let's be honest. most people feel awkward in front of a camera.

you're not alone if the idea of being photographed makes you want to crawl into a hole. if you've ever said "i'm so not photogenic" or "i hate how i look in pictures" or "can we just skip the couple portraits?" - i get it. i've heard it a hundred times, and i promise you're not broken.

you're just human.

the truth is, feeling comfortable in front of the camera isn't about being naturally photogenic or confident. it's about being guided by someone who gets it - and knowing a few tricks that make the whole thing feel less like a photoshoot and more like just hanging out with someone who happens to have a camera.

so if you're dreading your engagement shoot or stressing about wedding day photos, this one's for you.

why most people feel awkward (and why that's totally normal)

here's the thing - being photographed is weird. someone's pointing a lens at you, asking you to "be natural" while also being hyper-aware that every blink and smile is being captured forever. it's like being told to "act casual" - suddenly you forget how to stand like a normal person.

add in the fact that most of us only see heavily filtered, posed versions of ourselves on instagram, and it's no wonder you feel pressure to look or act a certain way.

but here's what i've learned after years of photographing couples: the best photos happen when you forget i'm there. when you're laughing at something your partner said, or stealing a quiet moment, or just existing together without trying to perform.

that's the magic. and my job is to create space for that to happen.

what i do differently (so you don't have to stress)

i don't believe in stiff posing or fake smiles. i'm not going to tell you to "say cheese" or make you hold an uncomfortable position for five minutes while i fiddle with my settings.

instead, i direct moments - not poses.

here's what that looks like:

i'll ask you to walk towards me holding hands, then whisper something that made you laugh on your first date
i'll have you stand close, foreheads touching, and just breathe together
i'll tell you to spin her around, dip her, kiss her neck, make her giggle
i'll ask you questions that get you talking and forgetting about the camera - how you met, your favourite memory together, what you're most excited about

the goal isn't perfection. it's connection. and when you're focused on each other instead of the camera, that's when the real magic happens.

the biggest mindset shift that changes everything

ready for this? here it is:

you're not trying to look good in photos. you're trying to feel good in the moment - and the photos will follow.

when you're genuinely laughing, genuinely connecting, genuinely present with your partner - that's what shows up in the images. that's what makes you look back at your photos and feel something.

the couples who love their photos the most aren't the ones who posed perfectly. they're the ones who trusted the process, let go of control, and just enjoyed being together.

my actual tips for feeling comfortable on shoot day

before the shoot:

wear something that makes you feel like yourself - not what you think you "should" wear for photos. if you feel confident and comfortable, it shows
don't skip meals or caffeine if that's your normal routine - being hangry or under-caffeinated won't help anyone
remember: i've done this hundreds of times. i know how to make you look good. trust me

during the shoot:

move. seriously. walking, spinning, dancing, running - movement feels more natural than standing still, and it gives us those candid in-between moments
talk to each other. i'll give you prompts, but don't just stand there in silence. chat, laugh, be yourselves
if something feels weird, tell me. i'd rather adjust than have you suffer through an uncomfortable pose
focus on your partner, not the camera. pretend i'm not there (i know, easier said than done - but i'll help)

what to do when you're mid-shoot and feeling stiff

it happens. you're 10 minutes in and you feel like a robot. here's what to do:

make each other laugh. tickle them, tell a bad joke, do something silly
take a break. we can pause, have a snack, reset
tell me. i'll switch it up, try something different, give you a moment

i'm not here to force you into anything. if something's not working, we pivot. simple as that.

the photos you'll actually love

here's what i've noticed: the photos my couples love most are never the "perfect" ones.

they're the ones where:

you're mid-laugh and your face is scrunched up
he's kissing your forehead and your eyes are closed
you're walking away from the camera, hand in hand, not even looking at me
you're whispering something and she's smiling like she has a secret

those are the real moments. the ones that feel like you. and those are the ones i'm always chasing.

trust the process (and trust me)

i know it's hard to believe when you're standing in front of a camera feeling like a deer in headlights, but i promise - you're going to love your photos.

not because you suddenly became a model, but because i'm going to capture you as you actually are. laughing, connecting, being in love. and that's always beautiful.

so if you're worried about your engagement shoot or your wedding day portraits, take a breath. show up as yourself. trust that i know what i'm doing. and let go of the idea that you need to be perfect.

you don't. you just need to be you.

and that's more than enough.

ready to book your shoot? let's make some magic - awkwardness and all 🫶🏼