5 tips on how to prepare for your photoshoot!

Keep reading to find out how you can calm your nerves and pump yourself up for an awesome photoshoot day!

Ok - so you’ve gotten through the hard part!

Your photo session is booked! Well done!! Now it’s time to prepare and get excited!

Trust me, your photographer is doing the same and dreaming up all the cool and dreamy shots they’re going to capture of you (or your family!).

Nervous? Scared? Worried? Don’t fret! You are not alone!

Being in front of a camera can be pretty dang unnerving and uncomfortable! Whether you’re 18 or 80, having your photo taken is an act of vulnerability and courage. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

If you’re feeling like you need a little help to kick those nerves or want to prepare yourself as best possible - then look no further! This post is gonna give you 5 tips to help you prepare for your photo session, and maybe even come out of it with a new found love for the spotlight!

Tip 1: Pay attention to your inner dialogue

Simply put, the brain believes what it’s reinforced to believe. And your thoughts have some serious POWER, beautiful friend.

If you catch yourself thinking or saying things out loud like:

“I’m so awkward".”
“I’m not photogenic.”
“This is gonna be awful.”
“I hate _____ about me”
“I look terrible in photos.”

These thoughts and inner dialogues aren’t doing you (or your photographer) any favours.

Now, it’s totally understandable to have these thoughts pass through our minds - but what we gotta watch out for is spending time believing these thoughts and giving them a bigger platform in our brain space.

Interrupt these false beliefs right in their tracks! Just like you’d interrupt a friend absolutely bagging on themselves, show up and defend yourself in the same way - with the same loyal energy!

Try to replace these negative assumptions with affirmations and wonders. Be curious and open.

Tell yourself things like:

“I am adorable and lovable even when I feel awkward!”
“My life is worthy of being documented!”
“I wonder what kind of amazing photos of myself I’m gonna have after this!”
“My face is so cute when I ______!”
“This will be an interesting experience and I’m proud of myself for having the guts to do it!”
“This is my life, and I don’t need to be anyone but myself, or impress anyone but me!”

I know it sounds lame, and maybe even fake. But there’s some serious hard evidence that your thoughts create your reality. Omar Itani talks all about this (and more uplifting life stuff) on his blog - specifically in this post here. Give it a read!

And remember, you’re investing in these photos! Don’t you deserve to give yourself the absolute best attitude you can?

Tip 2: Spend some time falling in love with yourself!

I know we’ve kinda beat the whole “Self Care” thing down to a muddled pulp - but spending quality time with yourself in a way that makes you feel good and loved is IMPORTANT.

No - this doesn’t necessarily mean a face mask or a bath (but, it could).

You know you - and if you don’t, then there’s no better time to start then now!

There’s a few things I like to do when I’m way too deep in my own head, or when I’ve lost that wonder for my own life. Choose one, or choose all three!

Dance (with no one watching).

I love (but rarely make time for) putting some music on, lighting some candles, making a tea, and dancing around my room in my underwear. But it’s so special and grounding when i do!

Sometimes I’m literally just flowing in one place. Sometimes it turns into half yoga half dancing. But I close my eyes and try to truly just be present in my body, to move around and loosen up and find a groove.

Maybe you connect to yourself through some pop or funk, (like Lizzo or Anderson Paak), or perhaps you prefer to get a little sentimental and low-key (hi Ben Howard and Bon Iver).
Get a mirror and stare into your own eyes.
Ok I know I may have lost you here for a second - and to be fair this one has some roots in a pretty good mushroom trip - but I incorporate it now into my regular (sober) days too. No - not every day okay!?

Sometimes I like to just look at myself in the mirror. I get in close to just pay some gratitude for my skin, my eyes, my eyebrows, my lips. I don’t judge them or spend time thinking about what could be different. I just try to look into my own eyes and imagine I am meeting myself. To lose sight of specific details and blemishes and just see myself as a whole dang person (or head lol).
Journal, draw, scribble, get creative.

