Nearly all of my couples will tell me that they feel anxious about having their pictures taken and I totally get it because I feel exactly the same. It’s normal to feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, I hate having my picture taken and always look like a Deer in headlights or end up having about 6 chins. I’ve found myself scrolling through my camera roll and getting annoyed at myself for not having pictures of myself in moments I want to remember. So I’m pushing myself to be more confident this year, to pop my big girl pants on and actually take some photos of myself, not just everybody else. Here are a few tips I’ve been finding helpful…

Wear something you feel comfortable & confident in

Sounds pretty obvious but it really is true, the more confident you feel in your outfit the more that will shine through in your images.

Focus on your positives not on your negatives

This is something that will take practice and that I struggle with but try to not just think about your negatives. Yes you may feel like you look awkward or you have bingo wings or whatever else you may be self conscious about, but try to be kinder to yourself and focus instead on what you do have, such as a beautiful smile or bright blue eyes. I personally HATE my teeth but I’m trying my best not to get consumed by attempting to hide them and concentrate more about the parts of me I do love like how great my hair looks or how much I love my outfit.

Be natural & have fun.

I know easier said than done right? But honestly the more you relax, the better you will look. If you’re nervous and can’t stop giggling just embrace it! I love natural photos of people laughing so just be yourself and don’t be afraid to to get silly.

Do something or move around

A great way to distract you from having your photo taken is to do an activity. This can be anything from having a dance, walking the dog or even drinking a beer but it can really help your anxiety by focusing on what you’re doing rather instead of the lens straight in front of you. Sometimes simply shifting your weight from one leg to another or playing with your hair can make your photos seem more organic and natural.

Practice, practice, practice

Practice makes perfect, so I really recommend practicing ahead of time. This could be in front of the mirror or if you are getting married by having an engagement shoot. The more you pop yourself into those uncomfortable situations and practice, the less anxious you will feel as time goes on.

Hold a prop or sit down

One of the main problems people have when ‘posing’ for photos is not knowing what to do with their hands or their legs, a camera gets pointed at us and suddenly we forget how to use all of our limbs. I’ve had occasions in the past where photographers have had issues with my hands, so I’ve panicked about that so much that the panic I felt is written all over my face. An easy way to solve this is to hold a prop, such as a smoke bomb, a ballon, a beer, literally whatever or to even sit down.

Get to know your photographer

It’s safe to say that the more comfortable you feel with your photographer the better your photos will look. Get to know your photographer before hand my arranging a quick video meeting and follow them on social media so you know what to expect from them. The more you know about your photographers process and them as a person the less intimidating they will be. The right photographer should be your hype person, help you with what to do and ultimately make you feel confident that they will shoot awesome photos of you.

I really hope some of these little hints and tips help you feel more confident. If you have any questions or want to book a shoot with me drop me an email to charlotte@electricblueweddings.com.