks and Rec fan, I encourage you to “treat yo’self!”

Remember how you feel the first time you wear a brand new outfit that you love? Or the feeling after a really good facial or massage? To prepare for being in front of the camera, go above and beyond but you don’t have to break the bank to do so. Think about pampering yourself with a manicure, a facial mask, and by whitening your teeth. These things will make you feel your best, and guess what? This confidence shines through in photographs. 

I can’t think of a better way for you to show up to a photoshoot… You’ll be winning already and the camera hasn’t even started snapping yet!

Here are some additional ideas to pamper yourself (especially before your wedding!):

If possible, take a few days off work and allow yourself to sleep in an extra hour (it’s called beauty sleep for a reason). 

The days leading up to your event, hit the gym, go to brunch, relax, and immerse yourself in joy and positivity. Try meditation. I’ve found, time and time again, that there is a direct correlation between a hectic morning and tense emotions, and a bad photo shoot. 

Find a hair and make up artist that you connect with. Professionally done makeup and hair can give you a huge self-esteem boost.

#6 Fake it Until you Make it

You may have heard this elsewhere, but it’s highly applicable here too! When you find yourself feeling nervous in front of the camera - fake it. Overreact like Jim Carrey and smile wide like Julia Roberts, laugh too hard, and move around too much.

Why? Because this “faking it” and overacting can only last for so long. You’ll have created this momentum of energy and soon it will start to diminish. Then, all of a sudden the smiles are full, and no longer fake, the movements are real, and not forced, and the interactions with your loved one are genuine. 

Here’s a little photographer secret: the first photo taken will be deleted. As will the second, third, fourth, etc. Those initial goofy photos will be gone (unless you inadvertently create some candid gold), but the energy they create will be there to stay. 

I promise that if the shoot starts with everything a little amplified and over the top, it’ll quickly settle down and those forced laughs will turn into genuine smiles and emotions. 

Creating those authentic moments is more than styling the session or picking the best location for a pretty photo, it’s about establishing a connection between you and your person, as well as me and my camera. We all want you to look your best and it all starts by feeling your best and translating that into confidence! 

#7 Have fun!

Often, we are so busy thinking about the best poses or our nerves that we aren’t fully present in the moment. The thought of a photoshoot can feel awkward at first but always remember to just have fun! We’re all here to celebrate and capture the love you and your partner share for each other! So go ahead and experiment a little during the session, perhaps you saw a photo in a magazine or online that you really want to try. Go for it!

Sometimes the experimental photos become favorites for all. Allow your personality to shine through and show off your newfound confidence in front of the camera.

So there you have it — seven tried and tested techniques for taking the awful dread of being in front of the camera and using it to make stunning, emotional, and natural images you’ll cherish for years to come.