Taking the Best Portraits: How To Act in Front of The Camera

Don't.

You have an outfit picked out and you're so excited for your photos. But you're really nervous. I hear you. There's a reason I'm behind the camera instead of in front of it *wink*. For real though, I want you to be yourself. And this is why I prefer to shoot lifestyle sessions - unposed, interactions with the people that you love. For me, photos aren't about everyone smiling and looking at the camera. The photos I want to capture tell real life, and sometimes that's happy and sometimes that's silly and sometimes that's sad. Because that's life.

I often tell my clients that they're going to feel really awkward, but I also make sure they know that I'm going to guide them through that, and if that means telling #dadjokes, or asking you to whisper your grocery list in a sexy voice, then I'm game. Because what comes from that awkward laughter are photos of genuine emotion, real human connection and a sense of who you are. If it means that you're moved to tears and we get a little bit of that, then that's OK! How many times have you convinced yourself you're an ugly crier? Let's change that story.

Get to know your photographer. That's why it's so important to me that we meet before your session for a coffee or a beer or tacos. Or if burritos are your thing, that's fine. The worst thing you can do is put pressure on yourself to make photos that aren't authentic. And the most powerful photos never came from everyone sitting pretty and smiling for the camera. There is always a time and place for posed photos, but they shouldn't take up the majority of our session. So come prepared to have fun with the people you love, and let me capture THAT.

Trust me when I say that we all have the same goals when shooting your session.

If you're too worried about that other guy in the photo looking at the camera, you're missing the point. And you're probably missing the photo too. Allowing someone to see you from their perspective is the ultimate trust. You're letting them see you as you are. Do you. This is paramount. You're beautiful; we all are. But you are uniquely you, and bring this magic to the session that no other client before you has brought to the camera. (We're getting deep, y'all.) You want someone to show you that. Because at the end of the day when you glance up and see that amazing photo on your wall, you want to remember what a great day you had. You want to re-ignite how amazing you felt. You want to feel connected to where you were at that point in your life. And you want to remember your life as you lived it, not by everyone looking at the camera and smiling their camera smiles.

So. Now you've got your outfit ideas, you have your session booked, and you're ready to take action. And maybe you still feel a little nervous. But if you've made it this far, and any of this has hit home, I'm willing to bet you're on the way to making some seriously sweet photo magic with your photographer. Get out there and be your weird self!

And if you wake up tomorrow and still feel nervous and wanna hop on a skype call and work through your worries, I'm down.

xox Sandy

#tips #corevalues #love