It’s no secret that many, MANY people feel nervous when they think about having their photo professionally taken. There are so many decisions to make and questions that don’t have a definitive answer: what will I wear? Will I look stiff? What happens if it rains? What if I see something that I don’t like about myself when I look back at the photos?!
A few months ago, I took a poll of my followers on Instagram, asking what made them most nervous when it came to having their photo professionally taken. There were so many amazing (and hilarious!) responses, but today I wanted to share the top eight concerns that came up again and again, and address how each of those could potentially be solved!
The point of this article is most definitely not to diminish any of the concerns anyone might have while having their photo taken – my hope is to provide an alternative perspective (as someone who’s been behind and in front of the camera), as well as some potential solutions to these common nerves!
Things you might be nervous about:
1. Worried about having onlookers or too many people around?
Choose a location with less people around! If you’re having your photos taken in a city, there will naturally be a lot more people around – but choosing a small park or more secluded area will mean less people, and less on lookers!
If you’re having your photo taken in a city, don’t forget to at least check to see if there are any sports games, festivals, or concerts happening in the area your session will be taking place at! Here in Pittsburgh, we have three major sports teams, and when any one of them has a home game, it’s a must to stay away from that general area!
Opt for a morning timeslot instead of an evening one. Most photographers who shoot in “natural light” will schedule appointments either within the two hours after the sun rises, or in the two hours before the sun sets (when the daylight is easiest to manage and at its prettiest!). I’ve found that more people are out and about leisurely in cities and parks in the evenings, opposed to the mornings. One thing to consider, however, is that some locations are better (or more photogenic) in evening light versus morning light, so make sure you talk with your photographer about if a morning or evening slot would be better for your chosen location!
2. Worried about not knowing what to expect, or having to come prepared with ideas?
The great news is: your photographer is your BEST source for figuring out what to expect! If you have any questions, just ask! Many photographers will have information about their approach to sessions on their website or their social media platforms, so don’t be afraid to do a little research yourself!
If your photographer doesn’t provide any specific ideas for what to expect beforehand, make sure you take some time to look at the work on their website, blog, and social media channels. You’ll start to get a feel for what poses they like to use, and what expressions they coax from their subjects. Having an idea of what the final product could/might be can make a huge difference!
You can also ask your photographer beforehand if you should come prepared with any ideas. Most photographers will guide and direct you throughout your session, but I’ve heard of some who say “just go be yourselves!” and then let the client do the work. That would be quite intimidating for people who aren’t used to being in front of the camera!
3. Worried about choosing the wrong outfits and regretting it later?
I have a couple of blog posts (Click here, and here!) that give some additional information for how to choose outfits for your session, but if you’re nervous about choosing outfits that you will regret later, here are some of my best tips:
Go for classic looks. Classic looks never go out of style and stand the test of time! For women, an A-line dress paired with some sort of heel is almost always in style. For men, a close-toed shoe with fitted pants and a blazer is always a great choice!
Make sure it “feels” like you. Whatever that means for you… make sure the outfits “feel” like something you would actually wear! Now, that doesn’t mean that you should wear your old t-shirt and 10 year old jeans (sorry!), but it does mean that if you are the type of person who never gets “super” dressed up, don’t feel like you have to get super dressed up for your photos! You can certainly kick it up a notch, but you don’t have to look like a completely different person or sacrifice your personal style in the process.
Make sure whatever you choose is flattering to your shape! Sometimes, oversized sweaters, shirts, and/or dresses (particularly those that don’t accentuate the waist or any part of your figure) can actually add weight on camera.
When it comes down to it, there’s no way you’ll know for sure whether you will love or hate the outfits you chose for your photo session ten, twenty, or even thirty years later. Make the best choice you can in the moment, and trust that, no matter what you choose, the outfits you DO choose represent you at this time in your life!
4. Worried about the rain?
Living in Pittsburgh means that rain can be a real threat when it comes to taking photos outside! So, how oh how do you handle things when it looks like it might rain the day of your session?!
There are basically two options: work with the rain, or reschedule! If you decide to work with the rain, you’ll most likely want at least some photos where you aren’t directly in the rain or holding an umbrella. The key: look for locations with natural light that are out of the rain. This could be as simple as finding a large (or small) covered outdoor area (Mellon Institute columns and the David Lawrence Convention Center are popular rain spots in the Pittsburgh area because they have large amounts of natural light AND are covered!). Or, you could use a clear umbrella (clear umbrellas work best cause they let in the most natural light!) to get some shots in areas that do not have an overhang!
5. Worried about seeing things about yourself that make you feel self-conscious?
We all have things we’re self-conscious about when it comes to how we look. The biggest piece of advice I could give when it comes to this worry is to communicate your insecurity with your photographer. It might feel weird, embarrassing, or awkward – but, while some insecurities might be more obvious, others might be more in the beholders eye. I personally always appreciate when a client communicates an insecurity so that I can be EXTRA mindful to pose them or move them in a way that minimizes what they’re worried about.
6. Worried about looking heavy, or being seen from unflattering angles?
So much of this comes down to how a person is posed and the angle from which they are photographed. Certain angles are less flattering, while others are more flattering. For example, shooting from below someone’s eye line or face (with the camera pointed up towards the subject) usually exaggerates features from a negative point of view – the jaw line, hips, thighs, etc. Shooting from a slightly higher angle creates a more flattering silhouette, slimming the face, jaw, hips, and other body parts. Whatever is closer to the camera will appear larger; whatever is further away will appear smaller. Photographers aren’t trying to distort truth by doing this, they’re just trying to find the very best way to flatter their subjects!
Posing is another huge piece of the puzzle. Naturally, there are some poses that are more slimming, and some that are not. Part of the reason why I’m not solely a candid photographer (or, someone who constantly gives movement prompts without any posing at all) is because good posing is VERY flattering – and people want to look good in photos! It’s as simple as that. The key, for me, is to strike a balance between helping people look good, but feel natural. Because of this, my approach is not purely candid nor purely posed – it’s a combination of both!
7. Worried about looking too posed, or not natural?
And this next question perfectly flows from the last! The two biggest worries I’ve heard when it comes to people having their photo taken is the fear of looking too “posed” or “unnatural.” The great thing about living in the era we currently live in is that you can go online and see TONS of samples from (almost) any given photographer. So before you decide on who you want to photograph you, make sure you are familiar with the photographer’s style so you can determine who might be too posey for you – I think the answer is truly different for everyone!
8. Worried about your significant other hating the experience and/or being mad the whole time?
I know for a fact that this is a big one for couples who are looking to have engagement, anniversary, or wedding photos taken! Even if you can avoid engagement photos or anniversary photos, chances are you’re going to have one heck of a hard time getting out of wedding photos, since it’s one of the biggest decisions in your life and one of the most important days you’ll have! And who wants to be mad on their wedding day?!
You HAVE to do your research for this one to know how the photographer you’re hiring will pose, move, and interact with your during your shoot. Liking the photographer’s work is so important, but it’s almost equally as important to read reviews about other people’s experience or see the photographer in action for yourself. Is the photographer awkward or enthusiastic? (I guess you could be both! ;) ). Do they pose their subject meticulously, or fluidly? Do they want to get you two interacting and having fun together? All of these questions are important to ask, because they’ll give you an indication of how much fun you could have during your session and how comfortable you will be!
Are there any other nervous photo concerns you would add to this list? I’d love to hear them below!
