If you want to feel confident on camera during a professional photo shoot but tense up the second someone points one at you, I’m so glad you’re here. As a Boston photographer with more than ten years of experience, I’ve worked with plenty of couples and families who swear they’re going to be the most awkward people I’ve ever photographed. So far, nobody has earned the title.

I hear it before sessions all the time. Maybe you’re worried about where to put your hands, or you think you only have one good angle. The good news? You don’t need to know your good angles or memorize poses. That’s my job. I’ll tell you what to do, give you something to focus on when you start getting in your head, and keep things moving so you’re never standing there wondering where on earth your hands are supposed to go.

Here’s the biggest thing I want you to know before we get into any of these tips: being “good at photos” isn’t your responsibility. You don’t need to show up knowing how to pose or figuring out whether you’re standing in the best light. I’m paying attention to all of those little things from my side of the camera so you can just be fully present and enjoy yourself.

Of course, I know that saying “don’t worry, I’ve got you” doesn’t magically make every nerve disappear. Some preparation can help, though, so let’s talk about a few things you can do beforehand to feel confident on camera.

What if I’m Just Not Photogenic?

If you’ve decided you’re not photogenic based on a handful of iPhone photos, I promise you that you will feel much differently after our photoshoot!

When I’m photographing you, I’m paying attention to the light, how you’re standing, and everything in between. I can move you somewhere that photographs better, give you direction when you need it, and wait for the moment when you’ve stopped wondering what your face is doing.

I’m also not trying to turn you into some completely different version of yourself just because you’re in front of my camera. I want you to look at your photos and recognize yourself. Think of it as you on a really good day, with great light and someone else taking responsibility for everything happening on the other side of the camera.

So if you’ve spent years telling yourself you’re bad at photos, maybe your camera roll doesn’t get the final vote. Once you stop feeling responsible for finding the perfect angle or knowing exactly what to do, being photographed gets a whole lot easier.

How to Prepare for a Photo Shoot so You Feel Confident on Camera

Okay, now let’s get into what you can do before your session to feel prepped and ready. A little preparation ahead of time goes a long way here, especially when you’re already worried about being photographed.

Choose the Right Photographer

If being photographed already makes you anxious, liking the person on the other side of the camera matters a lot. You’re going to have a much harder time relaxing if you don’t trust the photographer you hired.

Before your session, tell me anything that worries you. Maybe you hate being photographed from one side, your kid takes a while to warm up to new people, you’re worried about looking natural, or you feel like your dog isn’t well-behaved. I want to know! The more I understand, the easier it is for me to make the session feel comfortable.

Take a good look at their portfolio too, but don’t just pay attention to the outfits or pretty locations. Look at the people: do they seem comfortable with each other? Do the photos feel natural, and do they look like they’re having fun? Can you picture yourself having that kind of experience? If the answer is yes, then you chose the right photographer!

Choose a Location That Fits Your Personality

The location we choose for your photos is about so much more than a pretty background. If you’re already a little nervous about being photographed, choosing somewhere that naturally helps you relax can make it much easier to feel confident on camera.

If the idea of strangers walking by while we’re shooting makes you want to disappear into the nearest bush, tell me! I’d love to know ahead of time so we can find the perfect spot for you. Arnold Arboretum is a personal favorite for clients who want more privacy, along with the quieter, tucked-away corners of Beacon Hill. An indoor studio can also be a great option if you want complete privacy.

On the other hand, if you feel more comfortable in more crowded spaces, we can lean more into the energy of the city. The Boston Public Garden and The Esplanade are two of my favorites city locations.

If downtown Boston and its crowds sound like the exact opposite of relaxing, we can head west of the city too. I photograph plenty of sessions outside Boston, and sometimes a quieter park or neighborhood is exactly what you need to forget there’s a camera around.

You don’t need to know where you want to go, either. I help all of my clients choose locations based on what they’re looking for and how they want their photos to feel. We’ll find somewhere you love and that makes sense for you.

Wear Something You Love and Feel Comfortable In

It’s so much easier to feel confident on camera when you’re wearing something you already know you feel good in. Your photo shoot is probably not the best time to test-drive a dress you’ve only worn for five minutes or discover that your new shoes were designed by someone who hates feet.

Before your session, put the whole outfit on and wear it around for a few minutes. Sit down in it and walk around. Make sure you’re not constantly pulling at a strap or wondering whether something looks weird from a certain angle. If half your attention is going toward adjusting your clothes, it’s a lot harder to relax.

I’ll also help you think about what makes sense for the location and the season your session is in!

Most importantly, please don’t pick an outfit because you think it’s what you’re supposed to wear for photos. If you put it on and immediately feel like yourself, that’s the one! And if you’re stuck between options, send them to me. I’m always happy to help you decide before your session.

What if I’m Self-Conscious About How I Look in Photos?

If there’s something you’re already worrying about before your photo shoot, please tell me. You’re not going to offend me or make things weird by saying you feel self-conscious about a certain angle or part of your body. I’d much rather know what’s been taking up space in your head than have you spend the whole session wondering whether I’m noticing it too.

You also don’t need to keep checking yourself from my side of the camera. If something needs adjusting, I’ll take care of it. Your job is to be with the people you love and let yourself settle into what we’re doing. 

