Growing your confidence in front of the camera

Since starting my blog at the beginning of January and launching my Instagram I have started to take a lot more photos than I ever have done before! Some of these photos have had to feature me, and this is where this post has come from. Let’s rewind back to my early 20’s for a second…A time where I didn’t have a great deal of self confidence but I did have confidence in front of the camera! I joined a small local modelling agency where I took part in regular photo shoots and fashion shows. I loved getting in front of the camera, having my hair and makeup done and even strutting down the cat walk! There was no awkwardness or embarrassment, I loved every second of it!

Me back then…

Past photos of Lady Like Laura

However this has all changed. I’m now 29 (30 in July!) I have so much more confidence in myself and yet I really struggle to get in front of the camera. Whether it’s me taking a selfie or my boyfriend taking a few staged shots, I can’t help feeling really awkward! I seem to have this ‘look’, most people call it resting bitch face – I just think I look like a moody bitch that is hating life! There’s a few ways I try to over come this fear of the camera and I wanted to share them with you.

Relax

This one I find tricky as, if I felt relaxed I probably wouldn’t struggle so much! But being relaxed is key, if you’re worked up and stressed it will come through in the photo’s. So if you’re taking a selfie start off in surroundings where you naturally feel comfortable and make sure no one else is around. It doesn’t matter then what faces you pull, how many photo’s you take or how silly you feel as you’re on your own! You can then build up to a shoot where someone else takes your photos – I’m lucky as I have a very talented boyfriend who’s great at taking good pictures! The more photo shoots we do the more comfortable I am getting in front of the camera so it does get easier I promise!

Take loads of photo’s

I have found this one really helps, I’m very self critical and out of say 100 photos I will only ever find a handful I’m happy with! I pull a lot of weird faces, even when I don’t think I am, it happens! I always look back through the photos and cringe at how odd I look most of the time! So I find that taking a lot of pictures helps me pick out at least a few where I look semi ‘normal’. So get snapping, and give yourself a bit of time after where you can sit down with a cuppa and filter through all those photos to find ones that you are happy with!

Have fun

Let loose a little, have fun and enjoy it! It’s so easy to take it way too seriously and this can make you and the photos look rigid. If you’re having fun and feeling relaxed you’re going to get much better end results. Just be yourself, if you’re comfortable in certain outfits or posing in a certain ways then roll with it. You will get a more genuine finish if you are just you. And most importantly people will connect with you better because they will feel the fun and enjoyment that you are getting out of it! Let your hair down and have fun!

Just do it – don’t over think it

I over think EVERYTHING! But the best way to overcome it is to get stuck in and get started. It’s easy to sit there and think about how the photos will turn out and how you think people will perceive them but the quicker you get in front of that camera and start the quicker you can relax and have fun! I always find once I get started and start to see the pictures, I’m eager to carry on and take more. It is helpful if you have someone taking your pictures as they will naturally encourage you and direct you so I find I settle in to it a bit easier.

Me right now…

Photos of Lady Like Laura

I’m no expert at all, but I have found these thing to be really helpful and I’m slowly getting more confident in front of the camera. If you have any tips or experienced this yourself then I’d love to hear about how you have delt with it.

Lady Like Laura

x

38 thoughts on “Growing your confidence in front of the camera”

  6. ALB says:
    Reply

    Oh goodness I also overthink EVERYTHING!! It’s nice to take a step back and realize that not everything is going to be the end all be all. Thanks for posting Laura! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  9. chlodxlou says:
    Reply

    I LOVE this!!! I always feel so awkward in front of the camera when someone else is taking a pic. But I’ll deffo remember these tips when it happens next!! 😂

    Liked by 1 person

  10. gervais6 says:
    Reply

    Thanks for tips. I struggle so much with a taking pictures and I’m realizing that I need to be more present in front of the camera. I have tons of pictures of my boys with my husband and very rare to I ever get in on the picture.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. BeingChloe says:
    Reply

    This is such a great post, you’re a natural in front of the camera! I started my Instagram in January and so far there has been only one picture of me… and with a stupid snapchat filter! I’m hoping with time I’ll have more confident to show more of me on my blog and Instagram 😊 Great tips!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. thestyleitch26 says:
    Reply

    This is so me! I still feel much more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it but I might try some of your tips. Maybe if I keep at it like you say one day it’ll feel second nature to me. Thank you I really loved this 🙂 xx

    Liked by 1 person

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