Get in your reps...

For many experts, being in front of a camera is an experience that they prefer to avoid.

As someone who spent decades running away from cameras, I can relate.

But when it comes to building a visual presence online that helps to attract those that you serve, you need to share photos that illustrate who you are, who you serve, the problems you solve, and how you solve them.

As a result, avoiding the camera is, quite frankly, not an option.

So what do you do?

Well, the second step is to hire a photographer in which you have a rapport so that they can inspire you to drop your guard and reveal genuine aspects of your personality.

The first step is to learn how to get past your anxiety and uneasiness in front of the camera.

What I mean to say is that you need to learn how to get over yourself, but I wanted to say that a little bit more gently :)

And the way you do that is simple - face your fears.

Before you start your search for a professional photographer, get some reps in front of the camera.

Any camera.

Whether it’s taking pictures of yourself with your phone, or asking a friend or relative with a camera to snap a couple photos of you, just do it.

Here’s the thing - these photos aren’t meant to be posted anywhere publically. They’re not even meant to be shown to anyone else.

They’re simply meant as practice rounds for you to get used to being in front of the camera. Smile. Project confidence. Be silly. Do all the things in order to see what it looks like in images.

This lessens the pressure and allows you personal time to reflect on them to see what you like and what you don’t like about your appearance.

The more you get in front of the camera, the easier it will be for you to be in front of the camera that is capturing photo assets you can use in your promotional materials.

Now I know - it’s still an uneasy proposition to even jump in front of a camera for test photos.

But, at the end of the day, these visual assets need to be created and you do need to display genuine aspects of your personality.

Long story short, the juice is worth the squeeze. Give it a try and see how it goes.