Hide your insecurities
What you call a flaw is usually a lighting, lens, or pose choice we have not made yet. Tell me the worry and the win. I’ll pick lens length, camera height, and light to support you.
Say this instead: “I’m unsure about my jawline, I love my eyes.” Then I short-light the face, lift the camera, and let your eyes lead.
Say “it’s fine” when it isn’t
Polite silence costs more time than any outfit change, honesty is the fastest edit. We’ll work in small loops, ten frames then a quick peek, one smart change, then back in. Maybe hair moves to the open side, the key light softens half a stop, the camera drops 2 cm, or the backdrop swaps to a calmer tone.
Say this instead: “Keep the light, change the pose, ” or “This angle isn’t me, ” and watch how quickly the image clicks.
Say “As long as you like the photos, it’s OK”
These pictures live on your walls and your feed, my craft builds them, your taste decides them. We will do live selects as we go, star a handful, refine the direction, and repeat until the set feels like you.
Say this instead: “Moody and minimal, ” or “Bright, clean, playful, ” and I will match light, palette, and pacing to that brief.
Assume I will judge you
Fear flattens expression, the minute you brace for judgment, the pictures get quiet in the wrong way. My studio is body-neutral and consent-led. We confirm your boundaries first, then we build. Tell me about touch cues, music volume, angles you avoid, and breaks you like to take, I will adapt cadence and direction to your nervous system.
Say this instead: “Cue my hands, keep music low, no deep back-arch, ” and feel your face relax because the room is working for you.
Worry about standing or smiling “wrong”
There is no wrong, only uncoached. Posing is a skill, not a personality trait. I demonstrate, you mirror, we refine with tiny notes that change everything, weight on the back foot for length, ribs soft for ease, chin gently forward for the jawline, eyes drifting toward the light so they read clear. For smiles, forget “cheese, ” think warm coffee and an exhale, that micro-softness photographs like truth.
Say this instead: “Show me the move, I’ll copy, ” and we’ll get there together.
Stay quiet about boundaries or breaks
Powering through gives you galleries you never open, resets are productive, not indulgent. A sip of water, an outfit swap, one song change, or a two-minute walk resets the face and posture better than ten extra frames.
Say this instead: “Give me a minute, then let’s go again.”
Overfixate on trends instead of you
Yes, 2025 loves soft flash and editorial skin, yes, we all pinned that one campaign. But trend without you feels borrowed. Use what is current as seasoning, not the main dish, your features and story lead, the look supports.
Say this instead: “Keep it modern, still me, ” and I will pull in the references lightly so the picture feels present and personal.
Shoot-day checklist
Eat something light, bring water.
Three looks: one simple, one you, one playful.
Clean grooming, lip balm, hairbrush, plain tie or clips.
References saved on your phone.
Arrive a little early, we warm up, we flow.