Not every athlete steps in front of a camera and instantly looks confident. Some freeze. Some overthink it. Some start laughing uncontrollably. Others can’t stop fidgeting, pacing or adjusting their kit every five seconds. And many athletes, especially younger ones, feel shy or overwhelmed when the attention shifts to them.
If you see yourself in any of these descriptions, you’re not alone. At GameFace GB we work with athletes across all ages, sports and personality types, and the truth is this: almost everyone feels awkward at first.
The good news is that looking natural in action photos has nothing to do with being confident in front of the camera and everything to do with relaxing into your sport. When an athlete feels comfortable, supported and focused, their genuine movement, emotion and energy shine through. That’s why this guide is built around helping hyperactive, nervous or shy athletes settle into a state where great images happen naturally.
Whether you are a parent of a fidgety youngster, a teen who hates posing, or an adult athlete who thinks they look weird in photos, this post will help you understand how to create relaxed, natural looking action images with ease.
Why Action Photos Are Easier Than You Think
Before we dive into tips, here’s the biggest mindset shift to remember: action photos are easier than portraits. You’re not expected to pose or perform for the camera. You’re expected to move, play and focus on your sport.
When you’re in motion:
-
Your brain shifts away from worrying about the camera
-
Your expression becomes more authentic
-
Your body moves naturally
-
Your nerves settle
-
You forget you’re being photographed
The challenge isn’t your ability. It’s simply getting comfortable enough for instinct to take over.
Action photography is built around your natural rhythm. The goal is to capture an athlete being themselves, not an athlete trying to be someone else.
Understanding the Three Types of Camera Anxiety
If you struggle to look natural in photos, you may fall into one of these categories. Knowing which one you relate to helps you overcome it.
1. The Hyperactive Athlete
This athlete has two speeds: full blast or asleep. They’re energetic and enthusiastic, but when told to relax, they do the opposite. Hyperactive athletes often:
-
Move constantly
-
Change stance between every shot
-
Overthink their expression
-
Get silly when nervous
The goal for them is channeling energy into controlled movement.
2. The Nervous Athlete
This athlete wants to do well but puts pressure on themselves. They fear looking strange or messing up. They often:
-
Freeze in place
-
Hold tension in their face
-
Stare too hard at the camera
-
Feel judged
The goal is helping them breathe, loosen up and trust the process.
3. The Shy Athlete
Quiet, calm and introverted. They avoid attention and often dislike being singled out. They:
-
Avoid eye contact
-
Keep their posture tight
-
Give small, polite smiles
-
Struggle to show emotion
The goal is creating a safe, supportive environment that brings out genuine expression.
No matter which type you relate to, the strategies below work for all.
Tip 1: Start With Warmups, Not Poses
Shy or nervous athletes often tighten up when instructed to pose. Hyperactive athletes often try too hard. Warmups bypass both issues.
Simple warmup activities help athletes settle into their natural movement. Examples include:
-
Jogging in place
-
Stretching
-
Footwork drills
-
Bouncing a ball
-
Light sprints
-
Practicing technique slowly
Warmups give athletes something familiar to focus on and let the photographer capture natural rhythm before transitioning to full action images.
This breaks the ice and gets rid of that awkward first five minutes of camera awareness.
Tip 2: Focus on the Sport, Not the Camera
The most powerful action photos happen when the athlete forgets the camera exists. This is achieved by encouraging them to focus on simple sport specific tasks like:
-
Dribbling
-
Passing
-
Shooting
-
Sprinting
-
Blocking
-
Dodging
-
Catching
-
Reacting to cues
This gives the athlete a job to do. When the brain switches to “play mode,” nerves drop dramatically.
For hyperactive athletes, this channels their energy.
For nervous athletes, it gives purpose.
For shy athletes, it removes the feeling of being watched.
Tip 3: Use Movement to Shake Out Tension
Static poses build pressure. Movement releases it.
