For many people, having their photograph taken isn’t something they particularly look forward to. In fact, it’s quite common for people to feel nervous, awkward or uncomfortable when they know they’re going to be in front of a camera. They might worry about how they look, whether they’ll know how to pose or simply feel uncomfortable being the centre of attention.
As a portrait photographer in Devon, I’ve worked with plenty of people who have felt exactly this way. Some have never had a professional photoshoot before, while others have had photographs taken in the past but haven’t been particularly happy with the results.
One thing I always try to reassure clients about is that they don’t need to arrive knowing how to pose or feeling completely confident. That’s part of my job as a photographer. My approach is to take things at a comfortable pace, offer guidance, try different ideas and make sure clients feel involved throughout the session.
Whether you’re considering an individual portrait session, professional headshots or personal branding photography, there are plenty of ways to make the experience more relaxed and enjoyable.
In this guide, I’ll share some of my own experiences and practical advice to help you feel more confident in front of the camera, whether you’re booking a photoshoot in Exmouth, Exeter or elsewhere in Devon.
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Why Do People Feel Uncomfortable in Front of a Camera?
One of the most common reasons people feel uncomfortable having their photograph taken is that they aren’t always happy with how they look in photographs.
You might feel perfectly comfortable in everyday situations but suddenly become self-conscious when a camera is pointed towards you. You start thinking about your appearance, your facial expressions, your posture and whether the photograph will turn out the way you imagined.
There are several reasons why people might feel this way:
- Not liking previous photographs: Perhaps you’ve had photographs taken before and weren’t particularly happy with the results.
- Feeling self-conscious: You might worry about certain aspects of your appearance or how they will look in photographs.
- Not knowing how to pose: Knowing what to do with your hands, where to look or how to position yourself can feel surprisingly difficult.
- Feeling unnatural: You might worry that posing will make you look stiff or unlike your usual self.
- Lack of experience: If you’ve never had a professional photoshoot, you might not know what to expect.
- Being the centre of attention: Some people simply don’t enjoy having everyone’s attention focused on them, particularly in busy public places.
I think it’s important to recognise that these feelings are perfectly normal. You don’t have to be naturally confident or particularly comfortable in front of a camera to enjoy a professional portrait session.
You Don’t Need to Know How to Pose
One of the biggest misconceptions about professional portrait photography is that you need to know how to pose before arriving.
You really don’t.
I often find that clients aren’t entirely sure what they want to do during their session. Some have saved photographs they like and want to recreate certain poses, while others have absolutely no idea where to start.
Both are completely fine.
I always have a selection of poses and previous photographs that I can show clients. This gives them something to work with rather than expecting them to come up with ideas themselves.
We can look through different examples, discuss what they like and try some of those approaches during the session.
If a particular pose doesn’t feel right, there’s no reason to continue with it. We simply try something else.
Finding Poses That Suit Your Personality
I don’t believe there’s one correct way to pose for portrait photography. Everyone is different, and the photographs should reflect the person being photographed.
Some clients prefer natural, relaxed poses, while others might have a particular style in mind that they’ve rehearsed beforehand.
For example, someone booking an individual portrait session might prefer relaxed photographs with natural expressions. Someone wanting professional business headshots might prefer a stronger, more formal appearance with direct eye contact.
Both approaches have their place.
The important thing is finding something that works for you and the purpose of the photographs.
As a portrait photographer in Devon, I adapt my approach depending on what the client wants to achieve. I’ll offer suggestions, demonstrate poses where necessary and help them through the process rather than leaving them to figure everything out.
Taking Time to Help You Feel Comfortable
I think one of the most important parts of relaxed portrait photography is simply taking your time.
There’s no need to rush straight into taking photographs. I prefer to spend time talking with clients, understanding what they’re looking for and explaining how the session will work.
This is particularly important for people who haven’t experienced professional photography before.
Before getting started, we’ll discuss things such as:
- What type of photographs you’d like.
- Whether you prefer natural or more formal poses.
- Any particular photographs you’ve seen and would like to recreate.
- Anything you’re particularly concerned about.
- Whether there are certain aspects of the photographs you’d like me to pay attention to.
- Your preferred location and surroundings.
Having this conversation helps everyone understand what to expect.
It also gives clients the opportunity to mention anything they’re uncomfortable with before we begin.
