4 Steps to Take You From Camera Shy to Confident Boss Babe

Before becoming a NJ Brand Photographer, I opened my first photography business back in 2012 (newborn and family) and went YEARS without a real headshot or brand photo of me. Back in 2012, personal brand marketing on social media was not really a huge thing yet so it did not stress me out, but my website lacked any real photos of me.

Flash forward to now, showing up on your website and social media is a must to be successful marketing online. Studies show that showing yourself on your brand’s Instagram nearly doubles audience engagement. By showing up, you build the know, like and trust factor. Sharing not only yourself, but also your brand’s story via behind the scenes images and branded stock imagers, is a necessity. Just look at how HUGE the IG influencer industry has become. Tell me I am not the only one who has bought multiple products just because I saw it on one of my favorite IG accounts!

And I realized over the last couple of years that there were just not many NJ brand photographers or NJ headshot photographers out there to help entrepreneurs be successful marketing online!

But what if you are like me? NOT a fan of being in front of the camera. Wishing I could go back to 2012 when a few portfolio images of families posted to Facebook could bring me enough clients. In denial that I needed headshots and brand photos done of myself?

If this sounds familiar, here are some tips to go from dreading your headshot or brand session… to actually looking forward to it and *gasp* having fun in the process!

1 – Outsource

Switching your phone to selfie mode might sound easy enough, and that kind of content is exactly what stories and reels are good for, but you need professional images to tell your brand’s story and show up… well professionally! Making a good first impression to your audience is key in converting your audience into paying clients. No better way to do this than with a library of professional images you can share over the course of months. And getting that library of images is best done working with a brand photographer or headshot photographer!

2 – Shoot Planning

Preparing all of the details of your headshot or brand photography session well ahead of time is a great way to ease any anxiety ahead of the shoot. Choosing a location, brand stories or themes you want captured, selecting your outfits, and props are all the components that go into a brand shoot. Your brand photographer should take care of nearly all of these items for you, and guide you on the items that fall in your lap. I take most of this off the shoulders of my clients and onto mine so the weeks leading up to a brand shoot is not spent stressing at all!

3 – Hair & Makeup

Best way to look confident in the front of the camera is to actually FEEL confident! I know I feel my best when I leave hair and makeup to the pros. As a NJ brand photographer, I absolutely love working with hair and makeup artists. I have the names and numbers of THE best hair and makeup artists all around NJ and will HOOK YOU UP!

4 – Relax at the Shoot

When walking into the shoot, realize the hard job is on the photographer, not you! A good photographer will pose you in the most flattering way while making you feel comfortable. Also, ignore the camera! If I am photographing you, I often start with working shots where you are at your computer, working with another prop, or looking off camera. This makes getting comfortable in front of the camera go a lot quicker.

Also, PROPS! Looking at, holding, working with the props that you brought to the shoot will automatically relax you. And… sometimes these props can be your kids!!! If being a parent is part of your personal brand’s story. And in addition to being a NJ brand photographer, I am also a family photographer so I know how to work with your children!

And that’s it! Hopefully this helps you feel more confident when you book your next headshot or branding photo session. And if you are looking for a NJ brand photographer or NJ headshot photographer, I would absolutely love to work with you so hit me up here!