When thinking about your photoshoot, which emotions come to the surface for you? I’m sure it’s a heady mix of excitement and apprehension… with a mix of everything else in between. For me, one of the most important things is that you feel confident and happy. Not only does it make the experience more enjoyable for you, but it also proves to you that you can, as Susan Jeffers wrote, ‘feel the fear and do it anyway.’ And nothing is more empowering than that!
So how can you feel confident before your photoshoot? Here are my top tips to help you:
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT YOUR PHOTOSHOOT
Preparing in advance for your session will do wonders for your confidence. Why? Because you won’t turn up feeling flustered and uncertain. Instead, you’ll come with a great vision for your shoot which will, in turn, boost your self-assurance.
- Do your research – Pinterest is a great place for inspiration on how to pose for your photoshoot. When you’ve found some poses you like, try them out in front of a mirror. Don’t worry if you feel a little silly – that’s normal! You’ll soon get into the swing of it and it’ll help you feel less self-conscious on the day.
- Play your favourite music – listening to certain songs that empower you will boost your self-esteem. You don’t have to sing in front of the mirror with your hairbrush, but if it helps, why not? We all need to embrace our inner Beyonce sometimes!
- Get your hair and nails done – there’s nothing like a trip to the hairdresser or beautician to boost your confidence, so if you’re feeling a little too aware of your roots or your cuticles could do with some love, why not treat yourself? You can then forget about them during your shoot and enjoy yourself.
- Have your hair and make-up styled – having your hair and make-up styled by a professional is a great confidence booster! Let the professional work their magic – you’ll not only feel pampered and relaxed going into your session, but you’ll also know you’re looking your very best.
BEFORE YOU STEP IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA
One of the important things to remember before you step in front of the camera is that we’re a team. We’ll work together to get great photos for you and I’ll be sure to give you clear directions so you feel confident you know what you’re doing. But before the camera shutter starts clicking, here are some other ways to prepare:
- Raise your energy – changing your physical state can change your mental state. Before he speaks on stage, Tony Robbins jumps on a mini-trampoline to get into the zone. You could bring your music to dance to or shake out the nerves by simply swinging your arms and bouncing up and down on your toes.
- Practice power posing – Psychologist Amy Cuddy is a body language expert – she believes it shapes who you are and how you feel about yourself. By ‘power posing’, you’re able to signal to your brain that you feel confident, even when you don’t. Doing so reduces your cortisol levels and makes you feel like a badass. So before you step in front of the camera, stand in a way that makes you feel confident – you’ll feel much more at ease with the process.
- Get support from your photographer – before and during photoshoots, I provide guidance on how to pose. From my experience, I know what works well. You can always ask me if you’re not sure and we can work together to help you pose in a way that feels comfortable for you.
Remember, no one comes to their photoshoot knowing exactly what to do and how to pose. It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous and a little apprehensive about it all (I get like this too when I’m being photographed!). But what you’ll soon realise is the more prepared you are, the more confident and relaxed you’ll feel. And you’ll get some brilliant photos as result!
