Most people come into a session thinking the hardest part will be being photographed.
What they don’t realize is that the experience starts long before a camera ever comes out.
Before We Ever Meet
Before a portrait session, there’s a lot of work happening behind the scenes.
I don’t just show up and start shooting. I build concepts. I think about wardrobe, environment, mood, and energy. For most portrait projects, I create three distinct concepts based on what my client and I have collaborated on:
- the first is simple and grounded
- the second is slightly elevated
- the third takes our initial idea and scales it up in a bigger, more expressive way
And almost every time, I’m surprised by which one my client chooses. That’s part of what I love- seeing how differently people respond to possibility.
For weddings and portrait sessions alike, I also spend the days leading up to shoot day grounding myself. Yoga. Time in nature. Hydration. Quiet. I do this intentionally so I can stay fully present and creatively open when it matters most.
There’s also a lot of communication before we ever meet. I want my clients to feel prepared, supported, and at ease before they even step in front of my lens.
The First Ten Minutes
The first ten minutes of a session matter more than most people realize.
I greet my clients with excited, open energy. If it’s a couples session and one partner (often the guy) is feeling unsure about photos, I address it right away. I usually tell them, honestly, that I already know having photos taken isn’t their favorite thing- and that with my sessions, it’s almost always the guys who end up having the most fun and not wanting the session to end.
And it’s true. Every time.
I explain how I work: that I’ll always guide them, that they won’t be left wondering what to do, and that I often build poses from things I see them naturally doing with each other. Nothing forced. Nothing overly staged.
One of my favorite grounding tools is simple: I tell one partner that their only job is to touch their partner at all times. Hands, face, waist, shoulders- anywhere is fine. That physical connection immediately builds intimacy and comfort and gives them something to focus on besides “Do I look awkward?”
How I Direct (Without Overpowering)
I guide and direct a lot- but I also know when to step back.
I’ll physically demonstrate poses when it helps. I give constant encouragement. I guide movement rather than locking people into rigid positions. I shoot heavily in the in-between moments- walking to a new location, laughing between poses, interacting when they think I’m not shooting.
Those moments often hold the most truth.
I also build in space to pause. We walk. We talk. I ask about their lives, their interests, what lights them up. I want people to feel like they know me- because comfort comes from connection, not instruction.
When Things Feel Awkward (Because They Do)
Before we even begin, I give my clients a few anchors.
If someone doesn’t know what to do with their hands, pockets are always welcome. For women, I often suggest “soft hands”- like holding a lightweight purse. It’s a small cue that’s easy to return to if nerves creep in.
And if anyone feels self-conscious, I simply show them the back of my camera.
Nine times out of ten, that’s all it takes. Seeing how beautifully something is photographing- even when it feels awkward- immediately dissolves the worry. I can reassure them with honesty, not empty words.
My Philosophy, Simply Put
I don’t believe my job is to make you into something you’re not.
I believe my job is to notice how you naturally move through the world (and how you naturally love) and build from there.
The best photos happen when you’re connected and having fun. When you forget about the camera. When you trust that you’re being guided and held through the experience. This same approach carries into my wedding work.
What People Don’t Expect
My sessions typically run about two hours. I’ve found that to be the sweet spot, long enough to settle in, open up, and let things unfold naturally.
At first, that can sound like a lot.
And then, almost without fail, time flies by.
People always tell me how much fun they had. How quickly it went. How they’re almost sad it’s over. I often receive messages afterward (sometimes before I even make it home) saying that the experience itself was worth it, regardless of how the photos turn out.
(And of course, the photos are always killer.)
The Role I Play
I’m an observer first.
Then a guide.
Then a director- when it’s needed.
I translate emotion into imagery. Sometimes quiet. Sometimes loud. Always intentional. And above all, I protect the space so it never feels rushed or performative.
That’s how the art happens – through angles, light, editing, and instinct- layered on top of real connection.
Who Thrives Here
I work well with introverts and extroverts alike. I’m good at matching energy and creating space for people to show up as they are.
The only people who aren’t a good fit for my work are those who don’t want to touch, don’t want to play, and don’t want to be guided. If someone is looking for a “stand here and smile” experience, there are photographers who do that beautifully.
That’s just not how I work.
I thrive with people who know their love, who are open to creativity, and who trust the process.
A Moment I’ll Never Forget
I once photographed a couple on their family’s 200-year-old homestead. Beforehand, she told me how shy and introverted he was- how awkward he felt around cameras.
Halfway through the session, he started suggesting locations himself. Old pine logs stacked at the back of the property. His grandfather’s gun as a meaningful prop. He couldn’t wait to show me the beehives where they harvested their own honey.
By the end, he was talking my ear off.
She was stunned. Not because of the photos- but because she saw him open up in a way she hadn’t expected.
That’s the work.
In Safe Hands
If you take one thing away from this, let it be this:
You’re in safe hands.
This will be an experience that’s collaborative, connection-driven, and genuinely fun. One where you don’t have to perform- just show up.
And the images we create together will feel like you– because no one else can tell your story the same way.
If this resonates, here’s where to experience it: Explore my portrait work.
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