Why You Feel So Vulnerable in Photos (and How to Take Back Your Confidence)

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Episode Summary

Ever looked at a photo of yourself and felt that sinking feeling—“That doesn’t even look like me”? Or worse, felt a wave of judgment that had nothing to do with how you look—and everything to do with how you feel?

In this episode, we’re talking about why being photographed feels so vulnerable—and how to begin taking your confidence back.

This isn’t about filters, posing, or camera tricks. It’s about visibility. It's about the emotional weight that shows up when you’re truly seen. Whether you're building a personal brand or just learning to stop hiding, this quick episode is here to help you understand what’s really behind that hesitation and how to work through it with kindness and clarity.

Timestamps

00:00 – Why “I don’t like photos of myself” goes deeper than we think
00:52 – The hidden judgment women carry about being seen
01:45 – Why it’s not vanity—it’s self-respect
02:20 – A mindset shift for the next time you're in front of the camera
02:47 – Free resources to help you build confidence on camera

Key Takeaways

• Being photographed isn’t about appearance—it’s about visibility. Feeling exposed in front of a camera is a valid emotional response, especially for women who’ve been judged more for how they look than what they do.
• It’s not vanity to want to like your photos. It’s about letting the outside reflect the strength, work, and growth happening inside.
• You’re not broken if the camera makes you nervous. It means you’re human—and it’s possible to build confidence through awareness and small shifts.
• People don’t want perfect. They want real. Let them see the light in your eyes and the truth in your posture.
• You have the right to be seen exactly as you are—or who you're becoming. Every photo is a chance to reclaim that.

Call to Action

Want to build confidence on camera and elevate your personal brand?

Grab one (or all) of my free resources to help you show up with clarity, ease, and authenticity:
✔️ Quick Tips for Social Media Portraits
✔️ Natural Light Cheat Sheet
✔️ Strike a Pose Guide
✔️ 30 Days of Personal Brand Prompts

Looking for more in-depth support?
✔️ Watch my pre-recorded course: Show Up Confidently on Camera

Have questions or want to work together?
✔️ Reach out here: www.jamapantel.com/contact

And be sure to subscribe so you never miss new tips, trainings, or tools:
✔️ www.jamapantel.com

You can access all of these at www.jamapantel.com. And while you’re there, be sure to subscribe so you never miss a new tip, tool, or personal insight to help you live—and show—the whole picture.

https://www.jamapantel.com

Episode Transcript

Jama Pantel (00:00):
Hey y'all, it's your podcast bestie Jama, coming
at you again, and today I wantto talk about something that
goes way deeper than "I justdon't like pictures of myself.
We're talking about why beingphotographed can feel so
incredibly vulnerable, likeemotionally exposed kind of
vulnerable or is that just me?
If you've ever looked at aphoto and felt a wave of

(00:23):
self-judgment or worse, like itdidn't reflect who you really
are, you're not alone.
I've seen this not just in myown life, but in nearly every
client I've photographed.
Women will show up polished,prepped and ready, or after hair
and makeup.
But the moment the camera comesout, something shifts.
And here's why beingphotographed isn't just about

(00:47):
how you look.
It's about being seen, reallyseen.
For so many women, especiallyhigh achievers, there's been a
long history of being judgedbased on appearance instead of
value.
So when a camera turns on you,it can bring out all of that
history to the surface.
Suddenly, it's not aboutlighting or angles, it's about

(01:09):
am I good enough?
Will people judge me?
What if they see me before I'mready?
And sometimes it's not evenothers we're afraid of.
It' s ourselves.
Seeing our reflection frozen intime can feel like a
confrontation.
That's why it feels vulnerable,because it really truly is.
I'm here to tell you whatyou're really feeling isn't

(01:31):
about vanity.
We've been told for far toolong that caring about how we
look is vain, but I don't buyinto that.
Wanting to see yourself in away that feels honest, powerful
and kind, that's not vanity,that's self-respect.
It's about wanting the outsideto reflect what you've worked so
hard to build on the inside.

(01:51):
And that's not superficial,it's sacred.
You want to be seen for who youare.
So here's what you need to know.
If being photographed makes younervous, you're not broken.
You're human.
The next time someone takesyour photo, pause for a second,
take a deep breath, stand talland ask yourself what if this is

(02:13):
the moment I stop hiding and Itruly show my real self?
Because the truth is, peoplearen't looking for perfect,
they're looking for real.
They want to see the light inyour eyes, the strength in your
posture, the softness, the grit,the whole picture.
So now's the time to letyourself be seen, not just for

(02:33):
how you look, but who you are,or who you are becoming, because
every time you step in front ofthe camera, you're not just
capturing a moment, you'rereclaiming your voice and if
you're ready to start showing upwith more confidence and
clarity.
I've got some free resourcesthat can help you.
Whether you're working on yourpersonal brand, learning to love
the lens or just want to feelmore like yourself in photos,

(02:56):
I've created some tools tosupport you wherever you are in
your journey, and I'll put thosein the show notes below.
You can find everything atjamapantel.
com on my website, including away to contact me directly if
you have any questions or wantto work together.
Don't forget to subscribe whileyou're on the website so you
never miss anything.

(03:17):
I like to share new tips,trainings, tools.
My blog is always happening tohelp you show up and live the
whole picture.
Talk to you soon.
Bye, y'all.