One of the initial comments my clients often make before we begin the personal brand session is “I’m so nervous, I’m feeling awkward, I don’t know how to do it”.

And my quick response used to be “Why? It’s not a meeting! We are going to have fun”, “You are not nervous, you are just excited”. I confess it’s just an attempt to make them laugh and start feeling at ease with me.

However, I know that stepping out of our comfort zone is not that easy. To be in front of a camera for a few hours means being brave enough to trust someone else to showcase a version of ourselves that sometimes we don’t even know exists.

Quoting Bené Brown, “You are in the arena”, you are trying something new, for yourself and your business!! We are not models, we are not getting used to looking our best through poses, angles, and expressions, but my main advice would be to let your photographer help you. Ask questions, get involved in your photoshoot, and share your feelings and fears. Helping the client feel relaxed and confident in front of the camera falls on the photographer’s shoulders, not yours.

So, the photographer says “RELAX, let’s start it”, of course, you won’t be!

Saying “relax” doesn’t bring more confidence to any client at all, it’s the opposite, it draws more attention to the problem. Same, starting a session by over-posing or giving a lot of complex instructions doesn’t help either. The photos will end up unnatural and stiff. Personal Branding Photography aims to showcase the client’s authenticity to build genuine connections with their ideal audience. Stiff poses and fake smiles won’t bring that!

Instead, how about suggesting doing something she usually does in her routine? One of my clients said that she loved meditation, it’s part of her brand and routine. So, I made a point of including this activity in her session plan. While she was immersed in her breath, I was shooting. We added movement to the scene, and she didn’t feel awkward, as she was doing what she normally does.

Music may also help the client be less focused on the camera, sometimes she can start to sing or dance a favorite song and you are eliminating the need for static posing, leading to beautiful candid moments, though.

An authentic location, where your client is related to it somehow, is another great way to add movement to the Photoshoot. Whether your client commented about a coffee shop she loves working there, why not shoot some photos there? She can order her favorite coffee, while you start a conversation about something she is really passionate about, and shot, shot, and shot!!! Her hands will be busy and she will be talking about something that, unconsciously, brings her a genuine and fulfilled expression.

And, last, but not least, give the client constant positive feedback: “You are doing an amazing job”, “I love the way you look at…”, “You rocked it”, “not a fake smile, gal!” (after that, she usually bursts out of laughing). Even when a shot doesn’t work well, push her through: “That’s good, but we can do even better”.

Who doesn’t love a compliment, isn’t it?

Remember, it’s the photographer the responsibility to grow your client’s confidence over the session to deliver images that are going to thrill them and help them to thrive in their business.

Xo,

Geise