For the Guys: How to be Comfortable in Front of the Camera

April 30, 2020

Sup fellas! You’re probably here cuz your partner booked a session with me and you’re freaking out because pictures??? You have to be in front of a camera for an hour?? But don’t worry friend. I’ll make you feel like a rockstar, I promise.

You’ve likely been in front of the camera for family pictures or senior pictures, and maybe you didn’t feel as comfortable as you wanted to. As a photographer and model, I’m in front of the camera quite a bit and have picked up some tips to help you out.

Since photos show only a moment in time, there is a huge emphasis on body language to help tell the story. The more confident and intentional your body language is, the stronger the emotion will be in the image. Look how happy this man is in the picture below! Here are a few things that will make a huge difference in how you feel in front of the camera!  

Relax.

The first thing you need to do is to RELAX! I know your body’s natural reaction is to tense up when there’s a lot of pressure to look good in front of the camera, but trust me, the less you think about it the less nervous you will be.

And this is EASY thing to do because if you book with me, that means you’re booking a couples session! This is your chance to showcase this love like you probably never have before (aka this is your chance to flex your girl and her new bling bling ;).

And I know you have chemistry with your lady! That’s why you guys love each other! So follow her lead and show the world why you guys are perfect for each other.

Be intentional.

Whatever you do with your body, be aware of what you’re doing. Be mindful of each part of your body and where you’re placing it and why (and of course I will help you!). But here are some little things that will go a long way!

Hands are probably the #1 thing that you’ll be like, “Uhhh… where do I put my hands?” I gotchu. Hands play a HUGE role in conveying emotion and can direct the viewers attention if not placed right. Put your hands on her hair, hips, face, booty–We wanna see that intimacy! Your pocket is always a good go-to to put that free hand, but feel free to spice it up and try something else! If you have accessories like a jacket or a hat, incorporate those! 

Have good posture.

Good posture goes a long way in photos! It will make the emotion so much more powerful. A great way to look like a tough guy flexin’ his cute girl is to have strong body language! When it comes to standing poses, especially ones that are more serious, posture will be your best friend. Keep that back straight and chin up and your photo game will be instantly up-leveled.

Mouth and eyes.

Your eyes and mouth are probably the most powerful features you have when it comes to storytelling. They directly show EMOTION. And they’re going to be the focus in almost all of your shots.

Don’t be a statue! You have the ability to show such wonderful emotions at any given moment, so don’t mask the good stuff. Give me all the laughs and smiles and kisses and even the sexy smolders. Eyes can tell such a story, but there are also poses where it’s more appropriate to close them! Like if you guys are cuddling up or you’re kissing her forehead, go ahead and close your eyes and be in the moment.

Trust me.

I might give you some prompts that’ll make you say, “That’s weird…” but TRUST ME. I know what’s going to make you laugh, forget about me, and think about the special person you’re with. I always tell my couples to put your own spin on the prompts I give you, and keep moving! This will help the photos be more candid and more YOU. Treat the shoot like a date, and you’re just hanging out with your favorite person, and I’m a fly on the wall. I’ve had so many guys tell me after their session that they had no idea pictures could be so fun. I promise you’ll have a good time!

My job is to capture your love as authentically as possible, so as long as you’re being vulnerable and open in front of the camera with your person, your photos will turn out AMAZING. Every. Time. Let’s do this!