We all have feelings about having our photo taken: the camera might be your friend, or maybe it feels like a mortal enemy. How does looking at a photo make you feel? Do you smile at the memory of the time when it was taken? Or do you cringe and start mentally noting every flaw you can find?
If you’re not happy with how you look in photos, you might be surpised to learn: it has nothing to do with your genes, and everything to do with your mindset.
How you think influences how you look.
You’re more than likely going through ups and downs from day to day, and when you look in the mirror, you might even be able to see those ups and downs. You might see happiness, or a glow, or tired eyes, or tension in your own face. How we’re feeling and thinking can affect how we look in noticeable ways.
When you’re in front of a camera, do you tense up? Do you force a smile that looks fake? Do you think about how much you don’t want to have your picture taken? If you’re thinking negative thoughts, chances are they’re going to show in your photo. You might look stressed, or slouch more than usual, or look stiff and unnatural, when what you really want is to look relaxed, confident, and 100% yourself.
How can you make things better? Be nice to yourself! When you’re out and about someone takes out their camera, turn off your critical mindset, and let go of the negative. Instead of forcing yourself to “try and look happy,” look for your relaxed mental space and just enjoy the moment you’re in.
Similarly, just overthinking how you’re posing for a photo can make it look more stiff. You have beauty that’s begging to shine forward, and the best thing you can do for yourself is to relax into it. Don’t treat your appearance in photos as a puzzle to be solved: it’s just an opportunity to be yourself and feel good doing it.
Get help with an awesome Portland photography workshop!
We’re presenting Make The Camera Love You, a workshop that’s all about teaching you how to be your best, most authentic self in front of the camera. You’ll get great strategies to help you look and feel more awesome in photos, and then you’ll get to try them out! We’ll do a mini-shoot during the workshop with each of you, and you’ll get a copy of your best photo to keep!
Space is limited, so register now and start Looking Awesome in the new year! You can also make your registration into an awesome gift for someone you like: sign up by December 22nd, and we can hook you up with a holiday card and certificate to give to a friend or family.
REGISTER NOW »
Here’s what you’ll get:
- admission to our live workshop
- individualized guidance during the session
- your own mini-shoot during the workshop
- a fully-edited digital copy of your best shot, e-mailed to you after the workshop
