It's Totally Okay!
Yep yep yep, totally fine that you're nervous for your photos to be taken. In fact, it's probably a little good that you feel nervous before photos.
One benefit of feeling a little nervous is that it keeps you awake, engaged, and present. It’s literally just a sign that you care.
But, of course we want to ease your nerves as much as possible. So here's a few tips on how we can avoid that.
To Ease Your Nerves...
One thing I always want you to remember before your session is this: if you’ve chosen an experienced photographer, they know how to make things feel comfortable. That’s part of our job — and something we’re very used to.
When I photograph my couples, my entire focus is making sure you’re not just relaxed, but actually having fun. I want the session to feel like you. This means the shared giggles, the quiet moments, the way you naturally look at each other without even realizing it.
Yes, we’re there for beautiful photos. But it's just as important to me is that you leave feeling like you had a really good time together. Like you went on a fun little date, forgot about the camera, and walked away thinking "wow! Do I like getting my photos taken?"
What to Expect During a Session
Meeting each other:
Once we recognize each other (you’ll likely see a short-ish gal with a camera or two on her), we’ll of course introduce ourselves and I’ll probably mention the weather (I’m a weather-talk person. Hot take!). Then I’ll give you a quick rundown of how the shoot will go and a couple small things to keep in mind.
Starting off:
I always start with walking shots. Movement shots are my favorite in general, and they’re also the easiest way to shake out the nerves. You don’t have to “pose,” you don’t have to know what to do with your face, and you can just focus on being with your person.
I’ll give you something simple like: walk toward me, walk away from me, bump hips, hold hands, talk about your dinner plans, make each other laugh on purpose. Nothing deep. Just enough to get you moving and feeling normal.
Some Posed Moments:
Once you’re warmed up, we’ll slow it down a bit. This is where you’ll get those cozy, close-up photos that feel really sweet and personal. These photos will still include small movements - like fixing each others hair, touching noses, and lots of kisses.
The Fun Parts:
I want to document how you actually exist together — the playfulness, the inside jokes, the silly sides you bring out in each other. This usually means lots of movement, lots of laughter, and moments that happen naturally in between prompts. Those are often the photos people end up loving the most!
Wrapping up
By the end of our session, you're going to walk way feeling like you just had a fun date. If you don't feel that way.. well, you will. I promise!
Before we say our farewells, I’ll give you a quick spiel about receiving your photos and next steps afterward.
My Job vs. Your Job
Here's how I like to think about our roles while we're together:
MY ROLE
I’m here to guide you every step of the way, and that starts well before we even meet. I’ll help you choose a location (if you don’t already have one in mind), figure out the best timing for beautiful light, and share simple outfit tips so everything feels cohesive and comfortable.
During the session, my focus is on helping you feel at ease. I don’t lean heavily into stiff or overly posed photos. Instead, I’ll gently prompt you with small movements and interactions that feel natural — walking together, sharing something that makes you laugh, pausing in a quiet moment. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s connection.
I’ll offer direction when needed, but nothing will feel forced or awkward. The photos will reflect how the moment actually felt.
Most importantly, I’ll be focused on taking beautiful photos. That means I’ll already have a plan for locations, angles, and how to make the most of the space we’re in — so you don’t have to think about any of that.
Your Role
While I’m covering most of the hard parts, you do have an important role in how the photos turn out — and it’s a simple one: just be present.
As I’ve mentioned (and will probably mention again), I love movement and motion in my photos. I’m drawn to natural storytelling. You don’t smile for an hour and a half straight in real life, and I don’t expect you to here either - but during our session, I'll encourage you to embrace that joy that you feel with your person.
My one ask of you is to be present with each other. This means: be overly affectionate, fix each other's hair, do an impromptu kiss on the cheek. Think of this as a cinematic story that I'm capturing for you, and not just photos.
Some Simple Tips
- Wear something you're comfortable in. Rather than slipping on the dress you bought three years ago, but never had the right location to wear it to, throw on the comfortable (and cute) outfit that's your go-to pick for date nights. Comfort really is key to these shoots, so why not go wearing an outfit you feel the most confident in?
- Focus on Your Partner. I know you don't want to be staring down my lens, and honestly, I don't want you to either! The more focused you are on your partner, the more our session will reflect what your relationship is like.
- Move more than you think you should. Told you I'd say it again! Yep, I want you to be moving constantly. Even during posed photos. The more you move together, the more emotion we can get from the photos.
Remember Why You're Here
When we’re thinking about photos, it’s really easy to focus inward and think about yourself. But it’s so important to remember that this isn’t just about you — it’s a moment to celebrate your entire relationship.
While you might not feel super comfy in front of the camera, I bet you do feel comfortable with your partner. That’s what I want you to lean into. Focus on them. The way they make you laugh, the way you naturally stand close, the small habits you don’t even think twice about anymore.
You don’t need to perform or pose perfectly. You just need to show up together. When you’re connected to your partner, the nerves tend to fade into the background - and that’s when the most genuine, meaningful photos happen.
At the end of the day, these photos aren’t about looking a certain way. They’re about remembering how this season of your relationship felt.
A Comfortable Session
As you know by now, my sessions are built around keeping you comfortable and present. If we’re already planning your session together, I can’t wait to capture this moment for you.
If we haven’t connected yet and you’d like to learn more about what working together looks like, you can explore my session options here.
