If you dread having your picture taken, you’re in good company. Many of the professionals I photograph in Indianapolis start their session by telling me they’re not photogenic. Here’s the reassuring part: looking confident in a photo is a set of small physical techniques, and you don’t have to figure them out alone.
1. The squinch
Most people widen their eyes in front of a camera, which reads as surprised or anxious. Gently raising the lower eyelids, without squinting, makes the eyes look focused and self-assured. It’s one of the quickest changes I make in a session.
2. The jawline extension
When we’re nervous, we pull our head back, which softens the jaw. Bringing the face slightly forward and tipping the chin down a touch defines the jawline. It feels strange and looks natural, which is why someone needs to guide it from behind the camera.
3. The micro-smile
A big, posed smile often looks forced. A micro-smile, relaxed, closed or slightly open, warms the face while still looking composed. The key is that it reaches the eyes. I photograph a range, from serious to a full smile, so you can choose.
4. Posture and hands
Drop your shoulders away from your ears, sit or stand tall, and breathe out just before the shot. Slightly angling your body instead of facing the camera squarely looks more relaxed. If your hands are in the frame, give them something natural to do rather than letting them hang.
5. Movement and music
Stillness makes people stiff. Small movements between shots, conversation and your own playlist keep the face relaxed. In the studio, I ask clients what they’d like to listen to.
6. Let someone direct you
The single biggest help for camera-shy people is clear direction. When you know exactly what to do with your face and shoulders, the guesswork, and most of the nerves, disappear. That’s what expression coaching is: guided variations, one adjustment at a time, reviewed together on screen.
7. Trust the retouching, within limits
Professional retouching handles temporary blemishes, flyaways and small distractions, so you don’t have to worry about them during the session. It can’t create an expression, which is why we focus on capturing a genuine one.
These techniques are part of the seven elements I control in every session; see them on my headshot photographer in Indianapolis page. For more detail on the face, read how to look confident and approachable in your headshot.
Frequently asked questions
Is the studio better than on-site for camera-shy people?
Often, yes. The studio is private and quiet, with time to relax. Read studio vs on-site sessions.
What if I hate every photo?
You see the images on screen throughout the session, so we adjust as we go until you see one you like.
Camera-shy? You’re exactly who I love to photograph.
Every session includes expression coaching, in my studio in Indianapolis or at your office. See sessions and rates, or tell us what you need.