10 Posing Tips to Look More Confident in Brand Photos
Sarah Woo - writer & artist
I get it! Being in front of a camera can be intimidating at first! I always have these 10 Posing Tips to Look More Confident in Brand Photos handy for my clients because I know the minute someone points a camera at you, you become very self conscious, and suddenly you don’t know what to do with your hands.
You smile just because that’s what “you’re supposed to do” in that situation (you might even say ‘cheese’ in your head), but deep down you’re begging to make the camera go away.
That’s not fun! But the result is even worse: what you get is an awkward image where you look stiff and your smile looks fake. You get frustrated, feel like you just “weren’t born for that” and promise yourself you will never get in front of a camera again!
Table of Contents
Mentally Preparing For Your Upcoming Branding Photoshoot
Be Kind To Yourself During Your Personal Branding Photoshoot
Prioritize Your Self Care Before and During Your Professional Photo Session
Telling Your Story Through Brand Photography and Connecting With Your Audience
10 Posing Tips to Look More Confident in Brand Photos for Camera Shy Business Owners
Planning the Details and Perfect Outfits For Your Branding Photos
How To Choose The Right Photographer For Your Next Personal Branding Photoshoot
Mentally Preparing For Your Upcoming Branding Photo Shoot
The problem is, if you don’t put yourself in front of a camera to get images that show your audience who you are, it will be harder for potential clients to relate to you and trust your brand. That can easily result in your business not getting to that level you’ve been working so hard to achieve. And what’s more, if your business doesn't thrive, you will be doing those who need your expertise a disservice.
So what’s the solution?
Choose A Photographer You Connect With And That Will Help You Feel Confident On Camera
Be Kind To Yourself During Your Personal Branding Photoshoot
Prioritize Your Self Care Before and During Your Professional Photo Session
Work on a few tricks that will make you feel more confident and rock your next photoshoot!
Telling Your Story Through Brand Photography and Connecting With Your Audience
Hiring a brand photographer is one of the best ways to tell your story and connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Brand photography is not just about pictures, but about showcasing a more comprehensive view of who you are, what is important to you, and how your work impacts the people that you help through your products and services.
A Brand photographer can provide you with insightful guides and procedures that will help you stand in your power to communicate your message to your audience and connect with more clients.
10 Posing Tips to Look More Confident in Brand Photos for Camera Shy Business Owners
Posing Tip 1
First of all, if you want to rock, you’ll have to roll! Roll your shoulders back to help your posture and make you look (and feel) more confident.
Posing Tip 2
Turn your body to a 45-degree angle toward the camera as it will make you look slimmer. Also, position your limbs slightly away from your body. If you press your arms against your torso, it will make you look bigger as there will be no gap between those two parts of your body.
Posing Tip 3
Incorporate movement instead of trying to hold a pose. It will look more natural and authentic. Walk, work on your laptop, write in your journal, paint, take a sip of your favorite drink...dance if you have to!
Posing Tip 4
Bring your chin out and lean your chest and eyes towards the camera. I swear it won’t bite you! As a bonus, you avoid the dreaded double chins!
Posing Tip 5
Engage in the environment that surrounds you by looking in different directions and interacting with objects around you during your branding photo session.
10 Posing Tips To Look More Confident In Brand Photos
Posing Tip 6
Know your best angles: you might have never thought about it, but we all have our favorite angles and features. When we use that knowledge to our advantage, the result is branding images that we love and want to share. If you’re still not sure what they are, take some selfies at home first.
Posing Tip 7
Find something to lean on. Whether it’s for a seated or a standing pose, find a chair, stool, couch, wall or tree, for example. It will help you look more relaxed.
Posing Tip 8
If it bends, bend it! When posing for a photo, bend your elbows, wrists, fingers, knees and even if you tilt your head slightly you will get a much better result. It seems obvious but most of us feel a bit (or a lot) tense and insecure on camera and we end up standing there like the Queen's guards! And if there's any Queen around here, that should be you!
Posing Tip 9
Think about something that will make you express the emotion you want to convey in the shot. Brainstorm what you can think about when you want to look happy, goofy, relaxed, playful, pensive, peaceful, brave, joyful, amused, determined, etc.
Posing Tip 10
Create a board on Pinterest with poses you love. Then, practice making those poses in front of a mirror until they become natural for you. You can also use the timer function on your phone and record your improvement!
How To Get Ready For Your Personal Branding Photo Shoot
Get your free photo shoot prep guide now for the perfect brand images for your business.
Planning the Details and Perfect Outfits For Your Branding Photos
You need to prepare more than one outfit to wear for the day of your personal branding photo shoot. Your personal brand photographer can help you prepare for your big day with a style guide to help you show up as your best confident self in your branding photography.
It is absolutely important to feel comfortable and not just confident in your outfits. If you decide to purchase a brand new outfit for your upcoming professional photo shoot, make sure you wear it around for a few times until you feel 100% confident in your new set to rock your branding photos.
How To Choose The Right Photographer For Your Next Personal Branding Photoshoot
If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur operating in your first year of business, then you may want to first try to DIY your photos such as your first business head shot to get started with a personalized touch across your business branding and marketing material.
If you’re starting out or working with a tight budget, you may want to ask your boyfriend, best friend, husband, or significant other to be your photographer for the day and take a good set of pics using these amazing tips to get started.
Once you are ready to market your business to the next level and hire a personal branding photographer, it is very important you speak with somebody who will listen to your story and take your personality into account to make sure they advocate for your messaging throughout your professional branding photography.
Bonus tip:
Make sure you choose an outfit that you love and feel good in. When you’re trying to be friends with a camera, it’s important that you feel comfortable in the clothes you’re wearing. It’s one less thing to worry about and your confidence will shine through a lot more.
Now that you got what it takes, on your shoot day just pose like no one is watching!
Trust me, I know what’s like to feel that everyone is looking at you and judging you. However, the truth is…
...No one cares!
And if they are watching you, it’s probably because they wish they had a photographer capturing beautiful images of them looking gorgeous and confident, so give them a show!
I hope these tips help you make the decision to finally show up as the best version of yourself and step into your power!