Confession: I am INCREDIBLY camera shy. Funny for someone who's constantly posting photos and videos of themselves online, right? Whether you'd like to believe it or not, standing/posing for pictures and videos has always been something I've struggled with.
Where do I put my hands?
What facial expression should I make?
Do I have something in my teeth?
All these questions (and more) go through my head, which has (many a time) resulted in the most awkward and laughable photographs/videos. However, I have always loved fashion and the concept of photography, therefore, getting over that shyness was necessary for me to be able to explore those creative outlets. So (in case you were wondering), here are my tips to feeling more confident in front of the camera:
1. Dress for comfort. I'm a firm believer in wearing whatever you want, and an even bigger believer in dressing comfortably. When I dress for comfort, I feel comfort as well. Sure, high-heeled stilettos and complicated pieces of clothing might look nice for a shot, but the less I have to worry about, the better I'll feel in front of the camera.
2. Wear sunglasses. I'm sure a lot of other bloggers would agree with me, having sunglasses on makes it less daunting when it comes to facial expressions. It's almost like hiding in plain sight: I don't have to worry about accidentally closing my eyes and it's difficult not to look like a badass in some rad sunnies.
3. (Don't) strike a pose. Totally up to you, but I'm honestly not a fan of posing in general. It feels very forced to me and like I have no idea what I'm doing. Instead, I focus on movement. For example, in these shots, I was just about to leave my house on a windy day. So, I worked with what I had. Walking down steps, letting the wind catch my hair, waiting around for my ride to pick me up. Moving around like I would naturally move results in the most natural looking shot. No awkward Audrie here.
4. Find the right photographer. I'm very lucky to have my fiancé as my photographer. He's my best friend, so shooting with him is very easy for me. However, when I'm shooting with another photographer, I tend to freeze up and become super stiff. My advice? Find the right person to take your photos. It honestly makes a huge difference. I prefer working with photographers who are easy-going and offer feedback while we're shooting, as opposed to someone who isn't that collaborative and stays silent the entire time.
5. Practice in private. I'm not really big on posting selfies, but that doesn't mean I don't take them! It might seem silly, but sometimes selfie-ing it up helps me figure out what angle might flatter me best. When I don't have my fiancé around to take my photo (which is more often than you might think), I also rely on a tripod and the self-timer setting to get in a shot or two. Practicing shooting on your own can help combat camera-shyness, because it's just you and the camera. No judgement or eye-rolling when you want to take the exact same shot for the hundredth time.
xx Audrie
Sunglasses: Forever 21 // Dress: 2020AVE // Boots: Simmi Shoes // Backpack: Thrifted