Five Tips for Feeling Comfortable in Front of the Camera

Almost everyone says the same thing before a session: "I hate having my photo taken." That's normal, and a big part of my job is helping people forget the camera is even there. Here are five things that consistently help.

1. Move, don't pose

Static poses feel stiff and look stiff. I ask clients to walk, laugh, or talk to each other instead of holding a pose — the best frames usually happen in the moments between "poses."

2. Wear something you'd actually wear

Clothes that feel unfamiliar show on camera. Comfortable, true-to-you outfits photograph better than anything borrowed for the occasion.

3. Give yourself time to warm up

The first five minutes of any session are almost always the most awkward. That's expected — by the halfway point, most people have relaxed into it.

4. Bring a friend or partner

Having someone familiar in the frame (or just nearby) takes a lot of the pressure off of performing for the camera alone.

5. Trust the photographer's direction

Small adjustments — chin down, shoulders back, weight on one foot — are things I'm watching for so you don't have to. Let direction happen instead of trying to manage it yourself.

None of these tips require practice or experience in front of a camera — just a little trust in the process, and the results usually speak for themselves.