TL;DR: Nervous about being in front of the camera? I got you. This post walks you through how I help my clients go from “I’m SO awkward” to “Wait… I love these?!” — with real stories, gentle guidance, and a big ol’ permission slip to just be yourself. 💛
Let’s get real for a second — if the thought of being in front of a camera makes you want to run for the hills… YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard things like:
“We’re SO awkward.” “I hate how I look in photos.” “We have no idea what to do with our hands.”
Sound familiar? (Hehe, I know you just nodded yes.)
But guess what? That awkward, nervous energy? That’s actually where the MAGIC starts. Because helping people go from camera-shy to comfortable is one of my absolute favorite parts of what I do.
This blog is for you if:
- You’ve been putting off booking a session because you feel self-conscious
- You think you’re “not photogenic”
- You want photos that actually feel like you — not stiff, not staged, just… REAL
Let’s dive into how I help you go from “What do I do with my hands?!” to “OMG these are my favorite photos EVER.”
First things first: it’s totally normal to feel nervous
Whether it’s your first professional photoshoot or you just haven’t loved photos of yourself in the past, know this: you’re not weird, high-maintenance, or overthinking it. You’re HUMAN.
Most of my favorite sessions have started with someone telling me, “Just a heads up… we’re super awkward.” And 100% of those people? They end up laughing, moving, having fun — and LOVING their gallery.
You don’t need to be a model or know your angles. You just need to show up as you. I’ll take care of the rest.
Here’s what I actually do to help you feel comfortable
(Yes, there’s a method to the magic!)
- 🎵 We set the vibe — Music, casual conversation, and a relaxed pace to help you settle in.
- 🧠 I guide you the whole time — No guessing what to do. I give you prompts, movement cues, and yes, jokes. Awkward silence? Never met her.
- 📸 We move around — Whether we’re strolling through a downtown street or cozying up at home, movement helps you stop overthinking and just be.
- 🧥 Style help? Covered. — You’ll get a prep guide with outfit tips, color palettes, and a few “what NOT to wear” tricks I’ve learned over 14+ years.
- 💬 I’m talking to you the entire time — I make it feel like we’re just hanging out. You’ll forget the camera is even there.
A real story (because you know I love my people)
Let me introduce you to Hunter. He left one of the most heartfelt reviews I’ve ever received — and it perfectly captures the kind of experience I want everyone to have in front of the camera:
“I had insecurities that I wouldn’t photograph well. Maybe I would be awkward… It took no less than 2 minutes into our initial photo shoot that all of my fears and anxiety went away — and that’s because of how wonderful Emily is. I honestly felt like I was around someone I knew for years. Her warm personality immediately makes you feel at ease… When we got our photos back, I was very happy with how my future wife and I looked for our engagement photos. Suddenly, I had ZERO reservations or worries about how our wedding photos would turn out.”
He went from worried he’d be awkward to fully confident — and that’s the transformation I LIVE for. That’s why I do this. When people say things like, “I actually love how I look in these” or “this FEELS like us” — that’s everything.
Your photos should feel like you, and you should feel seen.
What to expect when you book with me
Whether it’s a portrait session, couples shoot, or engagement session, here’s how I make things easy:
- I send you everything you need to prep (outfits, what to bring, what to expect)
- I walk you through locations that feel right for you and your season of life
- I show up early, calm, and ready to guide the whole experience
- I read your energy — if you’re nervous, I adjust. If you’re goofy, we lean in.
You’re not just getting pretty pictures. You’re getting a moment of your life beautifully, truthfully captured — in a way that feels like YOU.
Still feeling unsure?
If you’ve been sitting on the idea of booking because you’re afraid of feeling awkward or disappointed… this is your sign.
You don’t have to wait to lose 10 pounds. You don’t have to learn how to pose. You don’t have to magically become confident first.
You just need someone who can see you. And I can do that.
Let’s make something beautiful — together.
👉 Ready to feel confident and actually love your photos? Let’s chat — no pressure, just connection.
Quick FAQs
“I’m not photogenic. Can you still help me?”
Yes. And I’ll prove it to you. 😉
“What if I don’t know what to wear?”
I’ve got you! I send a full style guide, and you can always send me outfit options for feedback.
“Can my partner/friend/dog come?”
Yes to all of the above. Anything that helps you feel more comfortable is welcome.
“What if it rains?”
We reschedule or move indoors — no stress. I always build in flexibility.
