Taking photos of your products or your brand details is all well and good. But at some point, you need to step in front of the lens yourself. The problem is that the thought of getting in front of the camera dries your throat up and makes you sweat.
Even if your reaction isn’t this bad, you might relate to it on some level. You wouldn’t be alone. Plenty of people don’t enjoy being the focus of a camera lens. If you are one of those introverted individuals, know firstly that this is normal! It is important to note that, even when you are introverted, there are ways to create brand photography and videography with you in it.
For those people who have something eye-catching to share with the world but are more introverted than others, this one’s for you. We caught up with photography pros Anabel DFlux and Raz Azraai to get their advice and put together some helpful tips for introverts to help them (you) rock that next photo or video shoot.
Have a “why” to fight for
Giving yourself a reason to do what you are doing is going to be a major mental game changer. You are giving yourself a reason to pursue the photoshoot or make the videos. It can help you override that little voice saying that the task is too freaky to handle by giving you a bigger voice that says, “I need to do this because I have a reason to do it and a goal to fulfill!”
It can help to remember too that facing the struggle and fighting for your “why” can help you more than you realize. “Limitations breed creativity,” Raz points out.
Have a plan to follow
Are you one of those people who checks a restaurant menu before you get to the restaurant? Yeah some of us do that too. It’s because we like having a plan! It helps you feel a bit more in control and confident about your situation. Well, preparation is going to unsurprisingly be a big helper here too.
“Be prepared!” Anabel emphasized to us. “Make a list of everything you need to do prior to the session, your packing list, and have your vision clearly in mind. Photo shoots take time to do, and much of this time is just prepping yourself. Don’t pack at the last minute, have everything ready a day or two prior.”
Guides like our “Pre-Photoshoot Checklist” are a great place to start so you can have a working reference for gathering everything and feeling prepared before you get in front of the lens.
Have all your gear, props, and other items together
Whether you are trying to record video content on your own or you are doing a professional shoot with an expert like Anabel or Raz, it is best to make sure all the details are nailed down.
Make sure that you have all the necessary equipment ready and turned on, all the compositional elements together, and that you know any editing basics to get the job done. To help with this, we’ve included a small list to check before you get started.
The equipment
- Make sure you have a tripod or stabilizer.
- Check that your ring light is set-up and turned on. Lighting is vital! ”Lighting is everything,” emphasizes Anabel. “That’s what separates professional and attractive content from content that is less appealing.”
- Set-up and test your microphone and any other audio equipment you have.
- If you are using props, backdrops, or background set-ups, make sure it is ready and that you are framed the way you want to be. Adding a piece of tape on the ground of where you need to stand for framing ensures all of your shots are framed consistently.
- “Charge all your batteries the night before,” Raz reminds us.
The composition
- Check that your aspect ratio fits the digital platform you are shooting for (ie. horizontal or vertical framing)
- Make sure to use the rule of thirds for positioning
- Remember to leave plenty of negative space for editing. “Clean up the space you want to shoot in so nothing unnecessary is going to be in the frame,” Raz says–and we whole-heartedly agree!
- For videos, consider adding captions for those who may not be able to hear what you’re saying. This is also ideal for an optimized mobile viewing experience. This is possible for Androids and iPhones or by using rev.com for transcriptions.
The details
- When shooting video, allow three seconds of blank space before you talk and after you finish talking
- If you have a teleprompter, double-check that it is set up and ready to go. You should also double-check your script is paced for the length of your video! There are teleprompter apps you can use too so you aren’t reading off a large piece of paper
Remind yourself the do-overs are possible
Remembering that you can take more photos and shoot additional content gives you a lot more room to breathe. Many of us forget that not everything has to be perfect on the first shot and it adds a lot of unnecessary pressure to a situation you may not be comfortable with from the get-go.
As Anabel puts it, “Photographs aren’t as permanent as they seem! Don’t worry about ‘messing up.’ In the age of digital, with memory cards that can store thousands upon thousands of images, you can always retake the photograph.”
Relax, embrace it, fake it, find your way
You’ve got the equipment. You’ve got the script. You have the details down. But you are still nervous. And that is okay. Breathe. Because you aren’t the only person who feels like this.
“Most of the time, the reason we don’t feel comfortable is because we aren’t sure how we will appear in the lens,” explains Anabel. When you let go of that worry, much better images come forth, because you look more relaxed! Think back to images always being able to be retaken, so there is really no reason to feel so dire about the situation.”
Raz also had something to say about facing– and fighting–discomfort in these moments. “Embrace the uncomfortability,” he tells us. “Realize that being uncomfortable in front of the camera is your brain telling you that you aren’t good enough. That’s not true! Fight that!”
Anabel also reminded us that “fake it till you make it” holds some truth in action. As she advises, “Keep that chin up high and put on your best ‘I’m confident’ persona in the images, because even if you don’t feel so confident in the moment, you will by the end of the shoot!”
Brand photography and videography are important for promoting your work, no one is denying that. But we all get that handling this content can be complicated and many small business owners and brands might feel a little out of their depth. If that’s you, why not reach out to us? We don’t just offer killer advice, we also provide photography and videography services that will boost your brand the way it deserves to be.
There is a time and place for DIY brand photography and videography. But if you’re ready to step up, really attract the ideal clients or fanbase you want with show-stopping visuals, it’s time to book a shoot with the pros. Book your shoot today by contacting us at info@rachaelmattice.com or visiting our Contact Us page.
Written by Brianna Fries, a California-based writer, editor, bookworm, and mother of two. You can discover more of her work at briwritesthings.com.