Nervous? Top 5 Concerns Before A Session
It’s no secret many, MANY people feel nervous when they think of having their photos professionally taken. The more people I get in front of my camera, I’ve noticed a lot of the same concerns over and over. I don’t want to diminish any of those concerns, but I do want to provide some perspective and potential solutions to alleviate common nerves.
Worried about choosing outfits?
If you’re nervous about choosing outfits that you will regret later, here are some tips:
Go for classic look- classy never goes out of style. A longer dress/skirt with heels is almost always in style for women. For men, close-toed shoes with pants and collared shirt is a great choice. Make sure it “feels” like you. You don’t have to be super dressed up, but skip the t-shirt and old jeans.
Stick with neutral colors. Don’t try to be too “matchy'-matchy”. I recommend only 2 people in your family have the same color. Others can be in complimenting colors. Stay away from too much print. Solids are best.
Add layers- like a vest or blazer. Flatter your figure- avoid oversized sweaters or dresses which can add weight on camera
**All my clients receive my Portrait Style Guide which is packed with a lot of helpful tips about outfit selection for the whole family, for every occasion.
2.Worried about what to expect?
Your PHOTOGRAPHER is the best source to figure out what to expect. If you look at a photographer’s website, blog and social media channels, you’ll start to get a feel for what poses they like, and what expressions they generate in their clients. How well a photographer communicates to their client is essential to answering questions and putting their client at ease.
3. Worried about too many people around?
The amount of people around depends somewhat on your location choice. If you’re in the city, there will most likely be more people. But maybe you can choose a small park or secluded area which is probably going to have less onlookers. Photos are so common everywhere though, most people never even give it another thought when they see me taking photos during a session. People are usually curteous and give us room to take our photos without interruption.
4. Worried about how to pose?
At the beginning of every session, most of my clients are worried about how to stand and what to do with their hands. But I very quickly assure them, it’s MY job to make them look GREAT! Good posing is VERY flattering- and people want to look good in photos. I coach my clients through every pose, noting angles which are more flattering for every body type. I even ask about particular personal insecurities my clients may have so that I can be EXTRA mindful to pose them or move them in a way that minimizes what they’re worried about.
5.Worried about your significant other hating the experience?
This is a big one! Liking a photographer’s work is important, but it’s almost equally important to understand what the photographer is like in action. Awkward or enthusiastic? Do they pose the subject meticulously or fluidly? Do they want to get you interacting and having fun together? Ask these questions because they give you an indication of how much fun you could have during your session and how comfortable you will be!