Your Guide To Feeling Confident In Front Of The Camera

This blog post is for the clients that may feel a little apprehensive going into their session. Whether you don’t have any experience being in front of the camera, or you’re just camera shy, this guide is here to help!

I promise I’ll be there every step of the way, leading the session and making sure you’re feeling comfy.

At the end of your session you’ll be saying- “oh that wasn’t as bad as I thought!”

READ ON FOR MY TOP TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND IF YOU’RE NERVOUS TO BE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA:

TIP ONE: TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

It’s my job as your photographer to lead your session and get you feeling comfy.

When you book your session, you are sent a questionnaire which helps me get to know you and your family better. This is so I can tailor your session to your needs.

I believe as parents we have enough on our plate for family photos to be hard too!

I want your experience to be a reprieve from the everyday- a chance to slow down and be present with your kids, while also preserving these memories you’ll long to relive. (Who doesn’t love ticking two things off at once?)

TIP TWO: WEAR SOMETHING COMFORTABLE

If you’re wearing something that you’re not comfortable in, this will reflect in the photos!

The goal is to choose something that you can move around in, and also FEEL GOOD in!

If you’d like some more tips on what to wear to your session, you can find that blog here:

https://hayleysamanthaphoto.com/2025/08/11/what-do-i-wear-for-family-photos/

TIP THREE: GO WITH THE FLOW

For all family sessions, we get the most genuine smiles and reactions when we let go of perfection and embrace whatever happens in your session.

For babies, sleeping, feeding, getting settled is all part of the process- don’t stress about everything going perfectly. These everyday moments I find tell the most beautiful story.

For kids, running, playing, chatting, is what I want to see! Get involved with playing with your kids and join their little world.

You’ll find when expectations are let go, everyone has a better time.

TIP FOUR: MOVEMENT

It may feel funny at first, but movement brings your images to life and tells a story as it naturally unfolds. Movement creates distraction, relaxes your body and gives your photos a natural look and feel.

As your photographer, I will always prompt you not pose you. ‘Posing’ is static, ‘prompting’ is movement.

For example- Swishing your skirt or dress, cuddling your child, throwing them in the air, etc

TIP FIVE: AVOID LOOKING AT THE CAMERA

Photos look way more natural and relaxed when you pretend there’s no camera at all!

I really encourage you to ‘pretend’ I’m not pointing a camera at you- love on your kids, play games with them, kiss your partner like no one’s watching,  and lean into the chaos. I promise it creates such BEAUTIFUL moments!

My sessions are centred around doing things you love as a family, which creates real connection, not forced posing.

TRUST THE PROCESS

and have fun!

Life passes by whether we want it to or not. The process of getting photos done can feel daunting (trust me I understand!), but ultimately, the idea of not having this precious time preserved for of your family is way more daunting!

These memories are so worth preserving. They might feel mundane, or not worth capturing now- but trust me, in 10, 15 years, these are the days you’ll be reminiscing on and wishing you could relive!

I’m here to make it a fun and stress-free experience.