I Hate Being Photographed? Top 73 Best Answers

By Matthew Low

If you don’t like seeing yourself on video, you’re in the majority. Fear of the camera or video phobia isn’t new, but thanks to apps like Snapchat and Instagram, millennials are loving it, and baby boomers and Gen Xers are starting to get on board.

The reason you hate the way you look on video: the combination effect of bare exposure and confirmation bias.

The mere exposure effect, formulated by psychologist Robert Zajonc in 1968, states that people react more positively to things they see more often. Since we see ourselves in the mirror most often, this is our preferred self-image. According to the sheer exposure effect, if your slight facial asymmetries aren’t flipped by the camera, you’ll see an unattractive, deformed version of yourself.

FOR MEGAN KELLY THE LEFT SIDE IMAGE LOOKS WRONG AS SHE SEES HER RIGHT SIDE IMAGE IN THE MIRROR. THE PICTURE ON THE LEFT IS FAMILIAR TO THE TV VIEWER.

Confirmation bias is our tendency to seek and find information that supports our prior beliefs and reinforces our brain’s heuristics. Heuristics are brain tricks (shortcuts) that help people quickly understand the world around them. We want to be right, so we look for any information that confirms our thoughts. If you think you’re going to look awkward on camera, you’ll be actively looking for evidence that this is true when reviewing your video. This means that some people can only ever see their flaws.

Videophobia stems from the judgments of others; We don’t want others to see the flaws we see in ourselves. Fight that idea. You’re literally the only person in the world who thinks that! Nobody else has the same prejudices about you as you do.

FOR PAYTON MANNING, THE IMAGE AT RIGHT IS HOW HE SEES HIMSELF. FOOTBALL FANS, THE IMAGE LEFT APPEARS FAMILIAR.

4 ways to overcome your video fears

Confirmation bias and the ins and outs of the mere exposure effect come together to ensure that seeing yourself on screen is scary.

Once you are aware of your subconscious fears, you can start fighting back against them.

The important things first. Your brain is lying to you. The first thing to say to yourself when you feel the fear is, “Shut up, brain!” Remember the fallacies behind video fear, your brain is trying to validate your belief that you are awkward/bad/ look ugly – and get it wrong! Refocus your attention. If your fears are getting in the way of doing your video well, think about ways to get your attention away from the camera. Focus even more on making sure you’re delivering value and getting your point across. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re nervous about jumping in front of the camera, ask for what you need. If you need someone to help you film – ask a colleague. If you must have cue cards, have them! The more comfortable you feel, the better the shoot will go. Realize that people don’t care. Develop a mantra to say to yourself whenever you’re feeling anxious. All your fears stem from errors that are only in your head. Get in front of the camera and love yourself!

For more tips on how to feel comfortable in front of the camera, check out our post here.

Matthew Low is an Account Manager at SparcStart. He analyzes video for improved job descriptions and coaches recruiters on how to help hiring managers overcome their videophobia. http://www.sparcstart.com

When I started working at Loom three years ago, my role was to help develop a product that would make communication at work more human. But every time I recorded a video message, I felt uncomfortable in front of the camera.

Instead of focusing on what I had to share, I was distracted by the process of videotaping the message. How do I make eye contact? Is that awkward? Why don’t I like my face? Sometimes I recorded looms multiple times to get the right take. I didn’t know how not to be embarrassed in front of the camera.

It surprised me how uncomfortable I felt at first, but maybe I shouldn’t have been — video messaging is a new medium for many people, and many of us are camera shy. Recording a message can feel fragile — almost like public speaking — especially when you’re not getting feedback from another person in real life.

What causes camera shyness?

Camera shy refers to a person’s desire not to be filmed or photographed by a digital device. People living with camera shyness also tend to be afraid of speaking in public, standing in front of large groups, or being photographed or filmed.

Scopophobia or camera phobia is the excessive fear of being watched. But even if you’re not overly afraid of the camera, people are hardwired to go into fight-or-flight mode when they’re being watched, according to Harvard Business Review. That’s because our bodies interpret the “spectator” as a potential predator, even if they’re just a friendly colleague.

In one experiment, USC Professor T. Shelley Duval had two groups of 20 people perform set tasks. One was photographed while performing the task; the other wasn’t. The people photographed “mood and self-esteem dropped”.

“Photographs really get us to focus on the gap between the true self and the idealized self,” Duval said. “It makes us too confident. And confidence sucks.”

