“I’m awkward in front of the camera.”
“I never know what to do with my hands.”
“I don’t know how to pose.”
“I hate having my picture taken.”
Photographers hear these things all the time. And if you’ve ever said one of them, I have something important to tell you:
You are not supposed to know what to do.
That’s my job.
You don’t need to practice poses before your session. I mean, you can—it’s fun, I get it. But you don’t need to study Pinterest, know your “good side,” perfect your smile, or arrive knowing exactly where your hands are supposed to go.
You just need to show up.
Posing Isn’t Really About Posing
Yes, sometimes I’ll pose you.
I might ask you to turn your body a little, shift your weight, move your hand, tilt your head, or bring everyone a little closer together.
Those little adjustments matter.
But I don’t want to spend an entire session arranging you into a series of poses and asking you to hold them while I take pictures.
I want to photograph you.
So sometimes instead of telling you how to pose, I’ll give you something to do.
Walk toward me. Look at each other. Make her laugh. Whisper something ridiculous. Snuggle that kiddo. Play with your dog. Toss your hair. Give me attitude.
And yes, apparently I might even ask you to channel every dramatic soap-opera entrance and exit you’ve ever seen.
Whatever works.
Because something changes when you stop thinking, Where do I put my hands?
You start reacting instead.
And reactions are where the good stuff lives.
Awkward Is Allowed
There is a camera pointed at you.
For most people, that’s not a normal Tuesday afternoon.
Of course you might feel a little awkward at first!
You don’t have to pretend you aren’t nervous. In fact, tell me. If you’re uncomfortable, if there is something you’re self-conscious about, or if you simply have NO idea what to do once that camera comes up to my face, I want to know.
Then I can help.
And here’s something I’ve noticed: the beginning of a session and the end of a session can feel completely different.
At first, you may be thinking about the camera.
Then we start talking.
We move around.
Something makes you laugh.
You forget about your hands.
You stop wondering whether you’re standing correctly.
And somewhere in there, you start having fun.
That’s what I’m waiting for.
I Don’t Need You to Be a Model
I’m not looking for perfection.
I’m looking for the little expression that happens right after you laugh. The way your child naturally leans into you. The look between two people who know each other so well that they don’t need words. The personality that shows up when someone finally decides, “Okay, fine, I’m going ALL IN on this.”
Those moments don’t require modeling experience.
They require you to be yourself.
My job is to create enough direction and enough comfort to give those moments room to happen—and then be ready with my camera when they do.
So What Should You Do Before Your Session?
Choose clothes that make you feel good.
Bring the people—or pets—you love.
Tell me anything you think I should know.
And then leave the rest to me.
You don’t have to know how to pose.
You don’t have to know what to do with your hands.
You don’t even have to believe me yet when I tell you that you’re going to do just fine.
Come as you are.
We’ll talk. We’ll move. We’ll laugh. I’ll direct you when you need it and give you room when you don’t.
And if all else fails?
Well…
I’m pretty sure I can come up with something ridiculous for you to do.
Photographs become memories the moment the shutter clicks.
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