Camera shy... Anyone else hate having their picture taken?

my wife tells me that i need to have more taken so when im dead my daughter has some pictures of me.... with that said she hates having her made too. go figure,

 

I don't mind my picture being taken, I just hate what it looks like. My wife sucks at it herself being she can't pose to save her life (which is why I was so happy with her photo shoot, the photog got her posing fantastically)

 

It’s kinda funny how I hate to have my picture taken but on the other hand I’ve always been an exhibitionist.

 

I either look really good or not so good in pictures.

 

I mainly hate it when it's a group photo, and the photographer can't seem to make up his/her mind about how to squeeze everyone in.

 

I absolutely hate having my picture taken. But, my wife and 5 kids love it. So.....I take pictures with a "smile".

 

All of this, many times over.

I don't have formal photography training, but three years ago I was lucky enough to be on a cruise with some instruction sessions offered by National Geographic photographers. Aside from those storied "rules" of photography that are often taught and shared—the rule of thirds, composition principles of balance, symmetry, contrast, line, etc.—the most surprising and impactful piece of advice I got about photographing people is to take them by surprise. All told, candid photos pack a stronger punch than posed photos.

As hesitant as I can be sometimes to whip out my massive and intimidating DSLR in front of people when they don't expect it, candid portraits are my very favorite type of photos to take.

And yet I feel super awkward taking selfies.