From Camera-Shy to Camera-Ready: Six ways I help you feel confident in photos
Booking a family photoshoot can feel like a big decision, especially if you've never done it before. You might be wondering if it's really worth the investment or if you'll feel awkward posing in front of a camera.
One thing I want you to know is that I completely understand that it may feel unnatural to have your portrait taken. I realise that not everyone is comfortable with the idea of being photographed and that many people would avoid it at all costs if they could!
Let me reassure you though. You're doing the right thing by booking a family photoshoot with me, even if you are camera-shy.
My family portrait sessions are completely relaxed, and I pride myself on my ability to make even the most reluctant of people – whether children or adults – feel comfortable in front of my camera. The results will be well worth it too, I promise you!
In this blog post, I'll offer some tips to help you prepare for your family portrait session so that you can not only look confident in photos but also have a fun experience!
Dislike having your portrait taken? You’re not the only one!
It may reassure you to know that many of the people I photograph tell me that they don’t feel confident in front of a camera.
Usually, family sessions are arranged by Mum, and often Dad isn’t keen on being photographed but is reluctantly cajoled into it by the rest of the family. Or sometimes it’s the Mum who isn’t so keen. Every family I photograph is different.
Children aren’t always confident in photos either. While toddlers and young children are generally happy to be photographed (perhaps because they are less aware of what’s happening around them), some older children, pre-teens and teenagers can be less so.
Even the most initially hesitant mums, dads and kids soon come to realise though that a family portrait shoot with me isn’t as bad as they feared, and it can even be fun.
If you’re not keen on the idea of having your portrait taken, don’t worry. A family photoshoot with me isn’t about awkward posing and forced smiles. My style of family portrait photography is far more relaxed and natural!
How I help you to feel camera-ready and look confident in photos
There are several things I do to support and reassure you before a family photoshoot. These have proven over the years to be particularly useful for those who are camera-shy and who don’t feel confident in front of a camera.
1. I tell you what to expect from your family photoshoot
In advance of every family photoshoot, I spend time with you – either in person or on the phone – and together we discuss the plan for the time we are to spend together. I tell you what to expect and suggest how the session will likely pad out.
Naturally, we will also chat on the day of the photoshoot, before we get started, so there are plenty of opportunities to ask questions of me or to raise any concerns.
2. I get to know you beforehand
Before your family portrait session, I also get to know a bit about your family and the individual personalities.
That’s because, if I know a little about you all, I can use that knowledge during the shoot to create personality-packed photos that I know you’ll love.
“Andrea has done some really beautiful family photos. We couldn't be happier. We'd never had professional photos taken before and our daughter who is quite shy wasn't keen. Andrea immediately put her at ease and made the whole process a really fun experience. We are so happy with the results which really capture Lucies personality. Thanks so much.”
Cat, Boston Spa
3. I give helpful suggestions on how to prepare
I also share tips on what to wear and how you can all prepare for the session. For example, when it comes to clothing ideas for a family photoshoot, I suggest you try to wear colours that work well together, and up to a maximum of three cohesive shades ideally across the family.
Related reading: Spring photoshoot outfit ideas
I also always recommend that you wear clothes that make you feel good; for some that might be something new and quite fancy, and for others, it might be their favourite pair of jeans. This is worth mentioning because when you choose clothes that make you feel and look good, you’ll be more relaxed and appear more confident in your portraits on the day of the photoshoot.
There are also other things that you can do beforehand, such as getting your hair done, that will boost your self-confidence on the day.
Related reading: How to prepare for a family photoshoot
Being outdoors may also make you feel more relaxed. I offer both studio and outdoor family photoshoots, so I would advise that if you would feel more confident out on location rather than in a photography studio, then bear that in mind when choosing what type of session to book.
Certainly, young children love the freedom of an outdoor photoshoot, although if you have toddlers or young babies I would generally suggest an indoor studio shoot since they are kept within a safe and confined space!
