I’m so passionate about capturing natural, expressive photography – but there’s one thing about my job that makes me sad. It’s the fact that well over 90% of the wonderful people I photograph tell me before our shoot that they hate having their photos taken. In all honesty, I don’t actually know many people who truly love being in front of the lens.
Family photography is an incredible asset to have when it comes to preserving important milestone for you and your family. Children change from year to year and hiring a family photographer will enable you to capture moments in time you will love looking back on years from now.
Throughout my many years as a family and newborn photographer, I’ve gained lots of valuable insights into how to relax when a camera is snapping away. There are a few sure-fire ways to feel good in front of a camera – and if you follow these simple steps, you’ll be posing like a pro in no time, honestly!
These tips are aimed towards my branding clients but are also very relevant for the lovely parents I photograph at my family shoots too.
My 5 top tips to relax and feel good in front of the camera:
1. FIND THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER
We’ll start with the most important factor: the photographer. Finding the right branding photographer can make or break your experience. It’s so crucial you find someone you feel comfortable with to ensure you’re in safe, experienced hands for your shoot.
The right photographer should make you feel totally at ease, instantly get your branding, and know how to pose you into plenty of flattering positions. They should also provide you with plenty of information prior to your shoot so you know what to expect.
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION FOR YOUR SHOOT
Location is key. Some people have a natural affinity for the great outdoors, whereas others feel far more energised by the buzz of corporate city locations.
Your shoot location is going to be the backdrop for all your photographs, so it’s important it reflects your business and values. It’s more than that, though – your chosen location should convey your personality and make you feel totally at ease.
If the thought of having people watch you being photographed fills you with dread, consider having it from the comfort of your own home. Our homes are our sanctuaries and the places we feel most ourselves, so this could be the key to feeling at ease during your shoot. Ask your photographer for shoot location ideas, too. They might know some hidden spots and secret secluded spaces where you won’t feel too exposed!
3. USE PROPS
Feel a bit uncomfortable when posing for photos? Your photographer should be a whizz at giving you plenty of simple, relaxed poses to do – but even then, you might still feel a little awkward.
One of the best ways to shift any discomfort is to give your hands something to do. Props are a great thing to base poses around, give you something to look at, and take a little of the focus away from you. Great prop options that work for most family sessions shoots a blanket, a bench and the environment. Your family and newborn photographer will come up with plenty of prop ideas that fit in with your shoot and reflect your family. And yes, your four-legged friend can work perfectly as a prop!
4. KEEP IT MOVING!
A common misconception about photoshoots is that once you strike a pose, you have to awkwardly freeze there while the photographer snaps lots of images.
Don’t worry – this isn’t actually the case.
In fact, movement is encouraged! Moving your body and flowing between natural poses is the best way to create really authentic candid images. Even the most experienced editorial supermodels keep it moving in their shoots, shifting between poses constantly while the photographer works their magic.
Bringing relaxed movement into your body is the perfect way to release all that nervous energy, resulting in vibrant and dynamic photographs.
5. LASTLY….ENJOY YOURSELF!
We’ve focused on some of the negative feelings that can arise when you’re having your photo taken, so I want to end on a positive note.
Don’t forget to actually have fun! A branding photoshoot is such an enjoyable experience. It’s a little bit of time completely dedicated to you and showcasing how wonderful you are. Beautiful photographs can help increase your confidence, elevate your business and attract your dream clients – what’s not to love about that?
If your photoshoot is full of natural smiles and authentic laughter, this will shine through in the final photographs.
Here are more blog posts in different locations in Toronto both outdoors and in-studio showing why you should hire a photographer to capture your beautiful family.
Family photo shoot at Scarborough Bluffs
Family and maternity photos at Scottsdale Farm
Family and cake smash photo shoot at Mint Room Studios
Family and cake smash photo shoot in The Solarium Studio
Family photos at The Evergreen Brickworks
HOW TO BOOK
There are a few ways you can book. You can book right online using this tab which leads you to my online booking calendar. However, not all available dates are on that calendar so if you need a different date, send me an email! You can reach me at hello@anchorstudio.ca
Anchor Studio Photography specializes providing a full service experience that starts with booking your session and ends with getting beautiful tangible heirloom products being displayed in your home. My style of soft, candid and timeless photos can be seen in all my maternity, newborn, child and family portraits in Greater Toronto Area, including Oakville, Mississauga, North York and Richmond Hill. If you are interested in booking a portrait session for your family, you can click here to book your session. I am now booking sessions for 2023 so don’t hesitate to get in touch soon!
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