Reassurance Makes a Big Difference
During a session, I regularly reassure clients that they’re doing absolutely fine.
Sometimes people become overly focused on what they’re doing. They might worry about their posture, facial expressions or whether they’re standing correctly.
I try to take that pressure away.
If something isn’t working, we change it. If a client isn’t comfortable with a particular pose, we find another one. If they need a little more time, that’s absolutely fine too.
I can also show clients some of the photographs we’ve taken so far. This gives them an opportunity to see how things are looking and tell me whether they like the direction we’re taking.
If they aren’t happy with a particular photograph or something doesn’t look quite right to them, we can discuss it and make adjustments.
Ultimately, I want clients to feel that they’re part of the process rather than simply being told what to do.
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You Don’t Have to Look Completely Natural All the Time
Something else worth remembering is that natural photography doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding posing altogether.
Sometimes a little direction is exactly what someone needs to feel more comfortable.
For example, I might suggest a particular position, adjust the way someone is standing or recommend looking towards the camera rather than away from it.
These small changes can make a difference to the finished photograph.
Equally, there are times when a more relaxed approach works better. Depending on the type of session, we might try different positions, expressions and ways of interacting with the surroundings.
For some individual portraits, a strong pose with direct eye contact can create a particularly effective photograph. For other sessions, a softer expression and more relaxed positioning might work better.
It’s about understanding what the client wants and finding the right balance.
Looking Like Yourself Is Important
I think one of the most important things about portrait photography is that you should still recognise yourself in the finished photographs.
You don’t want to look like somebody completely different simply because you’ve had a professional photoshoot.
Of course, we can experiment with different poses, expressions and lighting, but the aim should be to create photographs that represent you.
This is particularly important for personal branding photography and professional headshots. Your photographs might appear on your business website, social media profiles or other professional platforms, so it’s important that they reflect the person people will actually meet.
A professional portrait should help you present yourself confidently without making you feel that you need to become somebody else.
A Real Example: Helping a Nervous Client Feel Confident
I’ve had sessions where clients have arrived feeling particularly nervous, and one experience that stands out involved a lady who was quite uncomfortable having her photograph taken.
There were other people around, which made the situation feel a little awkward for her. She wasn’t particularly confident about posing either and wasn’t entirely sure what to do in front of the camera.
At the beginning, she was understandably quite self-conscious.
Rather than rushing through the session or expecting her to know what to do, I took my time and reassured her that everything was fine.
I helped guide her through different poses and tried to make the experience feel less formal and more natural. We worked through the different options together rather than putting pressure on her to get everything right immediately.
As the session progressed, she became noticeably more comfortable.
By the end, she felt much more confident and was very happy with the final photographs.
For me, this is a good example of why the experience itself is just as important as the photographs you receive afterwards.
Someone might arrive thinking they’re going to struggle throughout the entire session, but with a little patience, reassurance and guidance, they can end up enjoying the experience much more than they expected.
Choosing the Right Location for Your Portrait Photoshoot
Your surroundings can have quite an influence on how comfortable you feel during a photoshoot.
Some people are perfectly happy having their photographs taken outdoors, while others would much rather be somewhere private where they don’t feel that people are watching them.
Fortunately, there are different options available depending on your preferences.
Indoor Studio Photography
For anyone who feels particularly self-conscious, an indoor studio session can be a good starting point.
One of the advantages of studio portrait photography is that you have a more controlled and private environment.
You don’t have to worry about people walking past, tourists watching or finding a quiet place to take photographs.
It also gives us more control over the lighting and backgrounds, allowing us to concentrate on the photographs themselves.
A photography studio in Exeter or a private home studio environment can be particularly suitable for individual portraits, professional headshots and personal branding photography.
I find that some people become more comfortable once they realise there isn’t an audience watching them.
Outdoor Portrait Photography in Devon
If you enjoy being outdoors, there are plenty of lovely locations around Devon that work well for relaxed portrait photography.
You don’t necessarily need a busy or particularly famous location to create beautiful photographs.
Sometimes quieter natural surroundings are much better.
For example:
- Exmouth Beach: A lovely option for relaxed portraits, particularly when the beach is quieter.
- Sandy Bay: Offers a beautiful natural setting with plenty of space and opportunities for different photographs.
- Manor Gardens: A good option for portraits surrounded by greenery, trees and seasonal flowers.
- Woodland and countryside locations: These can provide a quieter environment for people who prefer a more natural background.
I also think it’s worth considering the time of year and how busy a location might be.
During the summer months, beaches around Devon can become particularly busy with tourists and holidaymakers. If you’re worried about people watching, arranging a session outside the busiest periods can make a considerable difference.
Winter and quieter seasonal periods can offer some excellent opportunities for outdoor photography.
We can also choose a less populated area or move to another location if somewhere feels too busy.
The most important thing is finding somewhere you feel comfortable.
What Should You Wear to Feel Confident in Your Photographs?
Clothing can have a surprisingly big influence on how comfortable you feel during a portrait session.
My advice is quite simple: wear something you feel comfortable and confident in.
You don’t need to wear something just because somebody else thinks it will look good in photographs.
If you’re constantly adjusting your clothing or worrying about how it looks, it’s likely to make you feel less relaxed during the session.
Instead, think about what you would normally enjoy wearing and whether it suits the style of photographs you’re looking to create.
Some useful things to consider include:
- Choose clothing that fits comfortably and allows you to move naturally.
- Wear something that reflects your personality.
- Consider colours that work well with your chosen background.
- Avoid clothing that you constantly need to adjust.
- If you’re unsure, bring a couple of different outfits so we can try them.
For professional headshots and personal branding photography, you might want something a little smarter or more representative of your business.
For relaxed individual portraits, you might prefer something more casual.
There isn’t one universal dress code. The photographs should reflect what you want to achieve.
What If You Don’t Like the Photographs?
This is another concern I hear quite regularly.
People sometimes worry that they’ll spend money on a professional photoshoot only to discover that they don’t like how they look in the photographs.
It’s understandable, particularly if you’ve previously been disappointed with photographs of yourself.
However, one of the advantages of a professional session is that we can take plenty of photographs and experiment with different approaches.
You aren’t restricted to one pose or one photograph.
We can try different combinations of:
- Standing and sitting positions.
- Facial expressions.
- Camera angles.
- Lighting.
- Backgrounds.
- More formal and relaxed poses.
I can also show you examples during the session so we can identify the styles you prefer.
If there are photographs you particularly dislike, you can tell me. We can discuss what isn’t working and try a different approach.
The aim is to create a collection of photographs that you genuinely enjoy, rather than simply taking a few pictures and hoping for the best.
It’s also worth remembering that you don’t have to choose every photograph from your session. You can select the ones you like best from the finished gallery.
I’m Not Photogenic: Can a Professional Photographer Help?
If I had to choose one thing to say to someone who tells me they’re not photogenic, it would be not to worry about it.
I hear this quite often, and I think many people have convinced themselves that they simply don’t photograph well.
But being photogenic isn’t necessarily something you either have or don’t have.
Sometimes it’s simply a case of finding the right poses, lighting, camera angles and expressions.
A photograph that you dislike might be the result of an unflattering angle or a pose that doesn’t suit you. That doesn’t mean every photograph will look the same.
This is where having an experienced portrait photographer can make a difference.
Rather than expecting you to know exactly what works, I can suggest different approaches and help you find the combinations that you prefer.
We can experiment until we find something you’re happy with.
You might be surprised by how much difference a small adjustment can make.
Why a Relaxed Approach Matters for Professional Headshots and Personal Branding
Feeling comfortable in front of the camera isn’t only important for individual portraits.
It’s equally important when booking professional headshots or personal branding photography.
For many business owners, their photographs are an important part of how they present themselves professionally.
They might be used on:
- Business websites.
- LinkedIn profiles.
- Social media accounts.
- About Us pages.
- Marketing materials.
- Professional biographies.
A headshot might require a more formal appearance, perhaps with direct eye contact and a confident expression.
Personal branding photography can be much more varied, showing you in your workplace, carrying out activities or using items associated with your business.
However, both types of photography benefit from a relaxed and comfortable client.
If you’re constantly thinking about the camera, it can be difficult to relax into the session.
That’s why I take time to understand what you want to achieve before we start. I can then recommend suitable poses, backgrounds and lighting to help create photographs that represent you and your business.
Booking a Portrait Photographer in Devon: What Should You Expect?
If you’ve never booked a professional photoshoot before, you might be wondering what actually happens.
My advice is not to overthink it.
You don’t need to prepare dozens of poses or spend hours worrying about what to do.
The process should be straightforward and enjoyable.
