How to Feel Comfortable in Front of the Camera for Your Nebraska Senior Pictures
One of the things I hear from seniors more than almost anything else is:
“I'm awkward in photos.”
Usually followed closely by:
“I don't know how to pose.”
“I don't know what to do with my hands.”
Or my personal favorite:
“I'm just not photogenic.”
And here's the first thing I want every senior to know.
You don't need to know how to pose.
That's my job.
Your senior session isn't about showing up already knowing what to do in front of a camera. It's about giving yourself enough time and space to get comfortable so we can create photos that actually feel like you.
So if the idea of having a camera pointed at you makes you a little nervous, you're exactly who this guide is for.
Give Yourself Time to Warm Up
The first five or ten minutes of your senior session might feel a little awkward.
That's completely normal.
Even if we've already met over Zoom during your consultation, we may be meeting in person for the first time — and now I'm pointing a camera at you.
Senior pictures can also feel very different from family pictures because this time there's nobody else in the photo with you.
It's all about you.
That's why I don't expect you to step out of the car and immediately know exactly what you're doing.
We're going to talk. We're going to move around. I'm going to figure out what makes you laugh and what feels natural for you.
This is also why I usually recommend not wearing your absolute favorite outfit first.
Save that one for your second or third look.
By then you've had time to settle in, we've gotten comfortable working together, and you're thinking a whole lot less about the camera.
You Don't Have to Know How to Pose
Where do I put my hands?
Where should I look?
What do I do with my feet?
You don't need to know the answers to any of those questions.
I'll tell you.
My job isn't to put you somewhere and say, “Okay, do something cute!”
I'm going to direct you.
I'll tell you where to stand, what to do with your hands, where to look and when I want you to move.
If you have a pose you've seen on Pinterest or Instagram that you love, absolutely show me. We can use it as inspiration.
But you don't need to arrive with a list of poses you've practiced in the mirror.
You just need to show up.
Your job is just to show up. My job is to see you.
Movement Is Your Friend
Standing perfectly still and smiling at a camera can feel uncomfortable for almost anyone.
So we're not going to spend your entire senior session doing that.
I might ask you to walk toward me, walk away, play with your jacket, fix your hair, sit, lean, turn around or look away and then come back to me.
And sometimes I might ask you to do something that feels a little ridiculous.
Trust the process.
Sometimes I'm not photographing the weird thing I'm asking you to do.
I'm photographing what happens right after.
The laugh.
The eye roll.
That moment when you forget about the camera.
Those in-between moments are often where some of my favorite photos happen.
Bring Things That Feel Like You
You don't have to fill your senior session with props, but bringing something that's part of your life can actually help you feel more comfortable.
Maybe that's:
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Your guitar
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Your books
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Your Jeep
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Your dog
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Your camera
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Your skateboard
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Something connected to a sport or activity
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Even your favorite snack or drink
These things give us something to interact with, but they also give us something to talk about.
Instead of thinking about the camera, you're talking about something you love.
And that's when your personality starts to come through.
Bring the Right Person With You
For a lot of my seniors, Mom becomes the official session hype woman.
She can carry things, keep an eye on your hair, remember which shoes go with which outfit and help make you laugh.
But whoever you bring, think about one thing:
Does this person make you feel more confident?
A friend, boyfriend or girlfriend can absolutely come along if they're someone who makes you feel comfortable.
You don't want someone there who makes you suddenly wonder what they're thinking every time you pose.
Bring the person who makes it easier for you to be yourself.
You Don't Have to Smile in Every Photo
We're definitely going to get the classic smiling photo Grandma wants.
But your entire gallery doesn't need to be 75 versions of you smiling directly at the camera.
We'll try different expressions.
Serious. Soft. Confident. Laughing. Maybe something a little editorial or dramatic.
And if you tell me you're terrible at serious faces?
We'll probably try one anyway.
If attempting your serious face immediately makes you laugh, I'll photograph that too.
Don't Try to Recreate Someone Else's Senior Session
Pinterest and Instagram are great for inspiration.
But inspiration isn't the same thing as duplication.
Maybe you see a pose you love and when we try it, it just doesn't feel like you.
That's okay.
We're not failing.
We're figuring out what does feel like you.
Every senior moves differently. Everyone has different expressions, interests, personalities and styles.
