Hate being photographed but need some great photos?
You're not alone, and I can help.
You're not alone, and I can help.
A handful.
That’s how many people I’ve come across in the past 17 years I’ve been a professional photographer who enjoy their photograph being taken. The rest: either neutral or hate it. I’ve even met models who need time to warm up during a shoot.
Not even I enjoy it. I’m okay doing selfies but having someone else point that camera at me? I feel so many different things. So I can totally relate.
For a start, I used to be super fit, running 7 miles a day and doing martial arts…and then life changed. I got arthritis in my feet and, well, middle age is creeping up on me. I don’t feel as good about my photographs as I did when I was in my 30s. Point a camera at me and I’ll squirm.
But I also know there are things we can do to make us feel better during a shoot.
I love a strategy, don't you?
Some people have a strategy. You know who they are, because they almost always look great in their photos. They just seem to know how to stand. Never pull awkward expressions. They appear relaxed.
And I can teach you a few strategies so that you feel like that too.
But before we get there, what is it about being photographed that we hate the most?
What is it about being photographed that we hate the most?
You, like me, might have a very good reason for not liking your photograph being taken.
But you don’t even need a reason.
And, to be honest, the list of reasons can be exhaustive. And when you look for a reason, you can find 10 more besides.
Here are a few:
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Feeling awkward in front of the camera.
Unless you've been brought up in front of a camera because a parent is a professional photographer, how do you really know what best to do? How do you stand? What can you do with your hands, even? -
Being Self-Conscious.
It's not every day that we have full attention directed at us. And wow can we be mean about ourselves when we see an image that's not all that flattering. -
Not being in control.
I know what I feel like when I'm not in charge of the way I'm photographed. Oh how I watch in quiet despair when they point the camera at the wrong angle. It won't be flattering, I know it won't. But at the same time, I won't suggest something better. I don't want to appear to be a control-freak. And I should trust the person taking a photograph of me, shouldn't I...? Is it the same for you?
Especially if you have time on your hands while you wait for your photographs to be taken.
It’s not like the old days. We are more visible than ever. And we need good looking portraits. It is the digital age. Whether we like it or not, we’re more connected with people than ever before.
Isn’t it better to have recent photographs of ourselves – ones that look like us – so that people can recognise us when they see us in online meetings or in person?
We can delay it all we like, but…
I hate to say this…
there is no perfect time to be photographed.
Strategies to get great photos even if you hate being photographed.
I’ve been doing this job for a long time, and I’ve got some great strategies for you to try.
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Be Prepared
Do some research and figure out some easy to go to poses that will work for you. The right ones will: Help you feel more comfortable;
Will be easy to remember when someone pops out their camera or phone
Won't look overly posed.
Stuck for ideas of where to look for this? Luckily for you, I've made a short little video for you. -
Remember: Cameras Take 2D images. We're 3D.
It's that simple. Many of the times we get an unflattering image back, it's because we've been taken at the wrong angles that flatten out our image. You know, like when we look more like blocks because we've stood with our arms close to our bodies. -
Understand that photos are subjective.
We know this because when we have a portrait of ourselves that makes us feel a bit...meh...other people might say it looks lovely.
Here's a fun fact. We're so used to seeing our mirrored-image that when we see our photograph back, it often doesn't look quite right. That's because our photo is not in the mirror format. It's how other people see us.
And psychology plays a huge factor in whether or not we like our photograph. If we're not happy in the moment we have our photograph taken. Guess what? We're less likely to like that image. Because our memory of feelings plays a huge role. -
Hire a professional.
I know. I'm biased. But hey. Even I hire a professional when I want to get great photos, even though I hate being photographed. There's something to say about confidence in someone who does this every day. Someone who knows how to take flattering images. But also - get to know your photographer. Knowing the person you'll be trusting to take your photographs will give you a huge boost. -
Feel more comfortable.
I've written about this before, but feeling comfortable starts with what you choose to wear. You can read more in my article about how to get the right LinkedIn profile picture.
Does this help?
I hope it gives you some ideas and strategies to work on so that you get great photos too.