What to Expect During Your First Portrait Session with Me
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I know a lot of people come to me feeling nervous about what to expect. Maybe you’ve never had professional portraits taken before, and you’re wondering if you’ll feel awkward or out of place. Or maybe you’ve been photographed in the past in a way that left you feeling unseen, judged, or like you had to pretend to be someone you’re not.
If you’ve ever felt that way, you are not alone. I can’t tell you how many times someone has walked into my studio and said, almost in a whisper, “I’m nervous. I’ve never done this before. I have no idea what to expect.”
I completely get it. The unknown is always a little intimidating - especially when it involves being witnessed in such an up-close, vulnerable way. But I want you to feel grounded before you even arrive.
So let me walk you through exactly what happens, from our very first conversation to the moment you receive your images. My hope is that by the time you finish reading this, you’ll feel a little less anxious and maybe even a little excited about stepping in front of the camera.
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Long before you ever sit in front of my lens, we start with a conversation because I believe the process of photographing someone begins with listening. I’ll invite you to share what’s inspired you to want portraits now and what this season of your life feels like. I’ll want to know your story and where you’ve come from. We’ll talk about the energy you want your photos to hold and any fears or hesitations you might be carrying.
Together, we’ll explore ideas about wardrobe, styling, and location. I’ll share suggestions about what photographs beautifully and help you choose pieces that feel most like you. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and authentic. When you’re wearing something that feels true to you, it always shows in your energy.
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On the day of your session, there’s no rush to jump in or pretend you feel totally at ease. When you arrive at the studio, I’ll welcome you and give you a few moments to settle in. We’ll lay out the outfits you’ve brought, talk through any last-minute questions, and ease into the energy of the day together.
If you’ve chosen to have professional hair and makeup, or grooming for my male clients, that will be the first step. You’re welcome to arrive just as you are. Many people tell me that this part helps them start to relax and feel taken care of before we even pick up the camera.
Once we begin, there’s no expectation that you’ll know what to do. You don’t have to perform or pretend to be someone you’re not. This entire experience is really about the opposite—I hold space for you to relax into the present moment and just be. We’ll work with your natural body language, and I’ll guide you gently, offering clear, simple directions that feel natural to who you are. Sometimes I’ll ask you to shift your weight, take a deep breath, or close your eyes for a moment to come back to yourself.
And in between those small adjustments, there are the moments I love most: when you exhale, when your expression softens, when you stop thinking about the camera and just feel like yourself again. Those moments of authenticity - that’s where the magic lives.
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Throughout your session, I love to share some of the images with you as we go because sometimes seeing a glimpse of how the photos are unfolding can ease so much of that quiet doubt. So often, I’ll turn the camera around and watch as something shifts—you see yourself in a new way, in a way that makes you go, “Yes! That’s me!”
Once the session is complete, I take some time to carefully review every image and select the ones that feel most authentically you, the ones that hold that unmistakable spark of your real presence.
A day or two after your shoot, we’ll connect on a Zoom call to look through the images together. This is one of my favorite parts of the process. I’ll help you see what I see: the gestures, the expressions, the small in-between moments you may not even remember doing but that show so much of who you are. There’s never any pressure to rush. I want you to feel like you have space to really take it all in.
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Once you’ve chosen the images you love most, I’ll begin the retouching process. My approach to retouching is always the same: keep you looking like you. I’m not here to erase your history or smooth away all the traces of a life fully lived. I’m here to honor you exactly as you are—while refining the images so they feel true and beautiful.
When everything is complete, I’ll deliver your final images, ready for you to share or simply keep as a reminder of your own worthiness.
And while this is technically the last step, many clients tell me it’s actually the beginning of something new. Seeing yourself reflected back without judgment can change the relationship you have with yourself, which then changes how you show up in the world. It can help you feel more at home in your own skin. It can become a reminder that you never needed to wait to be worthy of being seen.
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If you’ve been putting off booking a photoshoot because you weren’t sure what to expect, I hope this glimpse behind the curtain helps you feel more at ease. You don’t have to feel fully ready. You don’t have to feel confident. You only have to be willing to take the first step.
I’d be honored to walk alongside you in this experience, to help you see yourself in a new way and to create images that feel honest, beautiful, and true.
If you’re in Los Angeles or Palm Springs and you’re curious or still have questions, let’s talk about it. I offer free consultations so you can share whatever is on your heart and decide if this feels like the right time.
This is your invitation to take up space, to be witnessed, and to celebrate exactly who you are.
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