Get your hands in there! Write some thoughts down, draw something abstract, get some clay and make some weird shapes. Try to not have any expectations and just see what comes. Getting creative reminds us that we are more than a “product” or a certain “look”.

On the blog bemorewithless.com - Courtney Carver talks about the benefits of getting creative. She talks about how getting creative actually boosts our confidence levels. This is because it gives us space to fail - and in turn reminds us that failure is OKAY, that we are safe to take a risk, and that the outcome doesn’t have to be “perfect”.

Tip 3: Plan your outfit(s).

The outfit(s) you choose play a big part in your shoot.

On one end - you want the clothing you’re wearing to match the aesthetic you and your photographer are looking to capture together. Consider this when picking out your outfit or deciding if you’d like to buy something new. You may want to incorporate certain colors, flowy fabrics, or a nice subtle print or texture.

Think of how what you wear will communicate the vibe. Something shiny and sleek is likely going to look a bit more modern and edgy. While a knit sweater or long flowy muted skirt give more of a vintage vibe.

One the other end - you don’t want the cool and aesthetic outfit to feel uncomfortable or foreign to your body and own personal style.

We have all been there - trying on a dress, a skirt, a cardigan, or a shirt - and we look in the mirror and just think “Ooof! This is NOT me.”

Sometimes - we even BUY that thing. Because we WANT it to be “us”. We want the aesthetic! I know!

But - if you show up to your shoot and you’re already nervous or uncomfortable, and then your outfit starts sticking to you - or you have to constantly adjust it - then it’s likely going to also be distracting you from being in (and enjoying) the moment.

Consider this when choosing your outfits (apply this to your whole family’s fits as well). Your session is supposed to be FUN and relaxed and an enjoyable memory! Don’t let your clothing be the thing that holds you back from that! :)

Tip 4: Find some posing inspiration.

This one is pretty straight forward. Who doesn’t love a good Pinterest scroll?!

Pinterest is AWESOME for posing and prop inspiration and to help you imagine yourself a as a subject in a photograph. Search for things like “Portrait Poses” or “Family Photo Session” and get lost in all the ideas!

Personally, I invite my clients to start a board with their inspiration and add me to it - so I can get a glimpse into how they imagine themselves being captured or some poses they’d like to try a rendition of.

Note: Please NEVER expect or ask your photographer to directly recreate an image you see on Pinterest. A pose, a vibe, a prop? Those things are all ok - your photographer will take these things as inspiration and then put their own UNIQUE spin on it.

If you’re looking at Pinterest photos that are all in a completely different style than the photographer you’ve selected, and you’re asking them to recreate the style - this isn’t gonna go well for anyone. Remember - you should be putting some thought and research into your choice of photographer - and based on that you should like (and trust) their style and images.

Tip 5: Pick a photographer that’s gonna hype you up and remember to have fun!

Ok this one MIGHT be a personal plug - after all I am your personal HYPE WOMAN!

But really it just means to pick a photographer who you feel a genuine connection with - and one who is going to give you what you need in the moment.

All photographers have their own style and approach. Some may be quiet and some may be quite vocal. Try to gauge your photographer’s personality from their branding, their copy, their instagram stories and the other interactions you can see.

I approach every new (and return client) like we’ve been friends FOREVER. Or at the least (for my more shy and reserved clients) like we are about to be friends forever. This is NOT a ploy, I honestly do consider every client of mine a friend after a session is complete!

It’s why I make sure to have a consultation call before any shoot - so that I am not a stranger to you - and so you feel more comfortable and known by the time your shoot comes.

Finally, you can let your photographer know how you’re feeling! We would WAY rather hear you say “Hey i’m pretty nervous about this” instead of silently shaking your way through your shoot and keeping your lips tightly pursed. Voicing and releasing your stress or anxiety puts it in the open and allows us to tackle it (and shake it off) together!

Whew! Congrats Human! You’ve made it through all 5 of my tips!

I hope these tips help you get out of your head and into your body, and allow you to show up to your photoshoot with self-confidence, clarity, and peace of mind!

Interested in booking a shoot with me? Head over here and fill out my contact form and we can get the process started!