5 Tips for a Relaxed Portrait Session

Most people walk into a portrait session convinced they're "not photogenic." By the end, almost everyone changes their mind.

1. Wear something you already love

Don't buy a new outfit the day before. Wear something you reach for naturally, something that fits well and makes you feel like yourself. New clothes make people stiff. Familiar clothes make people comfortable.

2. Show up a few minutes early

Rushing to a session means you arrive tense. Give yourself 10 extra minutes to park, walk around, take a breath. The first 5 minutes of any shoot are always warm-up minutes — don't spend them stressed.

3. Bring something to do with your hands

Hands are the hardest part of any portrait. Bring a coffee cup, a book, your dog — anything that gives your hands a natural reason to exist in the frame.

4. Tell me what you hate about photos of yourself

If you hate how you look when you smile wide, or you're self-conscious about a certain angle — tell me before we start. I can work around it.

5. Move. Don't pose.

The best portraits happen between poses — when someone laughs at something unexpected, or forgets the camera exists for a second. Movement creates those moments. Trust the process.