In Front of the Lens: The Awkward Art of Filming Yourself
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A candid frame of Matt recording himself in a woodland setting. The microphone is clipped to his fleece, capturing the challenges of filming on location among tall trees and dense ferns.
For most of my photography journey I’ve been safely tucked behind the camera. That’s where I feel at home. Observing, framing, pressing the shutter. But recently something changed. I flipped the tripod around, hit record, and suddenly the lens was pointing at me 🥴.
And let me tell you, it felt about as natural as wearing hiking boots to a black-tie dinner.
The World of Confident Vloggers
We live in a world where vloggers can wander through busy streets talking effortlessly to their camera as if the entire planet is their best mate on FaceTime 🎥. I admire that confidence. Meanwhile, the moment the little red recording light blinks on, I forget how to string a sentence together. My hands don’t know where to go. My voice sounds like it belongs to a stranger. And every passing dog walker feels like they’ve bought front-row tickets to watch me fail 🐕.
Still, there I was, in the woods, trying to introduce myself to my own camera 🌳.
Scouting the Quiet Corners
The first challenge was location. Town centres and parks at lunchtime? Too many eyes. Even some of my favourite woodland paths had more hikers than I could handle. So I started scouting 🌲.
I found quieter spots deeper in the forest. Early mornings helped too: softer light, emptier paths, and fewer people wondering why some bloke was talking to a camera balanced on a tripod. Occasionally a squirrel would rustle past, but at least squirrels don’t judge 🐿️.
In a way, it felt like location scouting for photography. Only this time, the subject was me.
The Gear Reality
On paper it’s easy. Tripod. Camera. Microphone. Simple. In reality? Not so much 🤦🏻♂️.
There was the time I filmed a whole section only to discover the top part of my head was chopped off. Another time the wind drowned out every word I said 🌬️. And once, after what I thought was a great take, I realised the microphone had been rustling around on my fleece the entire time, like I’d stuffed it in my pocket instead of clipping it on properly 🎤.
It was a reminder that the same rules I follow for photography apply when filming myself. Batteries charged 🔋. Cards cleared 💾. Background checked. Light considered. Preparation always matters.
The Awkward First Takes
Behind-the-scenes shot of an Insta 360 GO 3S mounted on a tripod in the forest, ready to film. The image highlights the simple gear used to capture vlogging-style footage outdoors.
If you have ever cringed at the sound of your own recorded voice, imagine pairing that with the sight of your face trying to act natural in front of a lens 😬.
I must have done twenty takes of my first introduction. Too fast. Too stiff. Too many “ums.” At one point I ended a recording with a painfully awkward little half-smile and nod, like I was signing off a work Zoom call nobody wanted to be on 🙃. None of it looked remotely natural.
And then there’s the eye contact problem. Do you look at the lens, or do you sneak a glance at the screen to check your framing? Whichever you choose, it makes your eyes look slightly off, like you’re staring just over the person you’re speaking to 👀. Pair that with the usual hang ups about how you look on camera, and you’ve got a recipe for frustration.
But slowly, it improved. By the fifth attempt I had loosened up. By the tenth I found a rhythm. By the twentieth I was still awkward, but at least I looked less like I was filming a hostage video 😂.
Why Am I Telling You This?
Because today’s photographer is asked to be more than just a photographer. Social media has changed the game. It is no longer only about posting your best stills. Audiences want the story behind them. They want to see the process, the mistakes, the setup, the location. Reels and short-form videos have become the currency of attention. And YouTube offers a completely different angle altogether.
I know for a fact that more and more photographers are trying to make this transition. From simply sharing finished work to showing how it was created. From hiding behind the photo to stepping into it. And that shift means learning how to point the camera at yourself, no matter how awkward it feels.
What I Learned From Being the Subject
Filming myself has taught me more than I expected:
Patience is key. Just like photography, the first attempt is rarely the keeper ⏳.
The environment matters. A comfortable location helps you relax far more than you realise 🌍.
Keep it simple. A tripod and natural light go further than an overcomplicated setup ✨.
Awkwardness fades. The first few tries feel unbearable, but eventually you stop caring quite so much 🙂.
Final Thought
Being in front of the lens is harder than I ever imagined. But it is also freeing. You learn to stop aiming for perfect and start aiming for real 🌟.
It reminded me of learning photography itself. Messy at first. A little embarrassing. But worth it in the end 📸. And just like those early photos that I now look back on with a smile, I know these first videos will make me laugh in a year’s time. Probably right before I delete them 😆.
Sometimes the hardest subject you will ever capture is yourself 🙌.
If you’d like to see the gear I use for filming and photography, you can find it all on my Amazon Storefront (affiliate link).
It’s the kit I rely on day to day, and using the link helps support my work 👜.