“…any good photographer will tell you that paranoia is the worst thing you can take away in front of a camera. Your attitude becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy: you get nervous, you wince. You twitch, you look bad. You think you’re unphotogenic and next time you make that face again. … Professional photographers will tell you that the least photogenic people are the ones who think they look terrible in pictures. It is our vanity that derails our faces, makes us flinch and make mistakes count.”

— Emily Adams, LA Times

Furthermore, this vulnerability you feel is a feature, not a bug. Embracing your vulnerability is embracing your humanity—it helps you communicate your message with a fuller spectrum of emotional nuances, which in turn helps you deliver it more efficiently.

Remember that everyone is nervous at the beginning of the recording – that’s part of being human.

7 tips to overcome camera anxiety

The good news for my fellow camera-shy fellows, in my experience, is that camera anxiety doesn’t last forever – I got over it pretty quickly, working my way up to the point where I’m now easily shooting 100 looms in a single week. This process has helped me develop a better tool, communicate more clearly, and build stronger relationships at work.

Here are my top tips for being more confident in front of the camera:

1. Use the default Mirror Image setting.

When I first started using Loom, by default our product didn’t share a reflection of my face. Our brains are used to seeing us in front of a mirror and I didn’t like the way I looked without the camera upside down. This is because our faces (and facial expressions) are not symmetrical and look different the other way around.

Loom now defaults to this mirror image, so you can stick with this setting if it’s more convenient.

You can also use the avatar feature. You can upload a photo to Loom, which can serve as a backup when you need a break from the video or need some time to get comfortable.

A screenshot of flipping the camera in Loom so you see the mirror image you’re used to

2. First, take a few deep breaths

Your body may tense into a stress response when you first find yourself in a new situation or when you experience work or social anxiety. You may notice your thoughts speeding up and you may notice some discomfort in your upper backpack or jaw. That initial reaction is natural when you’re nervous about screwing something up on camera. Try to acknowledge and overcome that fear before you hit the record.

Take a few deep breaths from your abdomen to reset your nervous system. Keep in mind that video messages are a helpful way to communicate with co-workers — they’re not meant to be perfect or perfectly produced.

3. Minimize distractions while recording

When meeting someone in person, give them your full attention. The same ethos can help when you ship a loom. If it’s a long loom, you might want to jot down a few points to share beforehand so you don’t miss anything during the conversation.

Be sure to close Slack and email so you can focus on recording a video without being interrupted by a message popping up on your screen. (The Loom for Mac desktop app helps keep distractions to a minimum by silencing notifications.) If you’re presenting your screen to a team member, you can also close or minimize any non-relevant browser tabs.

4. Slow down when speaking

If you’re a bit scared of the camera, it’s easy to accidentally speed up the speed at which you speak on camera. Just like physical tension, speaking faster could be a by-product of anxiety. When recording a loom, make a conscious effort to slow down your recorded message. It can help ease your anxiety by creating a more controllable rhythm for you too. The viewer can play it at up to 2x speed if they wish.

5. Look directly at the camera

After picking up my first few looms, I quickly discovered that conveying a sense of eye contact helps your message come across more naturally.

The quickest way to make eye contact is to move your camera dome next to your camera. If you’re still uncomfortable, imagine someone on the other end watching and it will feel like one side of a two-sided conversation. Focusing your thoughts on the person receiving the message can help quell your anxiety.

Some people even stick a pair of googly eyes on either side of their webcam to remind them to make “eye contact” – silly, but it might help!

Further Reading: How to Give the Right Nonverbal Communication Cues – Loom

6. Include the human moments

Did your dog bark in the background? Maybe you accidentally said too many “um”? Keep the more human moments in your video messages instead of cutting them out. The fact that looms are unfiltered means we get better insights into a person’s personality. Mistakes give everyone permission to be human and make the video message more engaging.

Giving ourselves and others the space and empathy for these real moments during the Covid pandemic is especially important when so many of us are working from home surrounded by family members and pets and other so-called “distractions”. That’s life right now, and despite what the New York Times says, it’s not unprofessional.

Emily walks her boss through a draft job description while her dog makes a (hilarious) noise in the background.

7. Don’t take yourself too seriously

One of our core values ​​at Loom is “Embrace the Strange”. We believe our quirks are integral to who we are as individuals and as a company. One of the best ways to overcome your fear is to give yourself permission to have fun. Thank your co-workers with a sincere smile in a loom, put on a pair of sunglasses just for fun, share a crazy (but maybe genius?) idea you had that could help your team.

