One of the most common things I hear before a portrait session is: “I have no idea what to do in front of a camera.”“Tell me exactly where to put my hands.”“I’m going to look awkward. ” Here’s the truth. You’re not supposed to know how to pose. That’s my job. The Pressure to “Perform” When people think about portrait photography, they imagine: Holding a smile too long Stiff shoulders Overthinking every movement Wondering what their face is doing That pressure creates tension.

One of the biggest concerns people share before booking a portrait session is this: “I just don’t want it to look staged.”“I don’t want to look like I’m pretending.”“I want it to feel like me. ” That word, authentic , matters. Especially if you’re a healthcare professional, consultant, creative, or business owner. Your portrait isn’t just an image. It represents your personality, your values, your presence. If it feels forced, people can sense it. The Fear Behind “Authenticit

If you’ve ever thought: “I’m just not photogenic. I always pull a weird face. I look awkward in every picture.” You’re not alone. One of my recent clients - a clinical healthcare professional - arrived at her portrait session feeling anxious. She joked beforehand that she “pulls a Chandler face in every photo” and described herself as “an awkward potato in front of a camera.” And yet, when she saw the final images, her reaction was simple: “I was shocked that the pictures tur

One of the first questions I get before a session is: “What should I wear?”or “Do I need a suit?” Let me simplify it for you. Your headshot isn’t about dressing up. It’s about representing how you want to be perceived. First: It Doesn’t Have to Be Formal Unless your industry requires it, you don’t need a full suit and tie. You can be: An expert Professional Credible And still approachable. For many corporate and personal branding clients, a smart blazer, knitwear, or structu

One of the biggest concerns I hear before a session is: “I’m going to look awkward. I don’t know how to pose.“I’m terrible in front of the camera.” Here’s the truth: awkward isn’t a personality trait - it’s a lack of direction. And that’s not your responsibility. It’s mine. Why People Look Stiff in Photos Most stiffness happens when: You’re overthinking your expression You’ve been told to “just smile” You’re holding a pose for too long There’s no conversation happening A grea

It’s the first thing people say to me before a headshot session: “I’m not photogenic.” Let me reassure you: after photographing hundreds of professionals across corporate, healthcare, and personal branding sectors, being photogenic isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something created. And it’s my job to create it. Why You Think  You’re Not Photogenic Most people base this belief on: A rushed phone photo Bad lighting Being caught mid-sentence Or not knowing what to do with