How to Feel Comfortable and Look Natural in Front of the Camera

Nearly every single person I’ve photographed has said some version of, “I’m worried about being awkward in front of the camera,” before their shoot. Because this is something nearly everyone experiences, it feels worth talking about.

First of all, when it comes to worrying about being awkward in front of the camera, I feel the same way! Getting photographed myself has helped me more than anything else I’ve done behind the camera. I’ve learned what I will and won’t do for my clients based on how it felt when I experienced it myself. Unless getting in front of the camera is something you do regularly, it’s going to feel a little scary because it’s probably not something you’ve done in a long time—or maybe ever. Nerves are normal, and you are going to be 100% okay.

Now that we’ve established that what you’re feeling is completely normal, let’s talk about how I address it.

You do NOT need to know how to pose.

First and foremost, you do not need to know how to pose. If you leave this blog with one piece of information, let it be that. Most of my clients have never had professional photos taken outside of school pictures. How unfair would it be if I expected them to know how to do something they’ve never done before?

From the beginning of our time together until the very end, I’ll be guiding you the entire time. You’ll never be left wondering what to do or where to look.

Start with an intention.

I design my shoots with intention. Before you ever get in front of the camera, we’ve already discussed the overall feeling we want to capture, which gives us an anchor point throughout the session. At the start of every shoot, I take a few moments to remind you of that feeling, laugh away some of the nerves, and address any concerns you might have.

I also expect the first 10 minutes of every session to be a bit of an icebreaker. Starting my shoots by having couples do something away from the camera—and focused entirely on each other—helps them settle into the moment and release the pressure of feeling like they need to perform.

Movement is a key ingredient.

I consider my shoots to be pretty interactive, with lots of movement. Standing and staring into the camera for a full hour can feel really nerve-racking for a lot of people (myself included). Instead, I approach our session like I’m directing a scene in a movie.

Some examples of things I might say:

“Think back to how you felt as a kid. Hold hands, run, and spin around together.”

“Hold each other by the waist and just take in the moment together.”

“Let him take your hand like he’s leading you on an adventure.”

“Let her rest her head in your lap while you gently play with her hair.”

These types of prompts create the foundation for real moments to unfold organically. They help my clients get out of their heads and so focused on each other that they forget I’m even there.

The result? Real smiles. Genuine laughter. Photos that feel like memories instead of stiff poses.

If you want an experience that feels more like play than posing, I’d love to hear from you. Fill out my contact form so I can learn more about what you’re envisioning and walk you through any concerns you might have.