It just takes a little practice

Here at Loom, I send video messages every day for code reviews, feedback and to support my team. Not only do I communicate more clearly – and more nuanced – I also feel better connected to my colleagues.

Personality doesn’t always shine through text. But when you receive a video message, you get a better sense of who the sender is based on the tone of voice and body language of the sender. These connections result in a more productive and comfortable work environment as people really get a feel for each other’s personalities. There’s a greater confidence that empowers team members to bring their whole selves to work every day, quirks and all.

Video messaging is like any other communication channel. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but the more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become. I can no longer imagine working without it.

Start with Loom for free.

Opposite of photogenic, antonyms of photogenic, meaning and example sentences

Myth: “The photo I used was exactly how I really look like”

They have been misled.

You’ve been told that the camera doesn’t lie. (Myth.)

These photos show you exactly as you are. (Myth.)

That pictures = proof. (Myth.)

That bad pictures are the “most real”. (Myth.)

I’m not saying this to be “nice”. I say it because it’s the reason we developed Photofeeler in the first place.

Look I don’t know you You could be a fitness model or look like the bottom of a garbage can. But most of us tend to fall somewhere near average. And for us, the difference between a bad picture and a good one can have real consequences in our professional and dating lives.

Often a new user comes to Photofeeler and thinks: “This website can tell me how attractive I am! That’s what I want to know about myself!” But that’s not what Photofeeler does.

What if the images you are currently using, e.g. B. in dating apps, are not as attractive as in real life?

Read on to learn how images distort reality.

#1 Camera distortion distorts your proportions

Have you ever suspected that your forehead or nose looked bigger in a certain picture than it does in real life?

More than likely you were right.

Camera distortion is ubiquitous in social media images — especially selfies. (See: Selfies make your face look bad. Here’s why.)

The most common cause of camera distortion is that the subject is too close to the lens.

Most photographers say the type of lens used also has a lot to do with it, and wide-angle lenses (like those in our camera phones) are big culprits.

#2 The transition from 3D to 2D creates optical illusions

Real life is 3D. An image is 2D.

This difference can have significant implications.

For example, when you stand in front of someone, you get a 3D sense of their size. Without that extra dimension, a human arm can appear much smaller or larger in photos than it really is.

Because of this, professional models learn to manipulate their body shape by moving parts of themselves closer or farther from the lens.

👏IT’S👏JUST👏ANGLES👏& different ways to stand👏· None of these girls are “prettier” BECAUSE IT’S THE SAME GIRL (ME)… ✔️ONLY 5 SECONDS BETWEEN.” – Halle

Because sharp bone structure doesn’t flatten as much when transitioning to 2D, angular faces are generally more photogenic than softer ones.

All in all, it’s helpful to understand that natural photogenicity is correlated with (but not the same as) attractiveness.

Being personally attractive doesn’t automatically equate to being photogenic. And being naturally photogenic doesn’t automatically equate to personal attractiveness.

Photographers have long been known to spot the difference between famous models’ appearances in front of and behind the camera. (Kate Moss, for example, is said to look pretty ordinary in the flesh. Not that I can personally confirm or deny that.)

#3 Most images are disappointing because your brain is like Photoshop

Our eyes (with the help of our brain) automatically adjust to darkness and light.

Our cameras are not that amazing. They can be set to focus on highlights or shadows, but never both at the same time.

As a result, we sometimes get those dark, spooky, or washed-out images that make us wonder, “Did I really look like that at the party?”

The answer is no, it isn’t.

Another peculiarity of how we see in real life is focus.

Unimportant, peripheral details are automatically “cut out” while we zoom in on small viewing windows at the same time.

The result is that images look cluttered, distracting, and crappy compared to what we’ve seen with our own eyes.

And if we’re not careful to notice the difference, we tend to use images with details that are unflattering to us.

#4 Movement is very important in person, but not at all in photos

Photos are static, people are not.

Your personality, the tone of your voice, and yes, how you move your face and body, act as a powerful filter that greatly affects whether people find you attractive or not. But all that is missing in photos.

Don’t we all meet someone for the first time after seeing them in a picture and thinking, “I wasn’t expecting that at all”? Even if their physical features were accurately portrayed? It was the lack of movement in the game.

