Most people do not feel natural in front of a camera.


(See: I do not feel natural in front of the camera... and this is my job!)


You might be perfectly comfortable talking to your partner, chasing your kids around, or laughing with your friends—but the second a camera points at you, suddenly you're hyper-aware of your hands, your face, your posture, and whether you've always stood that awkwardly.


And then someone says:

"Just act natural!"


Which is possibly the least helpful thing anyone can say.

What does that even mean?!


If you're thinking, "I have no idea what to do when someone takes my picture," you're in very good company... trust me!


The good news is that you don't have to know what you're doing.


That's my job. On the side where the camera isn't staring right at your kisser. But no pressure! That's what this guide is for :)

Family of four smiling outdoors with lush green trees and mountain views in the background.

You Don't Have to Know How to Pose


One of the biggest misconceptions about professional photography is that you need to know how to pose before you show up.


You don't.

You don't need to practice in the mirror.

You don't need to save all the Pinterest poses.


I will guide you through the session.


Sometimes I'll give you a specific pose. Other times, I'll give you something to do.

And there's a big difference.


Instead of telling you to stand completely still and smile at the camera, I might ask you to walk together, hold hands, whisper something ridiculous to your partner, or pull your kids into a giant hug.


The goal is to get you doing something, rather than thinking about what you look like.

Posing vs. Prompting

Young woman with red hair smiling in black graduation cap and gown, standing on university steps.

Posing


Posing is about placing you into a specific position.


Example: "Stand here. Angle your body this direction. Look at me. Now show me a proud smirk."


It's mostly me walking you through it every step of the way. Posing has its place: branding, senior portraits, studio sessions... times where being still and professional looking is more appropriate.

Woman in white midi dress walking through golden meadow with mountains and trees in background.

Prompting


Prompting is about giving you something to do that creates a natural interaction.


Example: "Criss-cross your legs as you walk towards me with your hand swinging your skirt. Now, think about your puppy!"


You're doing the leg work! I give you a direction, you follow it in the way you interpret it, and let it unfold from there. Sometimes, I will build direction on top of prompts you're already doing to build more genuine reactions.

Suddenly you're not thinking about the camera. You're thinking about Your puppy and how happy he makes you.

And somehow, that's when the good photos happen.


(Also, prompt difficulty and duration varies per client. We feel it out as we go!)

Movement Makes Everything Easier


If you're feeling awkward, my first solution is usually:


Move.

Walk.

Spin.

Dance.

Run.

Snuggle.

Play.

Move your hair.

Fix your partner's collar.

Pick up your kid.

Hold hands.


Movement gives your body something to do, which means you're not standing there wondering if your arms look weird.


Movement creates some of the most natural-looking images.

A photo of you walking and laughing with your partner often feels much more like you than a perfectly posed picture where you're both standing completely still.

A joyful family sits on a green hillside, mom lifting toddler in air while dad smiles beside them.

You Don't Have to Look at the Camera


This is a big one.


You are absolutely allowed to look at each other.

In fact, I want you to.


Some of my favorite images are the ones where nobody is looking at the camera.


Look at your partner.

Look at your kids.

Look at the ground while you walk.

Look at the person you're about to marry.

Laugh at something silly.


Those moments create images that feel like memories rather than photographs.

Black and white photo of a couple sharing a romantic moment, nearly kissing outdoors under trees.

What If You Feel Awkward?


You probably will at some point.

And that's okay.


If you feel awkward, tell me.


I'll change the prompt.

We'll move.

We'll take a breath.

We'll try something different.


Sometimes the easiest way to get comfortable is simply to stop trying so hard.


You don't have to nail every photo.


That's why we're taking a whole gallery.

A laughing couple holds hands while walking on a gravel path outdoors, dressed in casual black and gray outfits.

Let Yourself Laugh


You don't need to manufacture a giant, toothy smile every time you look at the camera.


Real laughter is much better.


And yes, sometimes I'll intentionally try to make you laugh.


I may give you a completely absurd prompt.

I don't share my secrets ;)


Will it be cheesy?

Probably.


Will it work?

Usually.

For Couples: Talk to Each Other


One of the easiest ways to forget about the camera is to actually talk to your person.


Tell them something funny.

Reminisce about your first date.

Talk about your wedding plans.

Argue about who takes longer to get ready.


You get the idea.


The more you interact with each other, the less you think about me standing there with a camera.


And the more I can photograph what your relationship actually feels like.

For Families: Let Your Kids Be Kids


If you're bringing your kids, please don't feel like they need to perform.


Let them run.

Let them laugh.

Let them explore.

Let them be silly.


Some of the best family photographs happen in the moments between the "perfect" photos.


The little laugh.

The unexpected hug.

The toddler running toward you.

The sibling interaction you didn't plan.


Those are the things you'll want to remember.


I have a whole blog about this :)

For Maternity Sessions: Belly!


Pregnancy is beautiful.


It's also... a lot.


Your body is changing, your center of gravity has apparently left the building, and now someone is asking you to pose for photos.


No pressure.


I'll guide you through flattering positions and movement that feel comfortable and natural.


You don't have to know how to pose your bump.

I'll help with that.


And if something doesn't feel comfortable, we change it.


Two young siblings sit outdoors cradling a newborn baby in a warm autumn setting.

You Don't Have to Be "Photogenic"


I'm going to let you in on a secret:


Being photogenic is not a requirement for having beautiful photographs.


A huge part of my job is finding the angles, light, moments, and

expressions that make you look (and feel!) like yourself.

You Don't Have to Be "Photogenic"


I'm going to let you in on a secret:


Being photogenic is not a requirement for having beautiful photographs.


A huge part of my job is finding the angles, light, moments, and

expressions that make you look (and feel!) like yourself.

The Best Photos Usually Happen When You're Not Trying


This is really the whole point.


The goal isn't to create a gallery where every single photograph looks perfectly posed.


I want a mix.


A few classic portraits.

A few looking-at-the-camera photos.

A lot of movement.

A lot of connection.


And those little in-between moments that you didn't even realize I was photographing.


Because those are often the photographs that end up meaning the most.

So, How Do You Look Natural?


You don't have to.


You just have to be present.


Talk to your person.

Play with your kids.

Laugh.

Walk.

Snuggle.

Take a breath.


Forget about the camera for a minute.

Pregnant couple embracing in a green meadow with wildflowers and misty mountains under a cloudy sky.

Hopefully, this put you at ease.


I'll guide you when you need it and step back when you don't.


Because your job isn't to be a model.

Your job is to be you.


And I'll take care of turning that into photographs you'll actually want to keep.


Let's connect.