SliverWizard

Hi, I've always hated my picture taken, just can't stand it. I don't really know why i hate it, i just don't like seeing myself in them and i hate when other people keep photos of me.

I avoided yearbook pictures in highschool, but a couple of years i couldn't, I hated seeing myself in them. My dad loves to take pictures, I dislike how he would always try to take them of me even though he knows i hate it.

Anonymous

Hi,

I really thought I was the original weirdo with this! My camera phobia started when I was about 2... and now 22 years on has just snapped back..

All through school I avoided cameras. My parents were actually really supportive about the whole thing. I realised how bad I was when a friend who didnt know took a snap of me, and I ended up knocking him unconcious. Fortunately he forgave me, but I tried some counselling after that, to no avail.

Passports, work ID and drivers licence have been done (and I was physically sick afterwards) but no real progress until...

I took up photography. Serious, proper, learn the basics. Overcome fear with knowledge, get to know the enemy. And it was starting to work, until a few weeks ago.

At a friends wedding, and I was handling myself very well (Top tip, get good at photography and you stay behind the camera... best avoidance measure EVER!) but when I was relaxing later in the evening with a group of family/close friends, one of the more tipsy ones decided to throw a disposable in front of my face and push the button. I dont know what happened for the next 2 ours, but when I came back round, I was told I snatched the camera off her and stormed off. And I had one leg covered in mud, so I had obviously been for a walk...

I dont know what to do. I cant even open my camera bag to download the days photos now. Everything seems in vain... :cry:

Marcia

OMGosh, what a horrible experience! And you were doing so well, too. Good idea about the photography thing. I just recently got a new camera with a built in zoom and used it at a concert. Gave me a lot of confidence when others commented about how good the pics I took were.

I think it's a time thing - your getting back to photography. Just like with me after my really bad experience last year. Things were really bad for several months, then started to improve a little, then I slipped back a bit at Christmas, then forward, then back a wee bit, etc, etc. But I have to say that in the past couple of weeks or so things have improved a lot for me. I've taken a couple of pieces of advice with regard to desensitization to cameras (and also re: talking to others and getting it out in the open) and tried to work with them. Seems to have been good timing for me right now, as I had my pic taken at the concert recently and it didn't send me into a panic at all. Well, okay, increased heart rate, but that was it. :wink:

I hope you are able to give it a good deal of time, then slowly get back to your photography. Sounds like the idea of being on the other side of the camera might not be realistic for you for a little while, though. I've had mentioned to me that I should try taking pics of myself with a time-delay type of camera when there is no one else around. Maybe, once you're feeling up to it, you could try that?

"The miracle isn't that I finished, the miracle is that I had the courage to start" - John "The Penguin" Bingham

rj

marcia, i also have that kind of phobia. much worse than yours. i usually get sick after taken a shot. i dont know why. but im starting to overcome it now. i just make funny poses so i wont get affected much...

Steve_lambert

i hate having my pics taken. I never thought it was down to my phobia but i guess you can link it with that. Iv always felt i was ugly, dispite having girlfriends. Im just not a photo type of guy. I rarely look in a mirror too, just hate it.

IceLad

I try and avoid having my pic taken at all costs. I don't feel as if I ever look okay on them.

When I do get my pic taken, I totally freeze up and I can't smile in a mllion years. :roll:

Septor

I to avoid having my having my picture taken at all cost.I think I look to ugly for pictures and I can never smile.Bahh :(

Mujareh

What so you call the fear of having your picture taken? Photophobia?

lalala47

i have the phobia too

limetree

That's great you are being proactive about facing your fear.

For this year's teacher's group photo my history teacher was bawling bc they were pressuring her to be in the pic which was going to be displayed in the hallway. I felt soo bad for her since this was in the middle of the playground where everyone could see...thank god she doesn't have SA. I always hated school photos bc of how much fuss they made over trying to get a perfect pose. Pretentious bs, and if the shot turns out bad, people make fun of you bc they spent all that time and effort trying to make you look good. >.<

My teacher might've wanted to work on improving her self-esteem before giving herself more to worry about by being in the pic and they should've just respected her wishes. People will make the choice to face their fears only when they're ready. I know people are sentimental about such things but on the other hand I don't see why people can't just let it go, especially regarding family shots. It doesn't mean you died or people won't remember you just bc you weren't in any photos. :/ Why won't they accept an xray instead? Not even of your brain? It'll only be important to get help for compulsory things like license renewal or missing persons ads in case you get abducted xD But then again perhaps you shouldn't listen to my SA-induced "**** social obligations" sense of indignation, hehe. O

Do you feel the same way about being videotaped?

I tried to pass for nothing but my dreams gave me away / I'm happy just because I found out I am really no one.