Also, people in pictures often have awkward facial expressions that nobody would have noticed in real life. That’s because we remember a cumulative average of facial expressions rather than each specific movement.

As a result, we sometimes get photos of ourselves that are way worse than we really look!

Remember the Beyoncé Super Bowl pic debacle?

Beyonce wants this picture removed from the internet. pic.twitter.com/z1OjCAaw – 9GAG (@9GAG) February 7, 2013

#5 Every photo exaggerates a certain story

Even more ways we humans aren’t visually static:

• We don’t stay in one environment 24/7

• We wear different clothes in different situations

• We behave differently at different times and in different situations

• Our mental and emotional states change from second to second

Given that, it’s impossible to show the truth of who you are — even in a purely physical sense — in one image.

A “fair” description of what someone looks like may only be given after a lengthy face-to-face interaction.

A Princeton study confirmed this. They found that different photos of the same person are perceived as if they were completely different people.

Why is this? Because we are going too far with assumptions based on a photo. When a guy wears a white t-shirt in his only OkCupid pic, women will assume that’s his signature look. You will imagine that he always wears this t-shirt and makes the same expression on his face every moment.

Logically, we all know that can’t be true, but unconsciously, that’s how our minds work.

So if you make a crazy face in your picture? Yes, people will probably assume that you are 100% insane.

Or if you look solemn and serious, they’ll probably assume you’re never kidding.

Granted, our friends and family don’t see pictures of us that way because they know who we really are. They are just as blinded by prejudice as we are.

When choosing a picture for a profile, you need to imagine what specific settings, poses, facial expressions, etc. will tell a stranger who you are – assuming they don’t know anything else about you.

Remember: it’s an image, not you as a person

No picture can tell the whole story of who you are or what you look like.

How you look and how you look in a particular picture are different things.

If a photo of an average-looking man gets an attractiveness score of 2 on Photofeeler, that man may wish he were more attractive. But the truth is that he already looks a lot better than this score in real life. He just takes bad pictures.

It turns out that someone who swipes your Tinder profile likes or dislikes the idea of ​​you they have from your pictures. That’s nowhere near the same as judging you in real life, as a fresh set of images can easily result in 10x matches.

Photofeeler is a tool for testing profile pictures as seen on Time, Forbes, The Today Show and more. Know exactly how you look in your business, social and dating pictures. Usage is free here.

This is because you perceive the reflection you see in the mirror every day as original and therefore a better looking version of yourself. So when you look at a photo of yourself, your face will appear to be the wrong way round, as it’s the opposite of what you’re used to seeing.

That’s exactly why you might feel like the least photogenic person in a group since everyone else’s face is how you see them every day except yours. Another factor that comes into play is facial asymmetry, which softens the reflection in the mirror. So unless you’re born with a perfectly symmetrical face, you probably also hate your snaps for getting all shaky.

It’s generally accepted that a person with vanity (or dignity) can always look at their own photograph with disappointing curiosity. The result of “smile, please” or “say cheese” is never what one wishes for. It almost feels like a universal conspiracy that no matter how you pose, every picture is a bad one. Finding the “right light” is like solving a quest.

“Bad” images, which mean different things to different people, have little to do with how you look and more to do with how you want to look. In other words, there is a glaring ideological disconnect between the mind’s eye and the camera lens.

Three theories can help explain hatred of self-portraits. In 1968, a psychologist named Robert Zajonc argued that people respond more positively to things they see more often—there’s a familiarity at play. He called this the “Mere Exposure Effect”. People mostly see themselves through mirror images, which are mirrored versions of themselves that become their preferred self-image. “According to the sheer exposure effect, unless your slight facial asymmetries are flipped by the camera, you see an unattractive, alien version of yourself,” Wired explained. In other words, the camera version is like an unknown portrait of ourselves that we neither recognize nor care about.

And to be honest, most faces aren’t symmetrical either. Claus-Christian Carbon, a psychology professor at the University of Bamberg, even notes that people are more likely to notice asymmetrical features such as the nose and ears. “If you have a very symmetrical, very easy-to-work face, you have a problem: you’re not going to be remembered as well,” he told Nautilus, taking Meryl Streep as an example, whose nose tilts slightly to the left . “The small imperfections of their face can [read] as a mark of authenticity.” Interestingly, a study from the 1970s also found that other people – friends and family – always preferred the true (not flipped) image of a person.

This opens a paradox. People are more likely to remember asymmetry, but also tend to look down on it.

Related to The Swaddle:

In addition, self-enhancement bias distorts self-perception. Some research shows that people tend to think they are more attractive than they are. In 2008, researchers asked people to choose from a series of altered images – some edited to look less attractive. People chose the photo of themselves that made them look more attractive — recognizing a more attractive, upside-down version of themselves. “There is a tendency to value our own qualities and abilities more favorably than is objectively justified,” they noted Researchers noted what they called a form of “self-improvement.” When people think highly of themselves, the reality of a picture will always disappoint.

A consequence of this idea is “confirmation bias”. People will look for information that supports our previous beliefs. If someone thinks they look very attractive in real life, a picture showing a slightly watered down version will disappoint them. Alternatively, if someone already has a negative self-image – or thinks they’re not attractive – they’ll be more inclined to believe the photo is bad. People with self-image issues will tend to validate their bias against themselves.

Social media acts as an echo chamber to amplify this feeling. “People compare their looks to people on Instagram pictures or whatever platform they’re on, and they often judge themselves to be worse off,” Jasmine Fardouly, a post-doctoral researcher at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, told the BBC. A 2016 study found a link between scrolling and growing disparity with one’s expectations of how one looks.

The composition of the photo also changes the perception of oneself. Because of the “cheerleader effect” (aka group attractiveness effect), people think they are more attractive in a group picture. It’s a cognitive distortion. In 2003, researchers presented 130 participants with group photos of three female faces or three male faces. They were also shown pictures of individuals. Regardless of gender, people found the group picture more flattering for the person in question. The reason for the illusion may be instinctive: the human brain is programmed to look at the group as a whole. So if it’s individual traits, it’s more likely to examine it more closely and find problems with it.

The antidote to bad photo days are, of course, seamless filters. But even bad photos—poorly lit, blurry, out of focus, unflattering—are memories worth preserving. Next time someone wants to twist a version of the truth, remember what writer Pamela Paul argued in The Atlantic: “Bad photos showed us something we wanted or needed to see.”

Why we cringe when we see each other on videos

A sudden change of perspective

The main reason we cringe when we see each other on video is a sudden change of perspective. Seeing ourselves from the outside in creates a jolt in the system, sometimes even a bit of anxiety.

Why is this happening? Three factors play a role here:

Factor 1. Do I really look like this?

When we see ourselves, it is mostly when we look in the mirror.

The problem with mirrors is that they rotate the image of your face 180 degrees horizontally.

So, when you see yourself in the mirror, you don’t look at an image of your face as others see it, but get used to the “reflection”. When you see yourself on camera everything is actually right side up, but it looks wrong to you. The reason for this is that our faces are not symmetrical.

You still are, but both pictures look very different.

Our brain responds to this lack of recognition and familiarity with a jolt of mild anxiety that psychologists call cognitive dissonance; the cringe factor that we experience.

Watch the video:

Factor 2. Boy do I sound weird!

The bones and tissues in our heads conduct the sound of our voice to our ears, so we hear about 15% of our voice through our skull.

This means that we hear our own voice very differently than others: typically we sound deeper/warmer to ourselves. As our brain adapts to how we sound from our perspective, it feels strange listening to ourselves on a recording hear: squeaky and thin.

Factor 3. Soliloquy

The last reason for our self-criticism.

If you set high standards for yourself, you will find something that needs improvement. It’s great to strive for high quality, but perfectionism can actually keep you from getting started!

Relax. We all wince.

A certain uneasiness is part of authentic communication. Even experienced actors and presenters shy away.

You might even argue that some level of discomfort is a good sign; it shows that we’ve stretched a bit. Like any discomfort, it is temporary and can be managed with the right mindset and perspective, which is where friends come in handy.

You cannot be objective about yourself

The best way to bypass your own perspective is to use someone else’s judgment.

Assuming your friend is going to be honest with you about how you’re doing (otherwise you might want to take a look at who’s in your “friend zone”), friends can help you hit the “send” button, so you get it not in your own way.

Camera phobia, the fear of standing in front of a camera and being photographed, is not a new condition. While cameras were invented in recent history, this condition has existed since prehistoric days in the form of scopophobia; the fear of being stared at.

As a video content marketing coach, 70% of my coaching is helping my clients become comfortable with being in front of a camera (be it a smartphone or a DSLR) – whether it’s running on Facebook/LinkedIn Live or a video from Type GaryV produces or vlogging!

