Before every session, I always take a few minutes to chat with my clients. Why? Because I know exactly what those first 10–15 minutes feel like—the ones that can feel awkward, uncomfortable, and just plain weird. You might be thinking, “Once she tells me what to do, I’ll look stiff and unnatural,” and honestly… you’re right. That’s exactly what would happen if we approached it like traditional “posing.

But here’s the thing: for family and engagement sessions, I don’t rely on stiff poses. I don’t ask you to twist your body at an exact angle or to smile a certain way on command. Instead, I give simple directions that guide you to interact naturally. I focus on the elements that really make a photo beautiful—composition, light, background, variety of shots—and leave the rest to what makes you you.

You won’t hear me say things like “turn your head 20 degrees to the right” (unless we’re doing headshots, of course! 😉). Instead, you might hear me suggest small, simple prompts like: “Walk toward me while holding hands,” or “Whisper something silly to them.” Those tiny moments create the genuine smiles and glances that make your photos timeless.

Of course, there are exceptions—like headshots, where small adjustments make a big difference—but in family and engagement photography, my philosophy is simple: real connections create timeless images.

So if you’re worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera, don’t be. Those first few minutes might feel strange, but it’s all part of the process. I’ll take care of the technical stuff—lighting, composition, background—while you focus on being yourselves. And when you see your images later, you’ll see something far more valuable than “perfect poses”: memories that truly feel like you.