Woman in white tank and ornage skirt holds white shawl over her head while standing in the dunes at sunset at Ocean Beach in San Francisco.

Let’s be honest: most of us freeze in front of a camera.

You know that awkward moment when someone says, “Just act natural,” while pointing a giant lens at your face? Yeah, me too. Whether you’re a tired parent wrangling toddlers, a single professional braving dating photos for the first time, a high school senior planning your highly anticipated senior session, or a business owner stepping up their brand with a brand session, that pressure to "get it right" at your photo shoot can make the whole endeavour anxiety-provoking.

Here’s the truth: Most All of the clients I photograph aren’t models. They’re not used to having their photo taken. They’re just real people who want to look relaxed and confident. They also worry about where to put their hands, how to stand, how it’s going to feel, or if they’re going to love the outcome.

Over the last 14 years and more than a 1000 photo sessions, I’ve developed an approach to directing and posing that’s gentle and intuitive. Because the best photos - they’re the ones where you still feel and look like you.

Blond, handsome man in suede jacket and jeans sits casually on blue painted steps in the Mission neighborhood in San Francisco.

What do we mean when we talk about posing?

You don’t need a long list of awkward prompts or stiff instructions to look great in photos. In fact, the more we can dial down the prescibed poses and self-consciousness, the more your natural beauty and personality shine through.

My approach to posing is more like directing. Directing you to stand in the good light, the beautiful location, and with right combination of posture and gesture that makes you look confident, relaxed, and attractive. I give just enough guidance to help you feel at ease in your body, while simultaneously downplaying the pressure of the camera being there. I don’t want your session to feel like an audition or an interview. I want it to feel like a breath of fresh air and a celebration of you.

So if you’ve ever worried that you won’t know how to “pose” (whatever that means to you), let me set your mind at ease. Here’s how I approach it…

4 Posing Tips That Help You Look Confident and Natural

1. Start with your stance

My favorite starting point? I simply ask clients to stand how they naturally would if I wasn’t there. From that authentic foundation, I make micro-adjustments:

Relax the shoulders and let your arms fall with ease.
Shift your weight slightly to one leg - it softens your stance.
Think “long and open” rather than “straight and rigid”—lift through the crown of your head, but keep your body loose.
If standing still feels awkward, I’ll invite movement (walking slowly, interacting with your kid or partner, or gently swaying). Fluid motion often leads to the most genuine moments.
Another little trick? Angle your body slightly instead of facing the camera straight on. It creates dimension and is universally flattering.

These subtle posture tweaks can significantly change how the photo reads, without making you feel stiff or “posed.”

Blong man in blue suit, stands with crossed legs in front of the deYoung Museum in San Francisco.

Family of four stand holding hands and leaning into one another, while the camera catches their reflection in a puddle. Shot at the Embarcadero in San Francisco during a family photo shoot.

2. Let the light do the heavy lifting

As a natural light photographer, light is always my first thought—before posing, before location, before anything else. I’m looking at where it’s coming from, how strong it is, and what’s in its way. Direction, intensity, and the natural “modifiers” at our location—trees, walls, overhangs, clouds—are all part of my mental equation. These things shape the look and the mood of the images we’re making.

If you want to geek out on light, it’s one of my favorite topics. But here’s the quick version: good quality light can flatter anyone. It softens skin texture, makes eyes sparkle, and gives depth to features. Poor quality light, on the other hand, can be harsh and unkind, no matter how amazing you look in person.

Once we’ve found or created flattering light, you truly don’t have to work very hard to look your best. I might have you:

Tilt your chin slightly up or down to catch the light just right.
Turn your body a few degrees so light grazes across your face for soft dimension.
Lean in a direction that brings more light into your eyes.

These tiny, almost imperceptible shifts can make a dramatic difference—highlighting cheekbones, defining jawlines, and giving your skin that natural glow without a single filter. The light does most of the work; you just get to be in it.

BTS footage of me directing a client during a senior portrait session at Blake Garden, with a few samples of the resulting images we made.

