Most of us are a bit shy when it comes to being in front of the camera. Sure, selfies may be a different story, but what about when it comes to getting yourself in front of a camera with a professional?

One of the first things my clients ask me before we begin shooting, or sometimes before they even book is something along these lines: “Can you make sure I look good on camera,” or “You’ll tell me if my hair looks bad, right?” or “Can you get me at my best angle?”

Sound familiar? If you’ve ever had anyone ever take your photo, a question like this has most likely crossed your mind. I know it has for me.

Good news! By booking yourself a photo session with a photographer, you should feel in good hands when it comes to your comfort and feeling like yourself in front of the camera. In my opinion, it’s part of the job description. My job as photographer is to make you feel the most comfortable and confident on and off the camera. You should be able to feel like you can trust your photographer in many ways, but most importantly to capture your best, most empowered self.

Now, all this being said, WHY should you want to get photos taken of yourself in the first place? Below you will find a 8 reasons why you’ll want to get yourself in front of the camera and clear a little bit of time in your busy schedule for it!

You are beautiful right now. you deserve to see yourself captured, just the way you are, in this moment
It’s difficult to think past your entire to do list and do something for you. Trust me, I understand that to my core. No excuse is good enough to not get your photos taken, now. There’s always that voice in our heads that tells us we want to lose a little weight, change our hair, finish our floor-length list of things to do, the list goes on and on of the excuses we make before doing one thing for us. So add this to the top of your list and feel amazing when you cross it off.

2. See yourself in a different light

You may not realize just how ABSOLUTELY STUNNING you are. Don’t worry so many people don’t realize how simply beautiful they are. Some of my favorite reactions when showing people photos of themselves during their shoot is “DAMN. I didn’t realize I could look so GOOD!” It’s my favorite thing to witness.

Plus, who doesn’t want a good confidence-boosting session?

3. Every person, at every age deserves to be celebrated

Getting your photos taken isn’t just for the twenty-somethings. Every stage of your life is precious and should be celebrated. You deserve to have these moments of your life documented to reflect back on this moment of your life and continue your legacy.

4. Release

Letting go of some control is part of the process. For so many people, it feels good to release and just be themselves. You’re putting a lot of trust in your photographer’s hands, to capture what you’re hiring them to capture: to make you look good (and look like yourself - not a posed robot), and to make you feel comfortable. That can feel like a lot! But that’s my job as photographer - to make you feel comfortable, confident, and uplifted throughout the entire process! No need to worry about nailing the perfect pose or looking a “certain way.” Releasing a bit of tension, and to laugh a bit (a lot) feels good!

5. Empowerment

Seeing your captured essence is moving. You get to see yourself the way your loved ones see you: your kind eyes, infectious laugh, the strength you carry in your beauty.

6. You deserve to have updated, well done photos of you - that you love

Have family and friends always asking for an updated photo of you? Life isn’t like it used to be where you carry a bunch of your glamour shots in your wallet to pop out at any given moment… more realistically you want some solid updated photos of you to share with your family so they have an updated photo to frame, to post on IG, to change that 3 year old profile pic on Facebook, or who’s to say, even have an artsy photo to have on your dating profile to show your creative side and show off your confidence.

6. Celebrate relationships

Capture this moment in your relationship with your partner, your family, your bestie, or with you and your fur baby.

In fact, always incorporate your fur babes in your photoshoot. ;)

7. Print it!

Once you get your photos done, take the extra bit of time to order prints. It is so beyond worth it in the end to have your stunning images hanging on the wall or in a photo album on the coffee table for all to see. Having a tactile product of your shoot, something to hold in your hands, will remind you of that moment in your life, and will be something you can easily show off to friends and family!

8. Why not?!

All being said, why not? You deserve to feel empowered, uplifted, and straight up like a model out of Vogue. That’s what I want for you. There’s no better time to capture this moment than right now. No more waiting until x, y, and z… You are perfect and beautiful and deserving of documenting you! Read that one more time:

You are perfect and beautiful and deserving of documenting you!

All images photographed by Sam Fink of Lumosco Photo

St. Louis dance and lifestyle photographer

Reasons to Schedule a Photoshoot for Yourself | St. Louis Dance + Lifestyle Photographer