phobia of being photographed, video taped

[Zoe Girl]

I was just searching on this, got a lot of hits about people worried they are secretly video taped. Not exactly what i was looking for. I just realized that anytime I have been videotaped such as when I was teaching as part of an interview process I just bomb it. I just pushed through, knew everyone got nervous, but I realize maybe I have a real fear or anxiety attack or something. I get good feedback in many cases doing the same activity as long as there is not a video camera involved. I am pretty comfortable teaching and training, being watched however (video camera, authority figure, evaluation) I just freeze up and have to admit I suck at what I am doing. I did mediation training a year ago and was doing well over the 2 weekends, and then the last one I agreed to be videotaped for a short time. I really didn't do a good job compared to the rest of the practices.

My sister is so bothered by this she tells her principal to not tell her if she is going to be observed and not bring in strangers in her classroom, after about 20 years of teaching even. Of course there are times they have to but she is usually a wreck if she knows ahead of time.

Probably just some form of social anxiety, anyone else have this?

[iris lilies]

Fortunately, there are not times when I have to be photographed or videotaped. I wouldnt like it. When I think about it, if its a smallish group, I would not like to see a person listening to my presentarin with a camera stuck to his face. If there was a way to put the camera down on a tripod or table and have the person sit or stand as a normal member of the audience, I would like that better.

[ToomuchStuff]

I have been on tv once or twice (once part of a group, don't remember if the other was real or a dream from something as a kid). But as I got older and with the push I felt from family to leave no trace (rather then make a difference), I didn't like to have my picture taken, and would much rather be behind the camera. I don't really think of it as a phobia, but a personal preference.
I went as far as getting into it with my school principle after him promising me I wouldn't appear in the high school yearbook. I was never in any other year.
It does seem weird though, that while we may feel anonymous in places such as this, with today's tech, one could easily be found with the aid of computer and their postings. Yet I was ticked when I found out I was written about in a book that a friend of mine helped ghost write. So a photo and video phobia, is more a phobia of appearance, then substance, which is what these posts are.

[ctg492]

My new neighbors put up security cameras, one faces between our garages. I was so bothered for so many reasons. The joke was with the other neighbors "should we put lipstick on to go out to garage?". I smiled each time I went to the 2nd garage, now I forget about it. We are all on video just about everywhere we go anymore. I figure now no one is staring at me and picking me apart if my hair is not right or my pants fit funny. I am just one in the thousands of people on the video day.

[Zoe Girl]

I wonder if it is because people can look at it later and then comment on it or nit pick. I also get some points where attention is just anxiety producing. Like baby showers and birthday parties, really hate the opening gifts part. I can 'drop in' to a place where I can be in front or in charge and it is a different type of being really. Then the nervousness goes away, and I get feedback I do a good job. I do training for staff and I help run a meditation group (yup, helping everyone sit and say nothing!) But a camera interferes with that ability and comfort.

I think I am getting used to the cameras everywhere. I worked in banks and now in schools, there are cameras everywhere I have worked for many years so I can tune that out.

[Ultralight]

During my 35th year of life I went without taking photos or videos or purposefully appearing in photos or videos. I did it as a lifestyle experiment.

I learned a lot and it was interesting.

[sweetana3]

I just plain hate to see myself in photos. Makes me remember I am now old. I don't feel old or think old, I hope, and don't like the reminder. Don't care a whit about what others think about it or see in photos or camera shots. Just don't show them to me.

I do like seeing the very few photos we have around of me and husband as youngsters. Especially those crazy school whole grade photographs. In one I am still wearing my snowpants. Must have been late getting to school. (and I am in the front row.)

[RoseQuartz]

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[Float On]

I never had a problem with it. In college when I applied to be a cave guide for summers they interviewed in front of video camera and our audition was in front of the camera too. They figured if we weren't afraid of being video'd we'd have no problem leading and talking to a group of 60 people for an hour. And then I had the opportunity to be the face of Branson when 60 minutes came to film about the town. I opened the front doors of a theater and said "welcome to Branson" (in my most southern Missouri voice I could muster). Sadly my part of the opening introduction to the Branson special ended up being deleted by the time youtube came around and a copy was put on there. I was also filmed for a PBS special doing a glass bead demo and DH has been filmed numerous times for commercials and interviews and demos.

[Zoe Girl]

I didn't think I had a problem, until I realized that I was seeing my work much worse when video taped than other times. And comparing feedback confirmed that I was not comfortable on camera. I just don't want to limit my options because of it, so I guess it is time to work on it.

Did it help to do that UA?

[larknm]

To me it is a boundary issue if someone takes someone else's photo without her permission, and whenever "required" by job or other high-pressure requiring, important to say no whenever possible.