That's what makes your senior session yours.
Tell Me What You're Nervous About
If there's something you're nervous or self-conscious about, please tell me.
If you have a side you prefer, tell me.
If you hate having your picture taken, tell me.
If you've never had professional photos taken before and you're nervous about the entire thing, tell me that too.
You're not being difficult.
You're giving me information that helps me photograph you better.
That's one of the reasons I send my seniors a questionnaire and have a consultation before their session.
Sometimes I learn something I never would have guessed.
I recently had a senior who wanted all of her pictures in city locations.
Was she obsessed with brick walls and urban architecture?
Not exactly.
She hates bugs.
She didn't want to spend her senior session worrying about bugs in a field or wooded area.
That's something I want to know!
The more I know about what makes you comfortable — and what doesn't — the better we can plan a session that actually fits you.
Parents: Be the Hype Person
Parents, you're an important part of this too.
Your senior might already be hyper-aware of how they look, especially at the beginning of the session.
Help with clothes. Carry things. Watch for a stray hair. Make them laugh.
But be careful with comments like:
“Stand up straight.”
“Smile better.”
“Your hair looks weird.”
Even when you mean well, those comments can make someone who's already nervous become even more self-conscious.
Let your photographer handle the directing and give your senior a little room to settle into the experience.
One of my favorite things is watching a senior who starts the session unsure of everything eventually start suggesting ideas to me.
That's when I know we've got them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I've never had professional pictures taken before?
That's completely okay. Most seniors aren't professional models and I don't expect you to be. I'll guide you throughout your session so you always know what we're doing.
Do I need to practice posing before my senior pictures?
Nope! If you find an idea you love, save it and show me. Otherwise, leave the posing and directing to me.
Can I bring someone with me?
Absolutely. I encourage you to bring someone who makes you feel comfortable and confident. For many of my seniors, that's Mom — but it can also be another person who's a positive presence for you.
What if I don't like my smile?
You don't have to smile in every photo. We'll create a variety of expressions and looks throughout your session. And sometimes the best smiles happen when you're not trying to smile at all.
What if there's something I'm self-conscious about?
Tell me. You aren't being difficult or picky. The more I know about what makes you comfortable, the better I can photograph you.
Your Senior Pictures Should Feel Like You
Choosing the right location matters.
Choosing what to wear matters.
But when you finally step in front of the camera, you don't have to turn into somebody else.
You don't need to know how to pose.
You don't need to be “photogenic.”
And you don't need to recreate the senior pictures you saw on Pinterest.
You need a photographer who knows how to guide you, an experience that gives you room to relax and permission to show up as yourself.
Your job is just to show up. My job is to see you.
And that's exactly what we'll do together.
Nervous about being in front of the camera? That's okay! We'll talk before your session about what makes you comfortable, what you're nervous about and what you want your senior pictures to feel like. You don't have to have any of it figured out before you reach out. That's what I'm here for.
Continue the Senior Session Playbook
This is Part 3 of my Senior Session Playbook, a three-part blog and podcast series created to help seniors (and their parents!) feel prepared, confident and excited about senior pictures.
Whether you'd rather read the guide or listen to the conversation, I've got you covered.
Part 1: Choosing the Perfect Location for Your Senior Pictures
Not sure where to take your senior pictures? We'll talk about choosing locations that fit your personality, interests and the overall feel you want for your session.
📖 Read the Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Location for Your Nebraska Senior Pictures
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast: How to Choose the Perfect Location for Your Senior Photos
Part 2: What to Wear for Your Senior Pictures
Wondering what outfits photograph best? This guide covers choosing outfits that give you variety, photograph well and — most importantly — still feel like you.
📖 Read the Guide: What to Wear for Your Nebraska Senior Pictures
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast: What to Wear for Your Senior Photos
Part 3: Feeling Comfortable in Front of the Camera
Think you're awkward in photos? You're not alone. This part of the playbook is all about what happens once you get in front of the camera — posing, movement, confidence and how your photographer helps you relax.
📖 Read the Guide: You are already here!
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast: Bonus: The One Where They Said, “I'm Awkward in Photos”
Ready to Get Your Senior Session on the Calendar?
Senior session dates can fill quickly, especially during popular summer and fall months. Reach out and let's start planning a session that feels like you.
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