Taking photos is just a part of social media, blogging, etc, and it plays a big role. The smiles, the poses but what really goes into that photo? When you’re out in public or in a crowded area or you’re with friends and take photos, or even by yourself with a selfie, you snap a few and stop. In a selfie ruled world, a lot of us really don’t like to do it in view of other people. Our Facebook. Instagram, snaps chats, social media’s profiles are filled with selfies and pics. I don’t get why, in reality, we are quick with taking photos in public and try to be as discreet as possible about it. We all do it, we snap a few and slyly look around to see if anyone is watching. If you’re in the clear, you take more and if not, you put your phones away. You don’t take too many, you don’t want to draw attention to yourself. Why the judgement when we all selfie? I really don’t know why there is such a stigma against taking multiple photos but after a short amount of shots, we stop. We all do it. You take a few and keep it moving. If you’re feeling that level of self consciousness with just a few snaps from your phone, being a blogger, when photos are key, it can be even more daunting. It’s not easy putting yourself out there like that and it really does take some guts to do it.
I wish I could snap a few shots and call it a day but it never happens that way. I can take dozens, sometimes even a couple hundred and only a few shots are even usable. Even worse, I can spend hours shooting and everything will work against me, the wind, the lighting, weather, location, my outfit, poses, crowds and I can literally walk away without any usable content. It’s frustrating to say the least, to spend hours and no pay off. I guess I can say it’s a learning experience and use it to my advantage the next time around.
A lot of us already know that the ideal time to take photos is when there is no one around and not crowded. So we head off at the best time before this particular spot becomes congested. If something opens up at 9, I will probably get there around 8 or even earlier. Thank you google for showing the busiest times at locations. But then you have the prime golden hour, which is the most magical lighting, but everyone is around. When I am in a highly populated area, I can feel silly and quite self conscious as people are passing by.
Taking photos around others isn’t as easy at looks. What you don’t see beyond the smile and pose, is all the people walking around. Some stare, some gawk, point, honk their horn, laugh, roll their eyes, and some ask what you’re doing. These things really do happen. It’s not always bad, I’ve met some supportive people along the way. It can be difficult to be in your element and just do your thing. We all want to take our friendship or selfie shots as soon as we can and get it over with, but I have to keep taking photo after photo to get that best shot. Even if it means there’s a crowd milling around and at that point, I feel ridiculously vain taking photos, setting up my tripod for just myself. What I’ve learned is to ignore it or smile at the passerbys. Most of the time, they smile back, so this definitely works. Or I pretend I am fiddling around with my camera, making adjustments until they leave and this works too.
What I have learned, that works the best, is just to face it head on. I try not over think it, and tell myself that I don’t know these people and they don’t know me. I’ll probably never see them again and keep on posing and smiling untill I have the photos I need. It can be unnerving having people watch you. You have to dig deep and pretend you don’t see them and not let it affect you. Sometimes I have to blast Eminem or my girl Cardi B through my headphones just to get into that mode and mindset. Stop getting in my own head if I want to get it done. Taking photos is public places can be embarrassing and sometimes I just want to pack up my stuff and leave. But I make myself stay, I push through it and remind myself that it’s not their opinion of me that makes a difference in who I am.
I tell myself, you got this, who cares what they think, stay confident, you’re strong, you’re a boss babe, just go take those photos. Sometimes I can be quite harsh and not so nice to myself and say “just stfu, quit being a baby, who cares about those people and just go do it. I literally have to tell my brain to shut up , turn my thoughts off and make myself. Its important that I set my purpose and know I have reason for doing this. I have a goal and it’s something I have to remind myself.
Does anyone else have anxiety when taking photos in public places? How did you overcome it?
Thanks so much for stopping by!
- What I Wore:
- Blue Floral Dress by Colza (Japanese Fashion)
- Pink Korean Traditional Dress (Hanbok)- no brand
- Sequined Heart Pullover by Blooming Jelly
- Scalloped Lace Pink Dress by Speechless
- Blazer by IFNE (Korean Fashion)
In a world full of pants, be a dress~ Jules
