How can I be myself in front of the camera?

I get this question a lot from my clients—and I have good news:

You don’t need to know what to do in front of the camera.
That’s *my* job.

Your branding session is more than just taking beautiful photos—it's about telling the story of your brand. These images give potential clients a window into who you are, what you stand for, and what it feels like to work with you.

I Always Look Awkward in Pictures...

Have you ever said this to yourself? Maybe you’ve even had someone tell you, “You’re difficult to photograph.”

I hear this concern from almost every single client I work with. And my response is always the same: Of course, you feel that way! Most likely, someone took a photo from an unflattering angle, in bad lighting, or at a moment when you weren’t comfortable. Maybe you didn’t know how to pose, or you were caught mid-blink or mid-sentence. The good news? None of that is your fault. And even better news? I’ve got you covered.

I often see small businesses wrestling with this question. Think about how much time you spend online scrolling through options—looking for the perfect restaurant for dinner, the best car to buy, a reliable electrician, or a top-notch hair salon. If this isn’t something you personally do, consider your ideal client’s habits. How do they research and choose the professionals they hire or the products they purchase?

While on a recent trip to England, I found myself in a very old pub in Glastonbury called The George and Pilgrims. As I sat there with the group I was traveling with, in walked this woman with such an incredible energy about her. She sat in the front window, and the light coming in kept catching my eye. I knew I would regret it if I didn't capture what I was seeing, so I did the thing that I never do - I went up to a complete stranger with my camera and asked if I could take her portrait. She smiled, was flattered, and said YES! I didn't give her much direction, as I wanted the portrait to be natural.

For some reason this proverb has really stuck in my head and I find myself thinking about it often. Recently, I realized that this holds true for portraits of ourselves, our families and our friends

We often look back and wish we’d preserved certain stages of our lives, our careers, or our families and friends. If you’ve ever thought, ‘I should have done this sooner,’ consider this your sign to start now. Whether it’s a personal portrait, a professional headshot, or a branding session, today is the perfect time to create images you’ll be grateful to have tomorrow.

When it comes to professional photography, everyone’s needs are unique. Your photos should reflect where you are and where you’re headed—whether you're building a personal connection through a headshot or telling the full story of your business with a personal branding session. Each has its purpose, so choose wisely!

I often think that having your headshot taken can feel similar to going to the dentist... I know this sounds ridiculous, but hear me out. This all came to me one day when I was at the dentist. I was using all of my yoga training to try to stay relaxed when I realized that my legs were completely tense and my hands were gripping the chair. I would relax them and then moments later it would happen again. It was then that I made the connection to what I saw happening for my clients in sessions.