Shyness is something that I’ve struggled with for much of my life especially camera shyness. I remember the bright cheeks as soon as someone looked at me, and the fear of being exposed, and saying something silly.
As we age, we have to learn ways to manage our shyness, or introverted state, and learn to be confident in all scenarios.
I still struggle at family occasions and have huge swathes of my life that are undocumented with photos because of my camera shyness and I was so self-conscious.
But I promise, as a reformed shy-person, there are ways to put yourself out there on camera comfortably, and with confidence.
New here? I also have the following blogs to help you get more confident on camera:
PRACTICE IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR:
Study yourself in the mirror, and learn your best angle, and side.
- Practice smiling, and see what smile you prefer… It sounds odd, but actually, I find my smile is better in photos when it doesn’t feel like I’m smiling, and it’s less “cheesy.” Otherwise I look as though I’m auditioning for a part in Tom and Jerry.
- Take photos with different smiles and remember how it “feels” to smile with your “good smile.”
- If you can, look down at the floor, and then back at the lens before the photo is taken, and it looks more vibrant, and less “stilted.”
- Plant your tongue to the roof of your mouth when you smile, this will tighten your neck muscles and help you to lose the double chin!
BODY LANGUAGE:
Look in the lens and smile!
Whether it’s in person, or on screen, people still adopt the same rules of non-verbal communication.
93% of communication is non-verbal. It’s about our body language, and the way that we say something.
On screen this is even more augmented, so think about your smile and your eye contact; put your shoulders back, and hold your head high.
UP YOUR EXCITEMENT LEVELS:
Body language isn’t just about the words we say, it’s about our tone of voice too.
Think about your pitch, and your intonation.
Do you sound unenthusiastic, even though you’re saying it’s an exciting project?
People can pick up on your enthusiasm levels, and on screen you can appear as though you’re miserable and grumpy, even when you’re happy.
Remember to up your game, and appear full of energy and be buzzing with excitement!
Go for it!
PINTEREST YOUR THING? HERE are SOME IMAGES TO PIN
