How to feel relaxed in front of the camera

Almost every session starts the same way. Someone arrives, smiles a little nervously and says: “I have to warn you, I’m really not photogenic.” I love that moment, because it is always followed by the photos proving otherwise.

Feeling awkward in front of a camera is normal. The good news is that it has very little to do with how you look, and a lot to do with how you feel. Here is what makes the biggest difference.

Choose clothes you already love

A photoshoot is not the moment to try something new. Pick the outfit you feel best in, the one you reach for on a good day. Soft textures and simple colours photograph beautifully, and they keep the attention on you.

Give yourself something to do

Standing still and “posing” is where tension creeps in. Walk, sit on a step, hold a coffee, play with your hair, look at the person you came with. Movement creates the natural expressions that feel like you.

The best photos rarely come from the pose. They come from the moment right after it.

Talk, don’t perform

I will talk to you the whole time, ask silly questions and tell you when something works. You don’t need to know what to do with your hands. That is my job, not yours.

Trust the first ten minutes to be the warm-up

The first shots are for getting used to the camera. By the end of the session, most people forget it is there, and that is exactly when the magic happens ✨