How to Get Natural, Confident Headshots Without Feeling Awkward

“I’m not very comfortable in front of the camera.”

It’s one of the first things people say to me before a headshot session.
And that’s completely normal. In fact, most of the people I photograph feel exactly the same way. Very few arrive feeling confident, relaxed and ready to pose. My job isn’t to turn anyone into a model, it’s to create an environment where they can simply be themselves.

The best headshots don’t come from forcing smiles or holding stiff poses. They come from comfort, conversation and a calm approach.

Making the Session Feel Easy From the Start

Before a camera even comes out, I take time to talk. About what the images are for, where they’ll be used, and how the person wants to come across. This helps shift the focus away from how they look and onto the purpose of the session.

Once people realise there’s no pressure to “get it right” straight away, shoulders drop, breathing slows, and everything becomes easier.

Keeping Things Simple and Unrushed

I deliberately keep headshot sessions calm and unhurried. Rushing makes people self-conscious, and that always shows in the images.

I’ll often start with a few test shots while we’re still chatting, not because they’re meant to be perfect, but because it helps people get used to the camera being there. By the time we settle into the session properly, most people have already forgotten about it.

Gentle Direction, Not Posing

I don’t ask people to hold unnatural poses or force expressions. Instead, I give small, simple guidance. A slight turn, a shift of weight, a change in where they’re looking. These subtle adjustments make a big difference without ever feeling staged.

If something feels awkward, we change it. If it feels natural, we build on it.

Helping People Relax in Front of the Camera

Talking is a big part of how I work. Keeping conversation flowing helps people stop focusing on themselves and start responding naturally. Real expressions tend to appear between moments, not on demand.

I also encourage people to move slightly between shots rather than freezing in place. This keeps energy in the images and avoids that stiff, uncomfortable look so many people worry about.

Lighting That Flatters Without Being Obvious

Good lighting should never feel intimidating. I use soft, balanced lighting that’s designed to be flattering and natural, not harsh or dramatic.

When people aren’t worrying about shadows or bright lights, they relax more quickly. Most don’t even notice the lighting at all, which is exactly how it should be.

Choosing the Right Environment

Whenever possible, I photograph people in spaces that feel familiar. Offices, meeting rooms, quiet corners of a workplace, or neutral backgrounds that don’t feel clinical.

Being in a comfortable environment helps people feel like themselves, and that confidence comes through in the final images.

Trust Builds the Best Images

Almost without exception, the strongest headshots come later in the session. Once the nerves fade and people trust the process, expressions soften and confidence shows naturally.

That’s why I never rush headshot sessions. Allowing time is one of the most important parts of getting natural results.

Headshots That Feel Like You

A professional headshot shouldn’t make you feel like a different person. It should look like you on a good day. Confident, approachable and comfortable.

My role is to guide, reassure and create the right conditions for that to happen. When people leave a session saying, “That was much easier than I expected,” I know we’ve done it right.