I have always been camera shy, and thus do not have many photos alone. You point the camera at me and I am overcome with shyness like a young girl receiving a compliment from the village playboy. Because I am now a grown woman, I get embarrassed that I am camera shy, and I can always be heard murmuring away the photographer and complaining that there are other people to photograph…just turn that thing off man!

I know people who seem to just flash out their awesome looking self at no notice once a camera is pointed their way, and unfortunately, I ain’t one of them!  Maybe I shy off from being seen as I am.

Author Chuck Palahniuk in his book Haunted stated that  “The difference between how you look and how you see yourself is enough to kill most people’.

Well…let us not expound on that one.

Sometimes you cannot escape the face you were dealt with, but you can prepare for that appearance by engaging in professional photography, which will help you look put together as your best self.

“The difference between how you look and how you see yourself is enough to kill most people’.

Chuck PalahniuK

Importance of Pro photos

Incase you suffer from chronic camera shyness like I do, or you are just getting more serious about building your personal brand, consider engaging a professional photographer for those headshots, or for your personal brand photography.

Submitting yourself to the services of a professional photographer at least once every two years, will ensure that you have a stack of photos to share whenever you need them, and they will also be photos you prepared for, thus appearing more confident and professional.

Your professional headshots or personal brand photography (which is a professional creation of your branding images, that tell the story of you and your personal brand) will come in handy for use in team profiles, when being introduced to a team, for use in your social media pages or even when being recognized for an award or appointment.

3 Personal Brand Photography Tips for the camera shy professional

1. Select 5 professional photo poses and practice them before appearing for the photo session. Identify your good side (my good side is when my stomach is tacked in). Maybe yours is when you put one foot out front, or when you lean on your left shoulder. This will give you confidence when you appear before the intimidating camera and will ease your awkwardness.
2. Identify a professional photo studio or camera person. While our very intense phone cameras are good for capturing those memories we want to preserve, and those happenings that become picture worthy at a moment’s notice, good quality, consistent, professional photography will help you be on brand, presenting you in the best way for what you stand for.
3. Whisper to the camera person to exercise patience. Some people want to snap just one photo and off they go as if it is a mugshot at the police station! Insist on their patience to try again and again until your awesome self is reflected in that image. I usually alert the photographer early of the tendency of my shyness to take over once the ‘lights are on’, and I have seen some trying to put me at ease to get a better shot. Most professional photographers are keen to ensure you are happy with your shots. Being camera shy does not mean you are not photogenic.

This year, plan your personal brand photography with a professional early in the year before grey hair grows on you. You will then be ready when your professional image is required, and you will be able to produce a photo that represents you as the strong and confident brand you are. Lights on! 1, 2, 3 Click!