The attitude of being in front of a camera really shocked me! For some of my clients it’s as scary as public speaking!

Biologically, this is an evolutionary trait ingrained in our genetics to protect us from imminent danger. The fear could also be caused by religious beliefs that imply that one’s soul/spirit remains trapped in an image forever, preventing it from passing into the afterlife. Early life social experiences such as bullying or body shaming can contribute to their development.

However, the most common cause of camera phobia is what is known as “analysis paralysis,” which basically means being overconfident. Although it is important to know yourself, overthinking and analyzing your appearance in front of the mirror will do you more harm.

Adele, a world famous singer/songwriter, has been documented as saying that she became very anxious when having her photos taken or even standing in front of an audience. She actually had to see a hypnotherapist to eradicate her camera phobia. This shows that this condition can affect anyone and everyone, regardless of their social status or even their looks. You should not be ashamed of how you look in your photos or pictures because that is what makes the world a beautiful place to live, the uniqueness of each individual.

That being said, there are a few exercises you can do to stave off your fear of cameras. Although these exercises don’t guarantee a complete elimination of anxiety, they will help you gradually become more comfortable in front of the camera and be able to get your messages across or pose for a photo.

1. Practice makes perfect

Make it your mission to be in front of the camera every day. You don’t have to turn it on. You don’t have to record yourself. Just stand in front of it and pretend you’re shooting a video. I know it sounds weird, but these small steps, when done repeatedly, will yield tangible results.

Once you’re comfortable in front of the camera, try capturing a few seconds of yourself. Don’t even say a word. Record multiple times. Delete them if you don’t like them. If you find one that isn’t that “bad”, save it for future reference. Continue in this way, increase the duration of the video and even say a few words. Make sure there is enough light in the room. Over time, your confidence in front of the camera will increase.

2. Sit out there

This is usually a very difficult pill to swallow for people with camera phobia.

“Look at that dent on my face. I can’t capture that in a photo.”

“My hair looks awful.”

“If only I had better eyebrows than these.”

“I have a crooked smile.”

“You probably won’t like every video/pic I’m in.”

Relax. It’s never that serious. In fact, when you watch a video or look at an image, you never notice these small details. You are generally looking at the entire image/video. On the other hand, you will scrutinize every single detail of your face or body, making you less confident about your looks.

Try this experiment. Record your video or take a photo. Just share it with a few of your friends. See what they think about it. I can bet 9 times out of 10 no one will notice any of those little details. Once you get comfortable with sharing with friends, post it on social media. It doesn’t have to stay long. Only an hour. You’ll start to realize that it’s never that serious.

3. Make sure you look good

If you look good, you feel good, at least that’s what they say. The secret behind the photogenic appearances of social media influencers and celebrities is investing well in their looks. By that I mean when you’re shooting a video, you’re wearing your best clothes, you’ve got your hair done and your makeup is slaying like Kylie Jenner. Not only will it boost your confidence, but it will also help you discover your natural beauty.

Well, admittedly, you might be tempted to look a little like your role model. But it’s very important to stay authentic and genuine. People who are insincere in front of the camera often come across as less attractive and unable to form a strong emotional connection with their audience. So remember to be yourself even when striving to look your best. But don’t criticize your looks too much. You’ll do it well.

4. Observe other professionals

If you have a role model or someone you visit who is knowledgeable about photography, you can learn some tips and tricks to help them relax and enjoy a photo session or video. Observe how they pose, how they speak, how they carry themselves, how they position the camera. Then try what you see for yourself. See if it works for you.

5. Relax

Camera phobia can be caused by social experiences we went through growing up. If you saw someone being mocked for their looks when you were young, or you were mocked yourself, it makes sense that you’d be traumatized every time you’re in front of the camera. Your body initiates the fight/flight mechanism.

When this happens, simply breathe in and out several times. relax your shoulders Take a few seconds to observe your audience or the camera. Organize your thoughts and then speak or pose for the camera. If it’s a video, be sure to speak slowly. You can even make a note of a list of things you’re going to talk about and use that as a guide.

6. Make multiple takes

As long as you’re not doing live video, you can easily do as many takes as you need until you’re comfortable. However, it is recommended not to delete all recorded videos. In fact, if you take a video/picture that you want to post, sleep on it for a day or two, even if you hate it. After a few days, look at the video/photo you took and you’ll see that it wasn’t all that bad, that all that self-criticism was out of fear.

