The other day I was recording a videoblog and could hardly bare to watch myself talk at the screen. I hated the way I sounded, I sat awkwardly, and did this twitchy thing with my hands. You wouldn’t believe the amount of clients who tell me that they are “camera shy” or not photogenic… come to think about it, I’ve never had a client who raved that they loved being in front of the camera. I mean, heck, I have shot experienced models and even then they don’t tell me that they love the camera. I feel like everyone has those nerves – the “what do I do with my hands” nerves, for real. There is this real fear in being photographed… will my zits show? Does the camera really add ten pounds? What the heck do I do with my freaking hands? Seriously guys, I get it. I promise I do because I still don’t know what to do with my hands either…
Here is what I will tell you. I see you – the real, raw, authentic you. I see the way your eyes wrinkle when you laugh and how that little gap in between your teeth is beautiful. I see the way you squeeze one another’s hands and the awkward way you speak to one another with your eyes. When I shoot you, I am looking at you through eyes that seek to catch a glimpse at you in your most genuine form, I am not worried about your hands (trust me, I’m just not.) I was talking with a client the other day about the importance of getting in front of a camera, I literally tell every client that I know that it feels awkward and uncomfortable at first, but I pinky promise them that as time goes on it gets easier.
Leave your insecurities at the door, I think you are beautiful (extra ten pounds and all.) No, my clients are not models. Yes, they look freaking amazing in their photos. Why? Because they trust me, they trust my vision, they trust that I seek out the best and most beautiful moments that they experience… and they laugh at my ridiculous jokes (please guys, just laugh at me and put me out of my misery.) I won’t tell you to tilt your head or rest it on the tops of your hands, I will tell you to whisper to one another, to hug, to relax and swing your arms, to laugh, to love, and to just be you. Even if that means you feel awkward and shy, because I promise at the end of the session you will be excited, thrilled, and ready for more – it is just that fun. So let go of the insecurities, let me tell your story, and trust that I will help you figure out what to do with those darn hands of yours.
See more people who claimed they were camera shy below:
