The Awkward Feeling You Think You’ll Have? It’s Not What Really Happens
Maybe you’ve said it out loud. Maybe you’ve just felt it as you looked online for a family photographer: “We’d love family photos… but we’re awkward in front of the camera.”
You’re not alone. Nearly every family I’ve worked with has worried about this. It’s one of the first things people tell me when they book a session. “We’re not very natural in photos.” “I don’t know how to pose.” “What if the kids act out?” and sometimes even, “One of us really doesn’t like being photographed…”
Let me offer you some relief: what if your family doesn’t need to do anything different at all?
There’s a family I photographed recently who were feeling pretty nervous before the session. The mum told me she wasn’t sure how to “act” in front of the camera, and they were worrying about whether they’d seem natural or if I’d be waiting for picture-perfect moments. But then life started to happen – a nappy needed changing, snack negotiations occurred, toys were scattered, and laughter bubbled up. By the end of it, the whole family had not only relaxed but actually forgotten they were being photographed.
This is the magic of documentary-style family photography. And it’s exactly why awkwardness fades fast.
It’s Okay to Feel Unsure – But You Don’t Need to Perform
Here’s the truth: I don’t want you to pose or act any different than you do on a regular Saturday afternoon. Photo sessions with me aren’t about performing or finding the right angle – they’re about being present with the people you love, doing the things you already do.
I won’t ask you to fake a laugh, stand stiffly next to each other, or re-arrange your entire home to make it match a Pinterest board. In fact, the mess, the motion, the unfiltered pieces of your life? That’s what makes your photos powerful.
We’ll talk before your photo session about what kind of moments you want to remember. Whether that’s storytime on the sofa, pancake-making chaos, a run through the park, or a quieter moment with your child in your arms – you get to shape the experience. I’m simply there to reflect your world back to you with honesty and care.
How to Relax (Even if You Think You Can’t)
Here’s what I want you to know before your session: real is always better than posed. But if that nervous knot pops up anyway, here are a few ways I help families settle into a more natural rhythm.
1. Focus on Each Other, Not Me
One of the core things I tell families is: You don’t need to pay attention to me. (Although you do not need to ignore me either, as you can read in this blog post…I won’t be lurking awkwardly in a corner).
You’ll be busy living – helping your child get dressed, cooking dinner, pushing a swing, or stepping over LEGO on your carpet. I’ll meet you there. Think of me as a friend with a camera, gently chatting with you as you move through your day. And the more you focus on each other, the more your true connections shine through in the images.
2. You Can Be Yourselves, Fully
Kids can be silly or quiet. They can run off, giggle, get grumpy, or climb on your back. Adults can sip tea or run after toddlers or change nappies mid-conversation. Nothing needs to be fixed or faked. You don’t have to tidy up your house or choose matching outfits – unless you enjoy that. This session is about the truth of your family, not a version of perfection.
If your child is neurodivergent, like many families I work with, we’ll take even more care to honour their needs and routines. There’s space for every personality and every pace.
3. We Start With Connection
I don’t show up with a camera in your face. I show up as a person. That means we’ll chat, we’ll get to know each other, and I’ll meet your children with warmth and patience. If it helps, I’ll ask questions, start conversations, and genuinely engage with your family so that you feel comfortable and open. This isn’t a performance. It’s connection – the real kind, with space for everyone to be who they are.
Why It’s Worth Showing Up Just As You Are
These photos aren’t about crafting some polished version of your life. They’re about remembering what things actually felt like. The swirls of a toddler’s enthusiasm. The quiet satisfaction of a cuddle after a tough day. The ordinary, beautiful rituals that are yours.
And when you stop worrying about what you look like – when you stop trying to be someone else – that’s when the most meaningful images happen.
You belong in the frame, even if you feel awkward. Especially if you’ve spent years behind the camera. These images are part of your legacy. They’re your children’s memories of you.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself in Front of the Camera?
If all this sounds like a relief – like maybe, finally, it’s possible to have family photos that feel good and true – let’s talk. I work with families across London and surrounding areas, including Bromley, Beckenham, Dulwich, and Greenwich, and I’d be honoured to capture your everyday stories.
Step into the frame. You don’t have to pose. You just have to be yourselves.
Send me a message, and we can arrange a call for you to tell me more about your family and what you’re looking for.
Let’s turn the ordinary into something unforgettable.
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