Conclusion

Camera phobia is real. What is not real is your concern for the opinions of others. Nobody, not even the so-called supermodels, are perfect or flawless. They’ve all mastered the art of posing for pictures and videos, and you should too. Everyone is unique and those little imperfections make the world a beautiful place. So, starting today, do the above six exercises regularly and never make negative comments about your appearance. It starts with you.

More case studies on the type of clients I help:

Please go to: http://www.quang-huynh.com/case-study

“I Hate My Body”: How to Improve Body Image and When to Seek Help

We have always valued the beauty of the human body. If we look back in history, we will see that this ideal of beauty is constantly changing. From Marilyn Monroe’s curved hourglass shape to ’90s heroin chic. From the pale skin of the Elizabethan era – accentuated with garish white complexion because it symbolized opulent indoor living – to the artificial tanning craze of the early 2000s, symbol of endless journeys to the sun.

We live in a society that constantly – and wrongly – asks us to change. It’s no wonder, then, that so many of us struggle with the way we look or dislike aspects of our physical appearance.

We’ve all noticed “imperfections,” but most of us don’t pay much attention to them and accept them. That’s because we realize they don’t affect our sense of self — our personality and our inherent worth as a person.

But for some people, negative thoughts about their body or appearance become all-consuming, affecting their self-esteem, behavior, and how they see themselves and interact with the world.

What exactly is body image?

Body image is defined as a “multifaceted psychic experience of embodiment.” In simpler terms, body image is the perception you have of yourself and how you feel about your appearance:

How we feel about our body

How we think others perceive our appearance

How we feel about our height, weight and shape

Having a healthy body image doesn’t mean having a symmetrical face, a perfect nose, or a body like Gisele’s. It’s not about thinking you’re perfect. It’s just about being comfortable with the body you have and accepting yourself for who you are.

Importantly, positive body image rests on our ability to differentiate between our worth and how we look. We fall into dangerous territory when we start confusing our body image with our self-worth.

Body image and self-esteem: what’s the connection?

Body image and self-esteem are both related, but they are also different. Our body image makes up only one aspect of us – our physical body. On the other hand, self-esteem encompasses how we see ourselves as a whole.

The two are linked because how we feel about our bodies will impact how we see ourselves as a whole. Because of this, negative body image greatly affects our self-esteem.

When we have low self-esteem, our quality of life inevitably suffers. Low self-esteem directs our energy inward and makes us isolate. It makes us doubt ourselves. It makes us insecure and worried about what other people think of us.

For this reason, healthy body image and good self-esteem are important components of a happy, fulfilling life because they allow us to evolve into our most authentic selves.

Why do I hate my body so much?

First things first: It’s important to start eliminating any self-blame. If we’re someone who’s willing to say we “hate” our bodies, we’re probably the kind of person who’s also very hard on ourselves.

Bad body image doesn’t appear out of nowhere. Most of the time it reflects the kind of voices and unconscious messages we had growing up – be it society, family or friends.

Many of us grew up believing that there is some kind of “perfect body” that we all need to achieve. The simple fact is that we are all uniquely – and wonderfully – different. There is no standard model that we are supposed to fit into.

Growing up with very critical parents or with a lot of emotional instability can also cause us to have poor body image. Or spending a lot of time in a very appearance-oriented environment where looks were valued and not much else.

How to overcome poor body image

Overcoming poor body image can take time, especially if you’ve been self-criticizing for a long time. Because of this, it’s really important to seek the right support to help you start feeling better as soon as possible.

In the meantime, we’ve put together some tips to get the wheels turning:

Call out what you see

We are inundated with images these days, most of which have been heavily Photoshopped. Many of the images we end up comparing ourselves to don’t even show real bodies. We look at each other from the moment we wake up, tired and with swollen eyes – we just see other people doing their best. Nobody is perfect. We all have days off and we all have things about us that we don’t like. Remember that the next time you compare yourself to someone else.

2. Choose what you watch

Subliminal messages creep into our subconscious without us realizing it. On social media, make sure you don’t follow any of the brands or magazines that suggest someone should ever change or improve their looks. Luckily, people are starting to highlight this behavior and promote a healthier body image with hashtags like #bodyposi. Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect body or a bikini body – there are bodies!