When booking a portrait photoshoot with Linava Photography, we can discuss your ideas, the type of photographs you’d like and any concerns you might have.
We’ll also consider whether an indoor studio session or an outdoor location would be more suitable.
During the session, I’ll guide you through different poses and offer suggestions where needed. If something doesn’t feel right, we’ll try something else.
You can ask questions, discuss ideas and take your time.
Whether you’re looking for a portrait photographer in Exmouth, a portrait photographer in Exeter or professional portrait photography elsewhere in Devon, the most important thing is finding someone who understands what you’re looking for and makes you feel comfortable.
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Examples of Portrait Photography
My Final Advice: Don’t Let a Lack of Confidence Stop You
If you’re considering a professional photoshoot but keep putting it off because you don’t feel confident in front of a camera, my advice is simple: don’t worry about it.
You don’t need to be naturally photogenic, know how to pose or feel completely comfortable from the moment you arrive.
We can work through everything together.
We can take our time, try different locations, experiment with poses and make adjustments until we find something that works for you.
If you’re nervous about people watching, we can find somewhere quieter. If you’re unsure about posing, I’ll guide you through it. If you don’t know what style of photographs you want, I can show you some examples and help you decide.
There really isn’t a need to put unnecessary pressure on yourself.
At Linava Photography, I want people to feel comfortable enough to enjoy their photoshoot and, most importantly, walk away with photographs they’re genuinely happy with.
Whether you’re looking for individual portraits, professional headshots or personal branding photography, you deserve to have photographs that you enjoy looking back on.
And remember, you don’t have to feel confident before your photoshoot. Sometimes, confidence comes naturally once you realise there’s nothing to worry about.
Frequently Asked Questions About Feeling Confident in Front of a Camera
1. How can I feel more confident during a professional photoshoot?
The best way to feel more confident is to choose a photographer who takes time to understand your concerns and provides guidance throughout the session. You don’t need to know how to pose beforehand. Discuss what makes you uncomfortable, try different poses and take things at your own pace.
2. What if I don’t know how to pose for portrait photography?
You don’t need previous experience. A professional portrait photographer can demonstrate different poses, show you examples and guide you through the session. You can try different positions until you find something that feels natural and comfortable.
3. Can I have a portrait photoshoot if I don’t feel photogenic?
Absolutely. Many people who book professional portrait photography initially describe themselves as unphotogenic. Finding suitable lighting, camera angles, poses and expressions can make a considerable difference to the results.
4. Where can I book a relaxed portrait photoshoot in Exeter?
If you’re looking for a relaxed portrait photoshoot in Exeter, look for a portrait photographer who offers personal guidance and takes time to understand your preferences. You might prefer a private studio environment or an outdoor location where you can feel more comfortable.
5. Is a photography studio better than an outdoor photoshoot for nervous clients?
It depends on your preferences. A photography studio offers more privacy and control over lighting, making it a good option if you feel uncomfortable around other people. Outdoor photography offers beautiful natural surroundings and can feel more relaxed for those who enjoy being outside.
6. What should I wear for a professional portrait photoshoot?
Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and reflects your personality. You don’t need expensive clothing or a completely new outfit. Choose colours and styles that work with your chosen background and the type of photographs you want.
7. Can a portrait photographer help me look more natural in photographs?
Yes. A professional photographer can guide you through different poses, expressions and positions to help you look more relaxed. You can also try movement and less formal poses rather than standing still and looking directly at the camera throughout the session.
8. Where are the best locations for portrait photography in Devon?
Devon offers plenty of lovely locations for portrait photography. Exmouth Beach, Sandy Bay and Manor Gardens are all worth considering. Woodland areas and quieter countryside locations can also provide beautiful natural backgrounds for relaxed portraits.
9. Can I book a portrait photoshoot in Exmouth, Sidmouth or Exeter if I’ve never had professional photographs taken?
Yes. You don’t need any previous photography experience. Whether you’re looking for a portrait photographer in Exmouth, Sidmouth, Exeter, Topsham, Teignmouth, Dawlish or Honiton, a professional session should include guidance and support throughout.
10. How do I choose the right portrait photographer in Devon?
Look for a photographer whose style you like and who makes you feel comfortable. Look through their previous work, read client reviews and discuss your expectations before booking. A good portrait photographer should listen to your concerns, offer practical guidance and adapt the session to suit your preferences.
