How can I become more natural in front of the camera?
Is there anything my partner and I can do to practice being less awkward in front of the camera? We are very shy. Or is it purely up to the photographer we pick?
Anonymous
Question Asked: 13/09/2022
Wedding Date: 28/10/2023
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Answered by: 13 Experts
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Being in front of the camera can be intimidating and nerve-wracking for many people, but with a little bit of practice, it's possible to become more natural and comfortable in front of the camera. Here are a few tips that may help:
- Practice if you are really worried about the day: The more you practice being in front of the camera, the more comfortable you'll become. Try taking selfies or practicing posing in front of a mirror to get used to how you look and feel on camera.
- Relax: Take a deep breath and try to relax before stepping in front of the camera. Remind yourself that it's okay to make mistakes or feel a little awkward, and try to focus on enjoying the experience.
- Be yourself: Don't try to be someone you're not on camera. Embrace your unique personality and let your natural charm shine through.
- Move around: Experiment with different poses and movements to find what feels natural and comfortable for you. Don't be afraid to move around and have fun with it.
- Work with a photographer you feel comfortable with: Choosing a photographer that you feel comfortable with can make a big difference in how natural and relaxed you feel in front of the camera. Look for a photographer whose style and personality you connect with, and consider scheduling an engagement or pre-wedding shoot to get to know them better before the big day.
Remember that everyone has their own unique style and personality, and there's no one "right" way to be in front of the camera. The most important thing is to be yourself and have fun with it!
Yes you can become more natural in front of the camera if you choose th right photographer. We like to make our couples feel at ease and direct them into the best backgrounds and lighting and then enable them to focus on each other rather then the camera. This varies though the day because Ceremony and reception is usually viewed by family and guests so being shy can sometimes be daunting for some of our couples. Its important to choose someone that works with People well and also check out their reviews especially the ones that are shy couples.
As much as it is funny to admit, I can still get awkard when you stick a camera (or an iPhone for that matter) in front of my face because it isn't 'natural'. The million and one things going through our heads when anyone shoves a camera in front of us tends to be:
"What are my hands doing"
"Is this pose okay?
"Do I look awkward"
"Let me see that photo you took"
Personally, I think it's all about the chemistry and trust you have with the person behind the camera. If you are wearing something you feel beautiful and feel relaxed, I'm sure you will look amazing in those photos!
I will often times find myself doing dramatic breathing exercises with my clients and I will usually say, "breathe in", as I go up onto my toes and then "breathe out" as I go back down to my heels. Everyone feels awkward doing it but I often find I get the best and most natural photos of my clients after they do this and often times it leaves everyone laughing!
If you are nervous about your wedding photos, I think getting out into nature and doing an engagement photoshoot with your partner is a fun way to build your confidence up!
Hope this helps!
Be the natural you and enjoy your big day to the fullest and be comfortable. We can capture the best of you when you live in that moment
It's easy, with me I will guide you on where to look and what do do during the bridal shoot so that you will have a relaxed looking editorial outcome . I also ask you to not look worried as most things on the day are organised so you may as well enjoy every moment.
(101) · Tamworth NSW Based - Travelling Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Central Coast, Blue Mountains and beyond
Posted: 2/01/2023
You NEED an experienced photographer to help you with this for sure! You can practice your first dance if you are doing one, that makes for great photos, keep things moving, walk holding hands, look at each other, tell each other something silly in each others ears to create some laughter, rub noses etc all these promts at the time you feel awkward will help you feel comfortable and create natural photos. An in experienced photographer will make things worse for you on the day when the anxiety kicks in for you. Choose wisely so it is a fun experience and your results are AMAZING :-)
Most people are "photographers", but it takes a very special "photographer" to be a director on set! Be sure you use a photographer that adapts to your personality / "vibes" and highlights your strengths!
Good Question! You might be surprised to hear it, but actually MOST couples feel this way and can be a bit anxious about it. There are some simple tips and tricks that a good professional photographer can share with you ahead of time, so that you can feel more confident and comfortable in front of their camera, and in working with them. That's why at West Coast Weddings we offer a complimentary Engagement (Pre Wedding) shoot for all our couples. That way they can be much more relaxed, confident and comfortable on their wedding day - that together we have got this!
I actually have this question asked frequently by my clients!
The less you think about how awkward you may look in front of my lens, the more natural you are portrayed in an image.
I beleive being yourself is key - my approach is very authentic, i give direction where needed but it's really about letting your true self around your significant other shine through by good banter & affection. You'd be surprised what can be acheived just by being yourself around your partner.
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First thought is: the more you do it, the easier it is. By the end of the wedding day, you'll have relaxed a lot in front of the camera.
Second thought: posing people to look good (and natural) is part of our job. So, yup, the photographer is a big part of it...
Third thing to bear in mind is it's part of our job to weed out the dodgy photos! So, I think one important element of this is trust. Trust your photographer to get a billion photos, and to get natural-looking photos. Don't be afraid of getting bad shots. Be open to trying whatever and to experiment, and if it doesn't work, the bad photo is just one "delete" button away. One photographer friend of mine does this thing where he says to brides/bridesmaids: I'm going to count to ten, and on each count, think of a new silly pose. And then he just does it, and if the photos don't work, so what, plenty of more photos through the day. But usually there's at least a few good photos in there.
Another thought is connection with your photographer. To give an example, one photographer I know takes documentary-style shots of different environments. He might got to an old people's home, or a hospital, or a restaurant, and he spends more time than I'd be comfortable with just chatting to people, before he picks up the camera. But then, when the time comes to picking up the camera, the subject is more relaxed. It's like when your friend takes a photo of you. To translate this into a wedding environment, I guess pick a photographer with whom you have a rapport, and just chat with them over the day. It'll make them more relaxed as well!
The last thing I wanted to say is that being more natural is one of the key things that actors learn. They train and go to acting school for years to learn this one thing! How to be more natural in front of the camera. How to be un-self-conscious. And different acting schools have different answers. For instance, some solutions are:
-- Put all your focus and attention on your scene partner (in this case, your husband/wife).
-- Concentrate on an action or activity. Actors in movie scenes aren't usually idle. You know, they're cooking at the same time as talking, or fighting aliens, or pretending to play a musical instrument, or whatever. They have some task. And when their minds are focused on that task, that takes some of the attention off themselves.
-- Release the nervous tension in your body. Take a few deep breaths. Thinking through your body from your facial muscles, to your shoulders, down your arms, legs -- relax anything tense.
-- And then a lot of it is sort of about being present, in the moment, and, as actors put it, being in your body rather than in your head. Stop thinking so much. Direct your attention to physical sensations and to the environment around you. I mean, that's basically what people do when they're by themselves and being natural anyway! They don't worry about how they'll look in front of a camera.