San Francisco City Hall elopement portrait with pregnant bride in white cress.

3. Learn what to do with your hands (the eternal mystery!)

This one comes up often, so it deserves its own section. Here’s my go-to advice:

If you’re with family, interact as you would naturally.
Hold hands, lift your child, go in for a hug, or rest your hand on a partner’s shoulder. The key is connection; when your hands are doing something meaningful, they automatically look natural.
For solo portraits (dating, senior, branding), I’ll guide you every step of the way.
I’ll have you place your hand in a pocket, cross them easily across your lap, tuck your hair behind an ear, or gently touch your own arm. You can also rest a hand on your hip for confidence, or loosely drape it along a chair or railing. These small, purposeful gestures feel relaxed and photograph beautifully.
When in doubt, add a little motion.
Walk, sway, twirl, adjust a sleeve, smooth your hair, or straighten a necklace. Movement keeps your body from feeling frozen and often sparks those candid expressions we’re all after.

Pregnant woman with white cotton shirt, blue jeans, and an exposed belly stands in soft light during maternity session in Palo Alto.

Woman walks down street lined with palm trees while flipping her long brown hair with her hands.

4. Your face tells your story

Relax, relax, relax.
Softening your jaw, brow, and smile helps you go from “deer in the headlights” to an easy-breezy gaze that is confident and natural.
Think about something (or someone) that makes you happy.
A genuine smile starts in the eyes. If you picture a moment, person, or place you love, the emotion shows up naturally in your expression without forcing it.
Breathe between shots.
People often “freeze” their face when a camera is on them. A little inhale/exhale and a micro-reset between shutter clicks keeps your expression from getting stiff.
Play with micro-expressions.
Not every shot needs a smile. Try a neutral expression, followed by a tiny smirk, followed by a barely-there grin, or even a “thoughtful” look with parted lips. These subtle changes can give a gallery so much variety.

Sometimes I’ll crack jokes to relax you. Other times, I just hold the space quietly and let your expressions naturally unfold. There’s beauty in both approaches, and a lot of that comes down to in-the-moment energy and trust. It’s my job is to make you feel safe enough to drop into your real self - whether that's laughter, tenderness, confidence, or a focused gaze into the camera .

Brunette woman in flowered dress smiles up camera from a seat on wooden platform.

Man in white Yankees hat and brown cardigan, leans against bar table and gazes at camera. Shot during dating portrait session in San Francisco.

Why this all matters? We want our real selves seen.

Let’s take the pressure off:

You don’t need to perform for the camera.
You don’t need to know your “good angles.”
You definitely don’t need to become a different version of yourself to look great in photos.

What you do need is simple:

Support and guidance from me.
Beautiful light and a little space to breathe.
One or two easy cues you can actually remember.

When you feel grounded and at ease during your session, that’s what shows up in your images.

And yes, it’s okay to want the most flattering photos possible. That’s exactly why you’ve hired a professional. But the real magic - the images you’ll actually frame on your wall or confidently upload to your dating profile - comes from feeling truly seen. That’s the part I care about most.

Asian mother with young twin boys sits on a log in the Presidio while her sons hug and kiss her.

Pregant woman dances with husband in the surf at Crissy Beach during a maternty session.

Ready to be in front of the camera with confidence?

Whether you’re planning a joyful family session in Marin, dating portraits in San Francisco, or branding images for your Menlo Park practice, my approach is always the same: supportive, relaxed, and focused on capturing you.

If you’ve been avoiding photos because you feel “not photogenic” or unsure how to pose, it’s time to let those old ideas go. You don’t need to perform or be someone you’re not. With the right guidance and a little trust in the process, you’ll be surprised at how natural, and even fun, it can feel.

So take a moment to explore my portrait work, peek at some family and branding galleries, and imagine yourself in front of my lens feeling comfortable, confident, and completely seen. When you’re ready, I’d love to connect, hear your vision, and help create images you’ll truly treasure.

Posing Tips That Make You Look (and Feel) Amazing in Your Photos