When the Camera Makes You Freeze: A Gentle Path Back to Feeling Safe
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For some of you reading this, I’m guessing your experience with being photographed has gone a bit like this before.
You made the decision to book the shoot. You picked out your clothing, maybe practiced a smile in the mirror, and told yourself you were ready. But then you walked into the studio, and suddenly it was like a wave of doubt washed over you.
I imagine you might have heard that small, familiar voice whispering, “What if this was a mistake?” or “I don’t know what I’m doing here.” Maybe you felt your chest get tight, your thoughts start to spin. You began noticing everything - how you were standing, whether your smile looked forced, whether you even belonged in front of the camera at all.
If you’ve ever felt that way, I want you to know it doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for this. It just means you’re human.
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Freezing up isn’t just nerves. It’s your body’s ancient way of trying to keep you safe. When the camera comes out, it can feel like every old insecurity rushes up to the surface all at once. I’ve heard every confession, all the things people pinpoint that they don’t like about their physical appearance - ears that stick out, a smile they’ve never liked, the way their eyes look when they’re tired.
You start to perform because it feels safer than simply being yourself. But the body can’t fake ease. So you end up stuck in that in-between place, overthinking every little thing and hoping the moment will just be over soon.
And I know that freeze doesn’t come from nowhere. Maybe for you, it’s the fear of judgment. Or perfectionism. Or the memory of a time you were told you weren’t good enough. I know for me, it came from the years in my childhood when I felt such shame about who I was and struggled to find any kind of self-acceptance. Whatever your story, it matters. And it deserves to be met with compassion.
I believe how you’re photographed matters just as much as the final images.
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I think about Tracey, a client of mine who showed up carrying all those same fears. She told me, “I was really nervous about a photo shoot, as I have performance anxiety and hate when things are really staged.”
I could feel how much courage it took for her to be there. So I focused on creating a space where she could breathe. Where she could feel, even for a moment, that she didn’t have to pretend.
Later, she shared, “Aaron made me feel extremely comfortable. I felt myself relaxing right away, and I was able to get some really natural shots.”
I hear this so often. Most people walk in feeling tense, unsure, afraid they’ll look foolish. And nearly every time, they leave saying something like, “I didn’t expect to enjoy that,” or, “That felt surprisingly healing.” It’s because I meet you with empathy and presence and that always inspires a deep level of opening and softening.
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When you arrive, I slow everything down. There’s never any pressure to be “on” or any expectation that you already know what to do. I’ll invite you to take a breath, to settle into your body, and to remember you don’t have to perform here.
While I’m photographing you, I’m paying attention to more than your expression. I’m reading the quiet cues of your body. I use my intuition to sense into your energy, to really feel the moments of truest authenticity that are unique to who you are. I’ll offer some gentle guidance that feels natural and real.
I’ll show you images as we go because sometimes, seeing yourself in that in-between moment is exactly what flips the switch from “I’m doing this wrong” to “Oh…maybe I actually look good.” Over and over, I’ve watched people settle into themselves in that instant. It never stops feeling like magic.
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There’s a relaxed, grounded energy you can feel coming from every person in my portfolio. It’s not because they showed up knowing how to pose. It’s simply because they were willing to show up at all—and I created a space where they felt safe to relax into their authentic selves and be seen. There are no fake smiles in this work. There’s simply human connection. And connection melts fear.
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When you realize you don’t have to perform to be worthy of being seen, something shifts. The freeze starts to melt, not just for a moment, but in a way that can transform how you relate to yourself.
As Rachel Naomi Remen wrote, “The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.”
That’s what I offer you - my full attention, without judgment, so you can feel safe to simply be.
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If the idea of a photoshoot makes your body tense up, I want you to know you’re not alone. If you’re scared, I’ve got you. You’re not in this by yourself. We’ll go on this journey together. Your soul already knows how to be seen. Sometimes you just need a little permission to stop performing.
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