Focus on Being with Each Other

One of the easiest ways to feel confident on camera is to stop thinking about the camera so much. Talk to your partner or get down and play with your kids. If your dog suddenly decides something across the park deserves their full attention, let them investigate. We don’t need to interrupt everything just to get everyone looking at the camera.

You also don’t need to spend the whole session reminding everyone else to smile. I’ll get those looking-at-me photos when we need them. The rest of the time, let your kids be a little silly or let your partner do whatever they normally do that makes you laugh. If things go slightly off-script, we can work with that.

I’ll still give you direction throughout the session, but I’m never expecting everyone to hold a perfect pose and stare at me. I’d much rather keep you interacting with each other, so you have something to think about besides whether you’re smiling correctly. The more you focus on the people you’re with, the more enjoyable your session will be!

What I Do During a Photo Shoot to Help You Feel Confident on Camera

If you don’t feel confident or are nervous when your photo shoot starts, that’s okay. I’m not going to put you in a pose and leave you there wondering whether you’re doing it right. I’ll ease you into things, give you direction when you need it, and keep paying attention to how comfortable you’re feeling as we go.

I’m watching what’s happening from my side of the camera while you’re focused on your people. I’ll notice if something looks a little stiff and make an adjustment before you have time to start overthinking it. I’m also watching for those little shifts when your kids start warming up, or you stop paying quite so much attention to the camera.

Before photography became my full-time job, I was a special education teacher, so reading the room and changing course when Plan A clearly isn’t working are skills I’ve been using for a long time. Sometimes someone just needs a minute before they’re ready, and I’m completely fine giving them one.

After more than ten years of photographing people, I know when to step in and when to let a good moment keep going. You can stay focused on your people. I’ll take care of how it photographs.

Nervous About Your Boston Photo Shoot? Here’s What You Should Know

When Should I Book My Photo Shoot?

If you already know you want photos during a specific season, I’d reach out sooner rather than later. Fall and Spring get especially busy in Boston, so having flexibility with your date gives us more options for locations and timing. That said, please don’t assume you’re too late just because you didn’t plan six months ahead. Reach out, and I’ll let you know what I have open.

Do I Need to Know How to Pose and What Do I Do with My Hands?

Absolutely not. I don’t expect you to walk into your session knowing what to do. I’ll guide you throughout the whole thing and adjust as we go. You can leave the posing decisions with me and focus on the people you came with.

How Long Does a Photo Shoot Last?

Most of my photo shoots last around an hour, although timing can vary depending on the session. I’ll always let you know exactly what to expect beforehand.

I’m also not watching the clock, waiting for everyone to behave perfectly. If your toddler needs a minute to warm up or your dog decides the same patch of grass needs a very thorough investigation, we can work with it. I’d much rather give everyone a second to reset than rush through your session.

Should I Bring Anything to My Photo Shoot to Help Me Feel Confident?

You definitely don’t need to pack half your house. Bring anything that’ll help you or the people you’re with stay comfortable, but otherwise, keep it simple. If your kids are coming, a favorite snack can be a lifesaver. If your dog is joining us, bring the really good treats. Trust me, this is not the day to show up with the boring ones they ignore at home.

If we’ll be walking around Boston and your photo shoes weren’t exactly made for cobblestones, toss a comfortable pair in your bag to wear between spots. Beyond that, I’ll let you know before your session if there’s anything specific I want you to bring. This way you don’t have to spend the night before wondering whether you forgot something important.

What if I Feel Awkward at First?

That is completely normal! It may take you a few minutes to get used to a camera being pointed at you. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and plenty of people who end up looking totally comfortable in their photos started the session by telling me how awkward they felt.

I’ll ease you into things and give you plenty of direction at the beginning, so you’re never standing there wondering what you’re supposed to do. Once we get moving, talking, and focusing more on the people you’re with, the camera usually starts feeling like a much smaller part of the whole thing. You don’t need to show up feeling confident already. We’ll get there together.

What If My Kids or Dog Don’t Cooperate?

Please don’t spend your session stressing because your child isn’t smiling on command or your dog suddenly has a personal vendetta against sitting still. I’m not expecting either of them to behave like tiny professional models.

We’ll take breaks when we need them and work with whatever mood they bring that day. Your job isn’t to keep everyone perfectly under control. Let me worry about getting the photos.

If you want some extra help before your session, read my guide to how to prep for a dog photo shoot and how to prep for a family photo shoot that might make things feel easier going in.

A Guide to Feel Confident on Camera From a Boston Portrait Photographer

If you’re still nervous about being photographed, I’m not going to tell you that reading one blog post should magically make that disappear. You might still feel butterflies when the camera first comes out, and that’s completely fine. You don’t have to become someone who loves being photographed to end up loving your photos.

After more than ten years of photographing couples and families, I’ve worked with plenty of people who showed up convinced they were going to feel awkward the entire time. Usually, it only takes a bit of direction and a few minutes to settle in before they stop thinking so much about the camera and start enjoying themselves.

If you’re ready for photos that feel like you without having to figure out the whole being-in-front-of-a-camera thing on your own, I’d love to photograph you. Reach out through my contact form, and let’s talk about how we can make you feel confident on camera and get you photos you truly love.