Aspies For Freedom

Medically, the term "photophobia" refers to an aversion or sensitivity to light (which is what I thought the thread was about at first, haha). Now I get what you mean though.

I really have no problem getting my picture taken.

I couldn't find a single defined phobia related to cameras or having one's photograph taken (beyond the abysmal "picture-phobia").  Given how common it is, that's astonishing.

I avoided having my picture taken for years after a particularly traumatic middle-school yearbook photo incident (I'd scan it in and post it, but I don't think I want it loose on the Wild Web...take my word for it, though, it was bad).

I also had lingering photophobia for ages as a result of some medication I was prescribed, but that's apparently OT.

leemcd56, you're what, 15?  I'll be blunt: you have some pretty bad pictures to look forward to, but it gets better with age.  Try to get lots taken around the 25-40 range, because after that they can start to be depressing.

I can offer a couple of pointers:  

  1. Figure out which is your "good side" and try to present it to the camera.

  2.  When in doubt, keep your chin horizontal and don't try overmuch to smile (this is especially true of passport- and driver's license photos).  Looking up makes you look a little goofy (this is the usual ID-photo problem) and looking down makes you look coy (which is almost certainly not what you want).  Absolute worst is the 1/4 profile head-down-and-looking-up-at-the-camera-while-grinning-bashfully.  This was my yearbook photo.  Worse yet, your female relatives will think it's adorable and make a point of showing it around.

Other factors are generally out of your control (lighting, focal length, etc.)

Of course, if you have a genuine phobia, and not just the usual camera-shyness, that's a different matter...

I don't like being photographed, especially if it happen without that I notice it at first. I never liked it...

Most people have that to some extent.  Part of it is just the shock of seeing your face reversed from the way you're accustomed to seeing it (i.e. in a mirror), part of it is that most snapshots aren't very flattering (for a variety of technical reasons).  Part of it is the confidence thing which, of course, the unflattering snapshots only serve to reinforce.

OT, but I have to ask, should I be pronouncing your login "katiekun" or "katiekwan?"

Photophobia means fear of light.

I don't like being photographed unless I ask for it.

I don't like being photographed at the best of times, but I can get very angry, very quickly, if my photo is taken unwillingly - I once sprayed hairspray at a guy who popped up in my face at a neighbour's house party and clicked his shutter.  I didn't even stop to think, the can was handy and it seemed appropriate.  Apparantly it wasn't.... :S

I love having my picture taken.

I dislike having my picture taken, but I am not phobic about it.

I don't like having my photo taken but wouldn't say it is a phobia.

I don't have Photophobia as you may have found out.

I couldn't have done what you did. I'm not very photogenic and don't like changing in and out of clothes. But I think your pictures turned out really nicely.

i like getting my picture taken on occasions.. not just out-of-nowhere. also, i'm not photophobic

Although I don't have a problem with having my picture taken, I am usually the one who takes the pictures!

And the irony of changing in and out of the clothes for the photo shoot that Pakrat was referring to, is that when I was at school I used to be one of the last to get dressed after PE and I kept holding the class up!

I just don't have the patience to keep changing in and out of clothes and get bored at the shops if trying on more than maybe 3 or 4 outfits or pairs of shoes.

I am sensitive to light too. I wear sunglasses during the day, walk in the shade and so forth.