Pose like a pro

Feeling comfortable makes a huge difference in the final images. Many people feel nervous in front of a camera, which can create stiff or unnatural poses. However, it's important to relax and enjoy the experience to capture authentic and emotive photographs. When you feel at ease, those genuine moments will shine, resulting in beautiful memories.

That’s why you have me.

Having a positive and memorable photoshoot isn’t just about feeling your best; it's also about showcasing your personality. Embracing the process allows your true self to emerge, leading to charming and authentic portraits you'll cherish forever. To help you feel more at ease and capture your best self, here are some practical tips to guide you.

Choose the Right Outfit
(Don’t worry, I can style you!)

1. Comfort is key: Select clothing that feels good to wear and boosts your confidence. This is about you, what do YOU feel best in. I promise if you pick your favourite dress, you’ll know when you see the photos.

2. Consider colours and patterns: Opt for colours that complement your skin tone and work well with the setting of your photoshoot. Solid colours can be flattering, while unique patterns could add an interesting touch if chosen carefully. Avoid overly busy patterns that might distract from your face.

3. Reflect your personality: Choose pieces that reflect who you are. If you love wearing bright, bold colours, let that shine through. If your style is more understated, go with classic pieces. The goal is to stay true to yourself while highlighting your best features.

Communicate with Your Photographer

Discussing your vision and preferences with your photographer sets the stage for a successful photoshoot. Clear communication helps ease any nerves you might have and ensures that your personal style and ideas are reflected in the photos. Share your thoughts on what you enjoy and what makes you uncomfortable, so your photographer can tailor the session to your comfort level.

Building a rapport with your photographer can make you feel more at ease. Take some time to get to know them, whether through email, a phone call, or a quick chat before the session begins. A relaxed relationship with them will make the whole experience more enjoyable, and you'll be more likely to get the kind of photos you're hoping for. A good photographer will guide you through the process, making it fun and stress-free.

Practice Posing and Expressions

Looking good in your photos doesn’t mean striking stiff magazine-style poses. It’s more about finding ways to move and position your body that feel relaxed and true to you. That starts with understanding your angles and the kinds of movements that feel natural. You don’t need experience modelling to look great—just a bit of awareness and a relaxed attitude.

One way to prepare is to practise in front of a mirror. It might feel silly at first, but it helps you learn which expressions you like and what your face does when you're relaxed. You can notice things like how your smile changes or how your eyes look when you’re genuinely happy, which helps when you're being photographed.

For your body posture, try soft movements between shots instead of standing frozen. Little shifts like changing the direction of your gaze, moving your hands, or shifting your weight from one leg to the other help keep your body language fluid. Instead of thinking too much about where to place your hands, try touching your clothing, adjusting your sleeve, or lightly putting one hand in a pocket. These small touches can make a big difference when aiming for a candid, unforced look.

A good photographer will give you gentle directions, but knowing how to stay loose and open will help you feel more confident. One past client mentioned they always felt awkward in photos until their photographer asked them to pretend they were simply chatting with a friend. That small shift in mindset helped them relax, and their expressions went from tense to totally comfortable. That’s the type of energy to bring into your session.

Relax and Enjoy the Moment

This part might take a bit of practice, but learning how to actually enjoy your photoshoot makes everything easier. When you’re focused on the process rather than trying to control the result, it’s easier to stay calm—and it shows. You're more likely to smile for real, your posture loosens up, and you stop overthinking.

If you feel the nerves coming on, try taking a few deep breaths before the shoot starts. Deep breathing helps lower tension and gets you centred. Some people even find visualisation helpful: before your shoot, imagine what it’ll feel like to have fun during the session instead of worrying about how you look. That simple flip in thinking can change your entire mood on the day.

Here are a few reminders to keep the experience enjoyable:

- Don’t rush to get every pose perfect. Let things unfold naturally.

- Trust the photographer to guide you if something needs adjusting.

- Take breaks if needed—grab a drink of water, chat for a minute, reset.

- Laugh at yourself. A little humour keeps the energy easy and fun.

- Connect with your purpose—maybe you're doing this shoot to celebrate a new chapter or document a personal goal.

When you stop trying to perfect every second, that’s when the real magic happens (this goes for your photographer as well, once everyone settles in the magic really comes through) Even if some photos show a hair out of place or a slightly messy collar, those small things reflect the real you—honest, beautiful, and fully present in the moment.

Make Memories Last

It’s easy to treat a portrait photoshoot as just another appointment, but there's more to it when you shift your mindset. Rather than seeing it as a pressure-filled task, try approaching it as a chance to make meaningful memories. Whether you're celebrating something personal or simply stepping in front of the lens to finally treat yourself, this is an opportunity to document a version of you worth remembering.

When you're present and fully involved in the experience, your energy changes. Your expressions become real, your body softens, and your eyes tell a story. That feeling gets captured in the images and lives on long after the shoot ends. It’s about catching what's between the perfect angles—the spark of joy when you let out a real laugh, or the quiet confidence that shows in a still moment.

It also helps to focus on the longer view. These images could become something your kids or loved ones treasure one day. They might go into a personal project or simply stay on your wall for years as a reminder of who you were at this moment. What you put into the experience is what shapes how you’ll remember it.

Let Your Real Self Shine Through

Looking great in a portrait photography session is less about chasing perfection and more about showing up as yourself. When you let go of expectations and focus on being comfortable, the photos will automatically feel more honest and more you. From choosing clothes that feel good to having real conversations with your photographer, each step plays a part in helping you feel relaxed.

By paying attention to how you pose, staying present in the moment, and treating the photoshoot as a meaningful experience, you not only get better photographs, you get memories tied to those images. It’s a chance to tell your story visually, no filters or forced smiles needed. That’s something truly worth holding onto.

When you're ready to work with a photographer who knows how to guide you gently, keep things relaxed, and capture timeless images that reflect who you really are, explore the work DVNSRM offers as a thoughtful and expressive portrait photographer.