How to Feel Comfortable in front of the Camera
We get it; being in front of the camera makes people uncomfortable. We hear it every week, "I am not photogenic!" or "I don’t take good pictures."
Our job is to make you look your best and that starts with more than just a nice shirt. It is just as much mindset as it is anything else. You want your photos to show off your family in their best light, and we want to make sure you are portrayed the best way possible.
Here are a few of our suggestions on how to feel more comfortable and confident in your family session.
1. Wear what makes you feel confident.
The best family photos are the ones that make their subjects look coordinated and happy. Coming into a session with the mindset that you dislike getting your photo taken or that you "don’t take good photos"will translate into average photos. We want top shelf, not average.
A great way to come in confidently is to wear something that makes you feel that way. That could be a certain pair of shoes, a certain piece of jewelry, or even the right underwear (seriously, that’s a thing). If you believe it on the inside it will show on the outside, and if it takes a certain piece of wardrobe to help bring it out, then that’s what it takes. This works the same for each family member!
2. No Sabotaging Yourself!!!
You know that inner voice that says, "Ugh. I just don’t look my best. I don’t look like I used to. I don’t take good photos." TURN IT OFF. We have a studio policy that strictly forbids you from talking like that once you are at the session, so best get that mentality out now.
We are all our own worst critic and know every little thing about ourselves that we think everyone else sees or dwells on. The truth is: most times we are the only one that notices or thinks about it. Everyone else sees the person you are and not the imperfections.
When getting ready for your session, try giving yourself some self-love talk instead. If you need to write a mantra on the mirror and say it several times a day to hammer it home, do it. Do your best to not let that inner voice call all the shots, because it doesn’t know what it’s talking about.
3. Prepare
Looking your best takes preparation. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before your session. Drink lots of water in the days leading up to your session. Iron those clothes to make sure they are in tip-top shape.
If you are looking to get a haircut before your session, make sure to do so at least 3-4 days beforehand to give it time to settle and you time to get used to it.
These are little things that can make a huge difference in your final product and can go a long way in helping you feel your best in front of the camera.
4. Talk to your photographer about your editing preferences.
Are there things that make you self conscious? Are there things that you don’t want removed from your photos? Is there something that will make you not like your photo each time you look at it in the future? Tell these things to your photographer.
All that being said, Photoshop IS NOT the silver bullet that saves everything. Our approach is to make you look your best without the use of heavy editing. Sometimes we work on an image more than normal, but that comes down to the preference of the client.
Our goal is a sparkling final product that exudes confidence and approachability, and a photo that makes you feel great about yourself and your family each time you look at it. We can do our part to make sure that happens, but your mindset and approach to your session is just as important to getting a great image.
Style Guide: What to wear and how to prepare
What to Keep in Mind...
1. Start with the big picture in mind
It may sound simple, but this is one that can easily be over looked. Some colors look great together and some… well, not so much. Before thinking about what to wear in your family photos or what color scheme to choose for your outfits, start by thinking about where you plan to display your portraits. And where your portraits will be taken. If the wall where you plan to hang your family portrait is brightly colored, you may want to avoid brightly colored outfits so the colors don’t compete. Instead opt for soft neutrals or muted tones. On the other hand, if your walls are neutral, pops of color in your outfits would look great!
The location you choose will also impact the colors you choose to dress your family in. Think about the overall colors of your location. If it is mid summer there may be lots of green in your portraits. Including red clothing choices may unintentionally leave your portraits feeling a little Christmassy.
2. COORDINATE OUTFITS INSTEAD OF MATCHING
Gone are the days of everyone wearing white t-shirts and blue jeans. Today’s family pictures are more about coordinating than matching. Cue a sigh of relief! Ahhh! Everyone doesn’t have to wear the same color. Or dress in the same style! Each person in your family can dress in a way that fits their own personality. And you can still look pulled together in your family pictures. I’m sure you’re wondering, How do we pull that off? And still look coordinated?
Below are a few general tips.
For more inspiration, check out our Pinterest board with color palette ideas:
General Tips...
Overall Goals:
Start by selecting a color palette. This is usually 2-3 coordinating colors.
Select outfits for the rest of your family based on your color scheme.
1. Mom First
This may be a first in a long time. And may not happen again for a long time. But mom, you get to go first! Pick an outfit that you feel amazing in! Let’s celebrate the fact that you will be in these pictures. You will get to love on and play with your family and create amazing memories.
So moms, we get it. This family session is special and important for so many reasons. And one of those is that you get to be in them! As family photographers, we want to make sure you not only love your portraits, but also love the way you look in them. And one way to make that happen is to make sure you feel fabulous in what you are wearing. When you feel amazing, it really does show in pictures. So, just this once, you get to go first! Go shopping! Find something that you love. Something that makes you feel amazing! And enjoy! We will talk about matching the rest of the family with you in the next few tips.
2. Go for classics
Your family pictures will be enjoyed for many years to come. Hopefully they will be passed down to your children and grand children someday. Crazy to think about it that way, right? To avoid having your family portrait look outdated when next season’s fashion and color trends change, lean toward more classic styles.
3. Layers
Dressing in layers will add dimension and depth to your portrait. This is one of the biggest differences between sessions that look good and sessions that have that wow factor. During the cooler months, you may choose to add a tailored cardigan or jacket over a dress. This is the perfect opportunity to also add a layer of texture for even greater visual interest. For mom, this may be a light an airy lace shrug in the spring. Or a wide cable knit cardigan for the fall. The trick to pulling off layers is to keep them tailored so they look sophisticated rather than bulky. For little girls, textured tights under a layered skirt, paired with a top and a little denim jacket always looks polished and pulled together. For boys, in the cooler moths a look can be pulled together with a sweater or flannel over a basic colored shirt.
4. It's all in the details
So far we have focussed only on the clothes. But it is the little details that can truly make or break a picture. Take a moment to pick out shoes to match each person’s outfit so an old pair of sneakers or flip flops don’t get thrown on last minute on your way out the door. You can also use your choice of shoes to add a pop of color to your outfit or to help pull two outfits together.
Adding in colored or fun jewelry can add dimension and extra pops of color that tie color schemes and styles together.
5. Save the logos and graphics for later
There are a few items of clothing that are best to avoid all together. Graphic tees or clothing with large logos can look great in casual everyday wear. But in pictures, they tend to steal all the attention. So it is best to save them for another occasion. The same is true of any neon colors or crazy patterns.
The goal s to keep your family comfortable and looking their best together. That being said, as long as YOU'RE happy, we're happy. So stay true to yourselves and your style and take our guidance with a grain of salt.
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