If an athlete feels stiff or uncomfortable, the photographer might encourage:
-
Quick shakes of the arms
-
Rolling shoulders
-
Loosening the jaw
-
Bouncing on the toes
-
Swinging the arms gently
This resets the body and removes stiffness from the face and posture.
Movement helps athletes stop thinking about “looking right” and start feeling natural.
Tip 4: Let the Photographer Guide You
One of the biggest misunderstandings is that athletes need to know how to pose or perform for the camera. They don’t. A good sports photographer will guide everything.
At GameFace GB, we:
-
Tell athletes when to move
-
Let them know where to look
-
Give simple, clear directions
-
Adjust small details subtly
-
Create calm, low pressure energy
-
Help them breathe and reset
-
Capture real expression without forcing it
The more an athlete trusts the photographer, the faster their nerves disappear.
Tip 5: Take Breaks When Needed
Some athletes need short resets. Especially shy or anxious ones. Quick breaks between sets allow them to:
-
Regain confidence
-
Recover from overstimulation
-
Refocus
-
Re connect with their sport
-
Relax facial muscles
It is never a race. The best photographs often happen after the athlete has settled into a space where they feel safe and understood.
Tip 6: Avoid Overthinking Your Expression
Trying to control your face always backfires. It makes the expression tight, forced or unnatural.
Instead, shift attention to your intent. Think about:
-
The play you’re about to make
-
The opponent in front of you
-
A moment you want to recreate
-
Your normal competitive mindset
Your natural expression will appear without effort.
Expression follows emotion, not the other way around.
Tip 7: Work With Your Strengths, Not Against Them
Each type of athlete benefits from a different approach.
For hyperactive athletes:
Use fast movement, bursts and explosive drills. High energy sessions bring out their best images.
For nervous athletes:
Use rhythm based drills. Repetition builds confidence and removes fear of messing up.
For shy athletes:
Use simpler movements and fewer people around. Quiet environments let them relax and open up.
Understanding your natural tendencies frees you from trying to be someone else in front of the camera.
Tip 8: Don’t Hold Your Breath
One of the most common causes of stiff expressions is breath holding. Nervous athletes do it without even realising.
Breathing influences:
-
Facial relaxation
-
Body posture
-
Shoulder tension
-
Eye expression
Before the camera starts firing, try this:
Inhale calmly.
Exhale slowly.
Drop the shoulders.
Relax the jaw.
This creates calm, natural posture instantly.
Tip 9: Use Props or Equipment to Ease Anxiety
Sports equipment gives athletes something to do with their hands, which reduces awkwardness.
Depending on the sport, you can hold:
-
A ball
-
A bat
-
A stick
-
A glove
-
Pads
-
A racket
Props anchor your body and help direct your energy into something familiar instead of worrying about the camera.
Tip 10: Celebrate Small Wins During the Session
A confident athlete photographs better. Simple encouragement helps:
-
“That looked great.”
-
“Your movement is perfect.”
-
“You’re doing really well.”
-
“Keep going, you’re nailing it.”
Positive feedback builds momentum and pushes nerves out of the way.
Confidence grows with every successful shot.
Why GameFace GB Makes This Easy
We work with athletes of all personalities, comfort levels and confidence levels. Our job is to create an environment where athletes can be themselves and look incredible doing it.
We help you relax by:
-
Giving gentle guidance
-
Creating a safe, comfortable environment
-
Using sports language and cues
-
Making sessions fun
-
Capturing action instead of forcing poses
-
Allowing adjustments and breaks
-
Using lighting that instantly makes athletes feel pro
Once an athlete feels supported, their natural power, emotion and movement come through effortlessly.
Final Thoughts: Natural Photos Come From Natural Confidence
Relaxing in front of the camera doesn’t mean being extroverted. It means being comfortable enough to let your true self come through. Whether you’re hyperactive, nervous or shy, the goal is not to look perfect. The goal is to look like the real athlete you are.
And when you relax into your sport, your natural confidence appears. That’s when the magic happens.