3. Start loving your body exactly the way it is, no matter how hard it feels

It’s easy to say that when you’re in better shape, you’ll feel happier with your body. But the truth is, you’re far more likely to start treating your body better if you like it. Start loving your body first – that is true self-acceptance.

4. Be YOU

You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be yourself. And if you’re happy with that, beam. Being authentic is the most attractive quality there is. Find a mood or look that you’re comfortable with and ignore the rest. Trends mis-sell the notion that we need to dress or appear a certain way in order to be attractive. You are the best you can be.

5. Celebrate your body as an instrument, not an ornament

Run, swim, dance, laugh! Celebrate all the amazing things your body does for you every day.

6. Pamper your body

Whether it’s a juicy, relaxing yoga class, a weekly massage or a trip to the nail salon…. Do something different and indulgent that makes you feel good.

7. Stop your inner critic

Most of us are a lot harder on ourselves than we ever would be with friends. The next time your inner critic rears its ugly head, give them a call and make a list of the things you love about yourself instead.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder: When poor body image distorts how we see ourselves

Poor body image can have dangerous consequences, leading to an eating disorder or an anxiety known as body dysmorphic disorder. Someone with body dysmorphic disorder judges their sense of self primarily by their looks. This will cause them to become very concerned about their appearance and have distorted views about their perceived “faults”. BDD is not the same as OCD, but it shares some similarities such as: B. Repetition of compulsive behaviors.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms to look out for:

Constantly compare your looks to other people

Either spend a lot of time in front of the mirror analyzing your appearance, or avoid the mirror at all costs

Spend a lot of time trying to hide a perceived defect on your face or body

skin picking

Feeling uncomfortable about a certain area of ​​your body or face

Feeling anxious in social situations and may even avoid them altogether

Avoid talking about it for fear of seeming vain or self-obsessed (to be clear, BDD is NOT about vanity)

Excessive dieting and exercise

If you think you are having any of the above problems, it is really important that you seek professional help. You don’t have to go through this alone – with the right support, full recovery is possible. Therapy will help you realize that every part of you deserves your love and care.

And I quietly said to my body, “I want to be your friend.”

It took a deep breath and replied:

“I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.” – Nayyirah Waheed

Through

It’s a common, tormented lament, “Why do I look different in photos?” The short answer: Your eyes and camera are playing tricks on you. Yes, you really look different in photos, so don’t worry. Brace yourself as we unveil the quirky reasons why you sometimes fear looking freaky rather than photogenic. (P.S. You don’t.)

The camera lens is not the human eye

Camera sensors absorb light through complex lenses that process the world very differently than the human eye. This leads to all sorts of strange peculiarities. It’s called lens distortion and it can make your nose, eyes, hips, head, chest, thighs and all the rest slightly larger, smaller, wider or narrower than they really are.

You live in 3D, a photo is 2D

You see the world – and yourself – in three dimensions. A photo is a two-dimensional image. This can spur further innuendos that are a total misrepresentation of what you actually look like.

mirror Mirror on the wall

have you ever thought about it The image of you that you are conditioned to comes from a mirror. That means you’re used to the inverted version of you, while everyone else sees a different side. Is it any wonder that you’re a little reluctant to accept these photos of yourself as the real you?

And that’s just the beginning of the mirror-based tricks…

They see each other from unfamiliar perspectives

Let’s face it: there are few ways to see yourself in the mirror. And those poses don’t really translate to the real world.

You see yourself “in motion”

Have you ever stopped the TV and laughed at the facial expressions of your favorite actors and actresses? These stills are hardly worth the red carpet. Your brain processes cumulative motion incredibly well – at warp speed, in fact. But when a photo catches you at the wrong moment — between smiling, dancing, talking, laughing, or anything else — there’s a chance of capturing something really weird. Relax: it happens to everyone.

You often force your expression

Unless you’re seriously practiced, staged photos (“Say cheese!”) always look unnatural. They force a facial expression that you would never naturally produce. Some fake smiles look okay. But every fake smile is a fake smile and unlikely to look like the real you.

Let yourself shine

Bottom line: don’t panic if you look different in photos. Everyone feels this way and there is no need to worry. A professional photographer can provide you with studio quality photos that you will feel confident with and will be happy to publish. You are aware of how the lens can lie. And they know how to take a photo that shows you in the best light while remaining uniquely natural. Contact us to learn how our professional headshots can help you show yourself as you see yourself (in your head, not in the mirror!)