I prefer to be behind the camera verses in front of it. Some people are just naturals in front of the camera, and I’m not one of them. So much so that if you ask me that question, I would emphatically say YES, I hate to have my picture taken.

I recently needed to get a new headshot photo of myself as mine was really getting outdated. When I realized I needed a new one, and then started thinking about it, it made me start to panic. It was a cold and dreary winter day, which kept me from being able to do a fun candid one outside. I had resort to doing my own headshot, inside with a backdrop, lighting and my husband pressing the button on the camera. One reason I really didn’t like this scenario was that I couldn’t see myself in the camera and know which way to turn my head, pose and move my body, reposition my necklace or know if a hair was out of place. I like to be in charge of the camera and the setting. It took multiple times to get an image that I was somewhat happy with.

Why People Don’t like their Pictures Taken?

Usually when people say they don’t like their picture taken, it usually has to do with they don’t like how they look that day. It can be the lighting, angles, the outfit or any number of things. Who has that friend that takes a million photos before they get one, they like? I have a few of them! We tend to see our own flaws and nitpick at them. Maybe we don’t like our hair, our body, our eye shape, our nose, it can go on and on. Is this you? I can really relate to that! We are all way too self-critical, myself included.

How we can relax and start to enjoy pictures being taken…

Stop being concerned about that embarrassing image. Other people will probably judge you far less harshly than you are judging yourself. Stop comparing photos of yourself against an impossible standard, based on your unique level of knowledge about how your hair, clothes and body can look when at their very best. Smile naturally and enjoy your time. Research shows people that smile, are happy and enjoying themselves look much more attractive in photos regardless of what you are wearing, lighting, angles etc. Remember that taking a good picture of someone, is a two-person effort. You may have to train the person taking your photo to know you better, so they can then learn how to pose you and work with your style better.

Relax, breathe and your posture will instantly improve.