TIPS FOR PHOTO CONFIDENCE

Posted on Nov 27, 2020 By Jenni

I post alot of photos of myself online but my life wasn't always like that. For the longest time I avoided cameras and getting 'in' the photo. For decades I lacked confidence when a camera was pointed at me, I wasn't sure how to smile and always ended up scowling and of course there was the issue of body confidence.

I know most of us have felt the same, embarrassed about weight, trying not to stand out in a photo and not knowing what to do with your hands or legs...or your face!

These days I have it pretty much nailed, not because I am a supermodel but because I give less fucks about what others think and I understand we can all look different in each and every photo.

Yes, angles, lighting and stance play a part in how the photo will come out but so does confidence. When we are confident it oozes from us and we just glow in a photo.

We can overcome fear, we can change, it's all about perception and how we choose to view things.

If you're not so confident and wanna run the other way when someone pulls out a camera then read on because I have some tips for a better photos and feeling comfortable in front of the camera. They worked for me and might just work for you too.

Top tips for a better photo

-Breathe in and exhale as you smile releasing tension. Just let all the tension release, get comfortable and curl up the corners of your mouth.
-Work with what you have. Don't wish yourself to be something you're not, embrace what you have. Know you're best asset/s and work them.
-Think happy. You know if you're shitty and moody it's going to show so think happy thoughts and they will shine through.
-Stand slightly sideways. Standing a little side on will give you a better pic. Having said that I take a better pic front on...go figure. Find your best side ( we all have one) and work it. Try playing with foot adjustment too, I naturally stand with one knee bent in a photo and drop a hip and it works for me. You could try crossing your legs or casually cross your feet tucking one behind the other.
-Stand up straight, head and shoulders back and relax your shoulders, we don't want them up around your ears. Good posture not only gives you a better silhouette but also helps eradicate the extra chins and body rolls.
- Shoot higher rather than lower. Try pointing the camera at eye height or even a little higher. If you have monster height kids like me that take your pics they might need to adjust. Sometimes their natural photo taking height is too high and I can end up looking like I have no legs.
- SMILE. Just curl up the corners of your mouth and smile.
- Unless you're happy to have a glass of alcohol or handful of food in every pic, put it down.
-Place one arm on your hip. This will give you something to do with your arms and with the correct hand placement you can draw in your waist. YAY :-) It can also stop your arm looking massive as it disconnects from your body.
-Use a prop. A handbag, baby, flowers...whatever. A prop can help tell a story, add life to a pic and just give you something to do with your hands.
- Use natural lighting where possible. Natural lighting is always going to give you a beautiful shot.