Note one · the story
Pick the story first
Before you think about your body at all, decide what the photo should say. Expression leads; the pose only supports it. In a session we'll usually play through four:
- Happy & approachable — a real laugh; warm, trustworthy, easy to be around.
- Sweet & warm — soft eyes, a gentle closed-lip smile.
- Open & vulnerable — relaxed face, lips slightly parted; honest and unguarded.
- Serious & dramatic — settled and direct, like you're about to say something that matters.
Practice switching between them in the mirror. Once you can feel the difference, the camera just catches it.
Note two · posture
Stand tall, then step in
Posture is the foundation — then add a little energy toward the lens:
- Lengthen up through the top of your head; roll your shoulders back and down, away from your ears.
- Step into the photo — shift your weight slightly toward the camera, like leaning in for a handshake. It reads instantly as confident.
- Keep your arms softly bent and a little away from your body — never pinned flat to your sides.
Note three · the chin
Chin out, then down
My favorite trick, and it works on everyone: reach your chin slightly out toward the camera, then bring it down a touch. It feels strange — and it defines your jaw every single time.
- Lead with the chin out, then lower it just a hair — not tucked, just down.
- Keep your forehead toward the camera as you do it.
- A slight stretch at the back of your neck means it's working.
Note four · the angle
Angle your body
Squaring up to the camera shows your widest view and reads stiff. A turn does the opposite:
- Turn your body about 45° off-camera, near shoulder rolled slightly forward.
- Bring just your head back toward the lens — or glance over the forward shoulder for something softer.
- Weight on the back foot; it relaxes your hips into an easy, natural line.
Note five · hands
Give your hands a job
Hands cause the most on-camera panic — so never leave them unemployed, and never let them face the camera flat.
- Pockets (thumbs out), one on a hip, or up near your face, chin, or hair.
- Wrists soft; show the edge of the hand, not the flat back.
- Crossed arms + a lean toward the camera = grounded and confident, not closed off.
Note six · the eyes
Eyes & smile, for real
A great smile starts in the eyes, not the mouth. A few cues that keep it genuine:
- For a smile with teeth, rest your tongue gently behind your upper teeth — it relaxes the whole face.
- Try sparkle eyes — smiling with your eyes before your mouth joins in.
- Think of the person who makes you laugh, about half a second before the frame. Real beats posed, every time.
Note seven · seated
If you're sitting
Seated poses follow the same rules — angled, leaning, hands busy:
- Sit toward the front edge of the seat, tall through the spine — don't sink back.
- Lean forward, elbows on knees, for an engaged, conversational feel.
- Angle your legs to one side; rest a hand on a knee or bring one up toward your chin.
Note eight · the routine — then let it go
The 5-minute mirror routine
The night before, run it once or twice, and snap phone photos at eye level — a still frame is much closer to what my camera sees than your live reflection:
- Pick your story — happy, sweet, open, or dramatic.
- Stand tall and step in, arms a little away from your body.
- Chin out, then down.
- Angle 45°, head back to the camera, weight on the back foot.
- Give your hands a job, then let the eyes lead the smile.
And on the day? You're allowed to forget all of it. Directing you is my job — the practice just means you'll recognize the looks I guide you into instead of meeting them cold.