Helping Beginners Feel Natural During Their First Portrait Session

Prior to me even raising my camera, I will do my very best to create a comfortable atmosphere. I will always start with a very casual subject matter; for example, I will ask them questions about the types of portraits that they are drawn to, what inspired them to do the session, etc. Having this opportunity allows them to express themselves without any pressure, making for a relaxed environment that will give me some insight into their character and personality.

Sometimes I share anecdotes from previous shoots not to impress clients but to create an atmosphere of acceptance where nervousness is viewed as the norm. Most clients will shift to a state of relaxed comfort when they realize they aren’t being judged, but rather are collaborating with a photographer who truly wants them to look and feel their best.

After a session begins, I carefully observe how each client warms up, as some do so quickly while others require more time at a slower pace to become fully warmed up. I will always strive not to pressure a client too much, especially during the beginner’s stage. Rather than asking for rigid and defined poses, I provide easygoing and less demanding cues. I ask my clients to imagine they’re speaking with someone they’re comfortable around or thinking about a time in their lives when they feel proud. By creating these small ways of grounding themselves in an emotional state, I help clients find ease in their appearance, as well as their gestures and expressions. In my experience, when clients connect with an emotion, their posture and body movement will follow.

In addition to emotional grounding, I also use music as a tool to help create a relaxing environment. I typically play a soft, rhythmic sound to support the mood I am trying to create. As the environment feels less like a photoshoot and more like home, the client’s body stiffens and the nervous feelings they may have been feeling will begin to disappear.

Occasionally, I find that when I take photographs of people, they are often resisting the actions that will help them become more confident. So, what I have found works well for my clients is to offer previews of the photographs. When they see images of themselves that show them at their best, relaxed, and happy, they typically feel much better about themselves. Nothing else compared to this level of confidence.

Every moment of the photo shoot, I am paying attention to every little detail: small movements in their bodies, how they breathe, the movements they make with their fingers. When I notice them fidgeting or shifting around, that is the clue that they are probably getting either very frustrated or gaining some comfort in being photographed. If, on the other hand, they're feeling overwhelmed with fright, I will encourage them to take a moment to hydrate or take a few deep breaths. Finding ways to increase their confidence is a vital part of having a successful time together during a portrait session should never feel like a rushed experience. Creating a piece of art together that can last for decades should be an enjoyable and meaningful process.

To enhance the confidence and reduce nervousness of the photographer, props are another good option. For my clients, I often suggest they use a jacket to hold onto, sunglasses to look through, or an item they can play with or hold like a coffee cup.

As a beginner photographer, it is common for a client's nerves to take over their body language. However, by having an activity with their hands (such as being posed) their nerves will start to calm down. They'll start looking more relaxed and their facial expressions will soften. Rather than standing still as if they were in front of a spotlight, they feel as though they have a purpose.

Over the years, I have come to understand that new clients do not need to become a "model"; rather, they need to have an opportunity to be themselves so that their portraits accurately represent who they really are, and not some forced image that they've created. Also, when a photographer and subject connect honestly to one another, the camera is no longer a distraction, but instead a reflective surface, allowing for the expression of genuine self confidence as opposed to a pose.

As a portrait photographer, I’ve learned that beginners relax most when the session feels more like a conversation than a performance, allowing their natural expressions to surface without pressure. I guide them with simple movements and gentle prompts, helping them forget the camera and settle into a comfortable rhythm. Tools like Visboom , with its pose swapping and model try on features, sometimes help me pre visualize poses that feel approachable for nervous beginners. I also use pose changer to explore options that look natural and effortless, giving me a clearer idea of what will put a first time model at ease. By combining calm direction with supportive tools like Visboom, I can create portrait sessions that feel friendly, confidence building, and beautifully authentic.

At the conclusion of a session, it is not uncommon for the same person who entered the studio shy and nervous to exit the studio feeling proud of themselves. When they smile genuinely, their shoulders relax and they'll ask to see some of the photographs again for the first time. This is why I love working with novice photographers; like the transformations that occur during the process, it allows me to witness and guide someone who has an emotional response to the photographs, not just physically as a face.

If you're about to have your first portrait session, take it as a sign to dive in and enjoy the experience. You don't have to know how to pose or act; you just have to be yourself. And if you are a photographer working with beginners, remember that your calmness will create an atmosphere of confidence for your subject. Create the atmosphere, direct them with patience, and let trust guide the rest of the process. When you and your subject meet at this balance of trust between you, your images will be proof of everything I've said here.