TORAREKATA ZUKANA Field Guide to
Being Photographed

Reducing camera aversion,
one person at a time.

A failed profile photo is rarely about facial features. What appears in the image is the anxiety that has no outlet — being photographed without knowing what to do, standing without being able to articulate what you feel.

This guide translates what photographers take for granted into language written for the person being photographed.

To anyone who dislikes being photographed or feels they photograph poorly:

This is not your fault.
Knowing how to stand and how to build an expression can change how you photograph — significantly. Photographers will sometimes tell you these things, but most photographers cannot convey everything.
A photo session is an opportunity. Understanding the principles behind how photographs are made is what changes the result.

For Photographers

"I photograph badly" is 100% the photographer's responsibility.
This guide is written from the subject's perspective, but photographers who understand it and share it clearly with their clients — building a shared picture of what a good photo looks like — will find this directly useful.

Some articles include technical knowledge about lenses, distance, and light. We hope they are useful in your future sessions.

If you can remember just one thing on set, both expression and posture will change.・TORAREKATA ZUKAN, Editor