How to Calm the (totally normal) Photo Jitters
There is one thing I hear almost every single day:
“Julia… I know I need new headshots/brand photos, but I hate having my photo taken.”
Followed closely by: “I’m so nervous about this!”
If this feels familiar, let me stop you for a second.
These feelings are completely valid.
You are normal.
Almost all of my clients feel (or have felt) this way at some point in front of the camera.
It’s hard enough to be put on the spot, but throw in a camera that’s capturing you in high resolution? I mean..point to the rock you can crawl under, right?
Before you go any further, remind yourself that it’s normal to feel the photo jitters – But you shouldn’t let them stop you from doing your thing! Part of the reason the jitters show up in the first place is because you CARE. You want to do a great job and love the final product, so if you didn’t have any nerves at all I might worry that you didn’t care about the results.
So, how can you calm the jitters in order to rock your photo shoot and love your brand photos? I put together a few of my best tips to help… breathe and read, friend?
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!
I cannot stress this enough. Outside of my work as a brand photographer, I’m personally a “wing-it” kinda girl. I’ve achieved a lot by throwing things together at the last minute and hoping for the best. While this has worked in some situations, it has NOT served me well when I’ve had to get in front of the lens for my own brand shoots.
Prepare for your shoot by planning your clothing choices weeks in advance to make sure you are 110% positive you love the way your clothes fit and look. You’ll be amazed by how confident you feel during your photo shoot when you choose outfits that not only look good, but make you feel good as well!
It’s also way less stressful when you don’t have to run to the mall 24 hours before your shoot (just sayin’).
Not sure what to wear? I can help you there too. This post was written just for you!
Be Present
On the day of your photo shoot, it’s so important to be in the moment. We’ve all skimmed an email before an important event and let it completely ruin our mood. Don’t do this right before your beautiful smile needs to be captured!
Tell your loved ones/clients what you are up to that day so they can give you some space. Turn your phone to Do Not Disturb as you get ready and throughout your session.
Trust me, you’ll be so grateful you did.
Connect With Your Photographer
Forming a connection with your photographer is one of the best ways to feel relaxed and comfortable during your photo shoot. Build rapport by asking questions and sharing about yourself and your business. Let your photographer know how you’re feeling so they can help support you.
Be sure to communicate your preferred angles or anything that may make you feel self-conscious.
It’s the photographer’s job to help you feel relaxed and comfortable in a pose, so if you aren’t working with the JFP team, I’m hoping hard that your photographer connects with you and helps you out… but if they don’t make the first move, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself!
Bring A Friend
If you have the chance, bring a bestie or loved one with calming and supportive energy! Having someone else at your photo shoot can distract you from feeling like all the attention is on you.
Bonus: Loved ones know when they see your genuine smile!
Someone in the background cracking jokes, making faces or lending cues can make everything more fun. And a fun photoshoot almost always results in you being more calm and relaxed. The energy on set contributes to the final outcome!
Everything from the rapport you share with your photographer or friends, to the environment, affects the vibe of the shoot. Keep this in mind when you are choosing your location and deciding who you want to have around during your photo shoot.
Take The Edge Off
If you need that drink, bring it. There, I said it!
Sometimes having a drink can psychologically take the edge off. Now… don’t go crazy. You don’t want to end up with sleepy eyes or turn a professional shoot into something silly, but I’ve seen first-hand how even a few sips of wine have helped my clients relax and enjoy their shoot. And if you’d rather not risk having a drink before your photo shoot, you can always reward yourself after! ;)
I hope these tips help you feel better and calm your photo shoot jitters! The JFP team loves making people, brands, and businesses feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. If you need to refresh your headshots or update your brand photos, click here to tell us about yourself and how we can best serve you.