If you have ever said:
I am awkward in photos.
I never know what to do with my hands ~
or
Please do not post that!
You are in very good company. Pretty much every single client I work with says something along those lines before we start. And I get it. Having a camera pointed at you can feel weird if you are not used to it.
But here is the truth:
You do not need to be a model.
You do not need to know how to pose.
You just need to show up as you.
That is it. And I will take care of the rest.
Here is how I help people go from stiff and unsure to relaxed and real (and actually enjoying the shoot.)
We talk first
No one is jumping straight into photos. We chat a little. We walk around. You tell me about your dog or your job or the coffee you are currently obsessed with. This is when you stop feeling like someone who is about to be photographed and just start feeling like yourself again.
You do not have to pose
Seriously. You do not have to know how to stand or where to look or what to do with your face. That is my job. Some of the best photos happen in the in-between moments, like when you laugh at something, shift your weight or just take a breath. That is the magic.
Movement helps a lot
Standing totally still makes everyone feel weird. So we keep it moving. Maybe you walk a few steps, adjust your sleeve or sit down and lean back. Little natural things that get your body relaxed and help your face follow.
Know why you are doing this
This shoot is not about being perfect. It is about being honest. Whether this is for your brand your family or just for you the goal is not to impress someone. The goal is to feel like the version of yourself you actually love and to capture that.
Trust me a little
I promise I am watching for the light the angles and the exact second your shoulders drop and your real smile shows up. I am not here to make you look like someone else. I am here to photograph the person your friends already see when they look at you.
That first five minutes in front of the camera might feel a little awkward. But give it a second. I have seen it happen a hundred times. You settle in. You stop overthinking. You start to have fun.
And that is where the good stuff lives.
Is it golden hour yet?
