Brand Building: Living The Whole Picture with Jama Pantel
Brand Building: Living the Whole Picture is the go-to podcast for ambitious women ready to elevate their visibility, build authentic confidence, and become the face of their brand.
Hosted by luxury portrait photographer, author, educator, and former influencer Jama Pantel, this podcast delivers actionable strategies on personal branding, photography, and business growth—so you can step into the spotlight with clarity and purpose.
If you've ever felt unseen in your industry, struggled with confidence on camera, or hesitated to show up boldly, this is your roadmap to build a powerful presence that gets you noticed and respected.
Join Jama as she helps you build a brand that stands out, master your presence in photos and video, and turn your expertise into a magnetic business.
It’s time to stop playing small and start showing up like the leader you were meant to be.
Brand Building: Living The Whole Picture with Jama Pantel
Why You Feel So Vulnerable in Photos (and How to Take Back Your Confidence)
Episode Summary
Ever looked at a photo of yourself and felt that sinking feeling—“That doesn’t even look like me”? Or worse, felt a wave of judgment that had nothing to do with how you look—and everything to do with how you feel?
In this episode, we’re talking about why being photographed feels so vulnerable—and how to begin taking your confidence back.
This isn’t about filters, posing, or camera tricks. It’s about visibility. It's about the emotional weight that shows up when you’re truly seen. Whether you're building a personal brand or just learning to stop hiding, this quick episode is here to help you understand what’s really behind that hesitation and how to work through it with kindness and clarity.
Timestamps
00:00 – Why “I don’t like photos of myself” goes deeper than we think
00:52 – The hidden judgment women carry about being seen
01:45 – Why it’s not vanity—it’s self-respect
02:20 – A mindset shift for the next time you're in front of the camera
02:47 – Free resources to help you build confidence on camera
Key Takeaways
- Being photographed isn’t about appearance—it’s about visibility. Feeling exposed in front of a camera is a valid emotional response, especially for women who’ve been judged more for how they look than what they do.
- It’s not vanity to want to like your photos. It’s about letting the outside reflect the strength, work, and growth happening inside.
- You’re not broken if the camera makes you nervous. It means you’re human—and it’s possible to build confidence through awareness and small shifts.
- People don’t want perfect. They want real. Let them see the light in your eyes and the truth in your posture.
- You have the right to be seen exactly as you are—or who you're becoming. Every photo is a chance to reclaim that.
Call to Action
Want to build confidence on camera and elevate your personal brand?
Grab one (or all) of my free resources to help you show up with clarity, ease, and authenticity:
✔️ Quick Tips for Social Media Portraits
✔️ Natural Light Cheat Sheet
✔️ Strike a Pose Guide
✔️ 30 Days of Personal Brand Prompts
Looking for more in-depth support?
✔️ Watch my pre-recorded course: Show Up Confidently on Camera
Have questions or want to work together?
✔️ Reach out here: www.jamapantel.com/contact
And be sure to subscribe so you never miss new tips, trainings, or tools:
✔️ www.jamapantel.com
You can access all of these at www.jamapantel.com. And while you’re there, be sure to subscribe so you never miss a new tip, tool, or personal insight to help you live—and show—the whole picture.
Hey y'all, it's your podcast bestie Jama, coming at you again, and today I want to talk about something that goes way deeper than "I just don't like pictures of myself. We're talking about why being photographed can feel so incredibly vulnerable, like emotionally exposed kind of vulnerable or is that just me? If you've ever looked at a photo and felt a wave of self-judgment or worse, like it didn't reflect who you really are, you're not alone. I've seen this not just in my own life, but in nearly every client I've photographed. Women will show up polished, prepped and ready, or after hair and makeup. But the moment the camera comes out, something shifts. And here's why being photographed isn't just about how you look. It's about being seen, really seen.
Jama Pantel:For so many women, especially high achievers, there's been a long history of being judged based on appearance instead of value. So when a camera turns on you, it can bring out all of that history to the surface. Suddenly, it's not about lighting or angles, it's about am I good enough? Will people judge me? What if they see me before I'm ready? And sometimes it's not even others we're afraid of. It' s ourselves. Seeing our reflection frozen in time can feel like a confrontation. That's why it feels vulnerable, because it really truly is. I'm here to tell you what you're really feeling isn't about vanity. We've been told for far too long that caring about how we look is vain, but I don't buy into that. Wanting to see yourself in a way that feels honest, powerful and kind, that's not vanity, that's self-respect. It's about wanting the outside to reflect what you've worked so hard to build on the inside. And that's not superficial, it's sacred. You want to be seen for who you are. So here's what you need to know. If being photographed makes you nervous, you're not broken. You're human. The next time someone takes your photo, pause for a second, take a deep breath, stand tall and ask yourself what if this is the moment I stop hiding and I truly show my real self? Because the truth is, people aren't looking for perfect, they're looking for real. They want to see the light in your eyes, the strength in your posture, the softness, the grit, the whole picture. So now's the time to let yourself be seen, not just for how you look, but who you are, or who you are becoming, because every time you step in front of the camera, you're not just capturing a moment, you're reclaiming your voice and if you're ready to start showing up with more confidence and clarity.
Jama Pantel:I've got some free resources that can help you. Whether you're working on your personal brand, learning to love the lens or just want to feel more like yourself in photos, I've created some tools to support you wherever you are in your journey, and I'll put those in the show notes below. You can find everything at jamapantel. com on my website, including a way to contact me directly if you have any questions or want to work together. Don't forget to subscribe while you're on the website so you never miss anything. I like to share new tips, trainings, tools. My blog is always happening to help you show up and live the whole picture. Talk to you soon. Bye, y'all.
