What to do when you get into your own head for posing for asana
If you’ve ever asked someone to take pictures of you whilst practicing asanas, you might have noticed that sometimes the mind freezes and you run out of asanas to think of!
It is a perfectly normal phenomenon that I have noticed throughout my photoshoots.
Here is some advice I have gathered to help you get out of your own head when that happens.
Branding photoshoot for Emerald Peseah
Emerald is the first of my clients (and so far only) who got in touch through Tiktok.
We met on a steamy hot day in London to take branding pictures in an even steamier studio. The heat made us change our setting and move things around and I am so glad we did because the pictures turned out dreamier than what I had originally planned.
Branding photoshoot for Sally Connor
Sally and I have been insta friends for a few years. I write and share a lot about my eating disorder recovery on my yoga instagram and I think this is how Sally found me. We have had many conversations about body dysmorphia, fatphobia within the yoga industry, and all things ED recovery.
She reached out to me for a photoshoot months before the actual date - to get mentally ready. To hold herself accountable. And on the day of the photoshoot … She smashed it.
3 standing poses that look good in pictures
Continuing my series of poses that look good on pictures - to help my lovely teacher friends getting stage fright when put in front of a camera!
When in doubt, bind
My second favourite thing to photograph after backbends are binds of all sorts: Marichyasanas, bird of paradise, baddha parsva konasana ... The possibilities are endless. Here is a mix of my favourite. Plus find my free asana posing guide.
3 myths that prevent you from booking a yoga photoshoot
I need to be good at asana to have my picture taken… The same way you don’t need to be “good” at asana to be a teacher or a practitioner, same goes for a photoshoot. We take these pictures in order to be credible and visible when we put ourselves out there as teachers - it means that you want to show up authentically to find your people.
How to choose the right photographer
I know it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option - that’s how I used to think before I got used to invest in my own business. But working with a person you trust ultimately saves money.
If you pick the cheapest photographer, chances are you are going to be disappointed with the images of someone who is either overworked because not charging enough, or inexperienced. Then you will have to take more pictures, and pay more money. So how do you choose?
4 myths about using photography for your business
Over the course of my career I was met with different reactions to the idea of having your picture taken in order to promote something such a yoga teacher - the idea of “branding” can seem somewhat incongruous when talking about teaching yoga.
3 backbends that look great in photos
Over the last few years of taking pictures of yoga teachers across the UK I’ve noticed the same thing happens every single time: The teacher forgets every single yoga asana they know! Because it can be a bit intimidating to be in front of a camera, the brain freezes - trust me it happened to me too. So I’ve decided to put together a little series of posts about poses that I think look good on camera, based on my experience as a yoga photographer in London.
3 reasons why professional yoga pictures work for your business
I have been a photographer for over 10 years now and as someone who has always been reluctant to invest in my business because of a lack of financial stability, I can only relate to those who can be skeptical to do so too. However since I have decided to take myself seriously - I invested in a business course, an accountant, a business coach … - there is no turning back!
Lies you tell yourself to not book a yoga photoshoot
Are you going to deprive yourself from love, wearing a bikini, eating chips your whole life? You deserve to feel good, you deserve the pretty pictures, you deserve love. It’s easier said than done of course and I invite you to use a photoshoot cautiously on your path to healing any damaging body image issues you might have, but depending on where you are on the matter it can be a beautifully freeing experience.
Common fears before a yoga photoshoot
Throughout my career as a photographer - and a yoga photographer, I’ve encountered a lot of people expressing completely valid fears before booking a photoshoot.Paying someone to take pictures of you can be a quite scary experience, so with this article I hope to appease some of the worries you might also have. As someone who was also on the other side of the lens, I can only relate!
How to deal with body dysmorphia for a photoshoot
I have been struggling with body dysmorphia my whole life and as a photographer, I’ve met many people who suffer from the same thing. I also have been a model and had to partake in photoshoots as a yoga teacher and I’ve put together a list of advice that have helped me go through it. Of course it’s always a work in progress but I hope that it will help you!