Related reading: My favourite locations for an outdoor family photoshoot in Leeds
“Andrea was really lovely when she took family photographs for us. She sent thoughtful information when planning it, really helped our children to relax and smile on the day and was also very helpful going through the options afterwards. Her photos are lovely and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.”
Becky, Leeds
4. I encourage you to think of it as a family adventure (rather than a photoshoot)
I also encourage you to think of the photoshoot as more of a family adventure than anything else. Your child (or children) will undoubtedly feel more relaxed if they think I’m just a friend joining your playtime in the woods or the park.
Related reading: My favourite locations for an outdoor family photoshoot in Leeds
(By the way, this is a great way to explain to younger children in your family what we’ll be getting up to, and will help put them at ease).
I do not advise that you put pressure on kids to behave well and sit still, or to make them think that this is a special occasion and so they need to be on their best behaviour. I certainly don’t expect that and would much rather they be themselves.
Similarly, during the family portrait session, the focus will be on us exploring and playing together, so please don’t worry if your children are running around! It’s in those moments where they are being themselves when I can get a glimpse of their personality, and it’s this I want to capture in photographs.
As a parent myself, I know that this is what you will want to remember and look back on in the years to come.
Ultimately, your children don’t need to pose or be too aware of what I am up to!
"I cannot recommend this lady enough! When I arrived with my children I didn’t think that I would be leaving with absolute certainty that my pictures would be incredible. Andrea didn’t rush them and she had the patience of a saint. My 1 year old took charge and didn’t cooperate with anything that Andrea had planned but she was still able to create some amazing photos by totally following her lead. Andrea also insisted that me and my partner were included in some of the photos which I was very hesitant about but I will be forever grateful for that. These are photos that I will always cherish.Thank you so much!”
Becky, Wetherby
5. Act naturally
In my view, the key to an enjoyable family photoshoot is for everyone to be as relaxed as possible. You might think that I want you to act in a certain way but I’d just rather you acted naturally.
As I’ve already mentioned, during the shoot, I will encourage you and your children to play around together as you would if I wasn’t there. I’ll invite you all to chat amongst yourselves, and to interact and behave in a way that is effortless and spontaneous.
"Andrea made us feel very relaxed and comfortable when having the photos, her attention to detail and the way she has captured the moments is wonderful - photos and memories to treasure forever. Thank you Andrea!”
Anne Marie, Boston Spa
6. Forget I’m there and just focus on the children
If acting naturally in front of my camera still proves tricky though, another great tip I say to my clients is to focus on the children rather than on me.
I find that camera-shy parents feel more confident during a photoshoot when they realise that the focus is primarily on the children, not them.
While we will get some relaxed interaction with you, mum and dad, a family photoshoot is largely about photographing the children, so you needn’t worry about having to be the star of the show!
If you or your partner are feeling nervous about the photoshoot, the best thing you can do is to try to forget that I am there. Yes, I’m asking you to ignore me!
Don’t worry about where I am or be wondering whether I am photographing you. I’d like you to spend more time looking at your child or children than at me because that’s when the magic happens.
How to look confident in photos
Hopefully, these tips have helped to reassure you that a family photoshoot is not something to dread.
I fully appreciate that not everyone feels confident in front of a camera, and I consider it part of my role as your Yorkshire family photographer to make you feel as prepared and as comfortable as possible.
What I would say is that photo confidence is possible for you, even if you don’t enjoy having your portrait taken. There are many things you can do in advance of the photoshoot to prepare, and great preparation is a surefire way to feel and look confident. If in doubt, just relax and be you!
Book your portrait session today
I would love to hear from you if you are considering a family photoshoot. I help clients based in Leeds, Harrogate and York and the surrounding areas.
Please visit my family portraits page for more details about my family sessions and look out for my mini portrait sessions – I run a limited number of seasonal mini sessions in Spring and Autumn each year.
The best way to get in touch is to complete my contact form or call me on 07762 111 818 to enquire about my availability and ask me any questions you have about the process.
Andrea
