5 Tips to relax before you get in front of the camera

Are you about to have photos taken? Are you worried? This article is for you!

We know how nerve wracking having headshots taken can feel. You want to make sure you look and feel your absolute best, however if you've never had a professional photos taken you might not know what to expect. Well we've put some tips together to help you as confident as possible when you walk into that studio! 

1. Ask Questions 

A great way to alleviate any tension or nervousness is to figure out what is making you anxious about your photoshoot. Are you worried about what to wear? Worried about how to pose? Maybe worried about how you will get along with your photographer? We suggest making a list of all the things that have you feeling nervous about your session and bringing them to your photographer.

Say you are worried that your face will look heavy on camera. If bring this concern to your photographer before your shoot they can tell you about their process for making images as flattering as possible. This is also a great way to see how well you will get along with your photographer, which can alleviate any tension you have about the way they will direct you during your shoot. If they are unable to answer your question confidently or are not open to questions before your session this may be an indication that they are not the right fit for your needs. 

2. Keep It Simple

When going into a headshot session, whether it be for business, acting, or anything in between, we recommend choosing hairstyles, makeup styles, and clothing styles that you know work well for you. Trying something new before a session can often add to anxiety about your shoot as you may not be confident about how it will look on camera.

If you want the added security that things will look as polished as possible, we recommend hiring a stylist for your session. They will be able to ensure your hair and makeup looks exactly how you need it so that all you have to think about is getting that great expression. 

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3. Know What You Need

You may be nervous that you will not get exactly what you need from your photoshoot. Maybe you're worried that you won't get the right expression or that the shots won't have the right feeling to them. Say you work as a freelance graphic designer and you're looking for something clean and professional but not very formal. Telling your photographer what you need can help them to guide you on what background, clothing, and expression choices will work well for your images. Or say you want to find more acting work. Knowing your type will give you the confidence to tell your photographer your goals for the shoot. That way, when you see the images throughout a session you will know what you do or do not want to work on.

4. Don't Be Afraid To Communicate 

When we really think about it, a lot of the nervousness that comes with taking headshots comes from the fear that we won't like our images. Everyone wants their photos to be flattering and confident and show them in the best light, you're making an investment after all! A good way to alleviate this worry as much as possible is to keep an open line of communication with your photographer. Don't be afraid to speak up during a session if something feels uncomfortable or if you see something that you do not like. Often people feel as if they are not qualified to question the choices their photographer is making. At the end of the day you know what makes you feel the most confident, telling your photographer will only strengthen your shots. 

Also, if your photographer does not show you the images as you are shooting, feel free to ask to see how things are progressing. Sometimes taking a look at an image and making one small adjustment will be the difference between settling for a shot or loving it. 

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5. Have Fun! 

A huge way to help your nervousness about a session is to go into your shoot excited and with an open mind, don't take it too seriously! Collaborate with your photographer, listen to some great music, and embrace feeling like a model for a day. Especially if you are shooting with a photographer you trust, who you know is working hard to get you the best images possible, we encourage you to laugh and have fun with the session. The best way to get a natural, relaxed expression is to keep the mood lighthearted. Everyone can look fantastic on camera. We mean that! If you feel happy and confident, you'll look happy and confident. One other way to have fun is to start bowling – check out Joanie's Bowling Blog to learn more about that.

So take these tips, collaborate with your photographer, and feel free to leave any questions you have about preparing for headshot sessions. Comment here or tweet us @mjbhomeent! 

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