One of the things people often tell me is that they are not photogenic. I have already written about this subject, and you can read that article Why You Feel Not Photogenic As a Business Owner.
Today, I would like to focus on what happens when you don't feel photogenic and how this can affect the photographs taken of you.
1. Your Energy Is Low
One of the main things a portrait captures is your energy, and your expression is directly connected to it.
When you think negatively about yourself, this can be reflected in your expressions, especially in your eyes. And a portrait is all about the eyes!
This is one of the reasons why an image can feel unconvincing, even when it is technically a “nice photo”. The photograph might look good, but it doesn't communicate the confidence, warmth or personality you would like people to see.
©2026 Leticia Gaidon Bradford Photography. All Rights Reserved.
2. You Hold Tension in Your Body
The tension in your body is another obvious aspect of being photographed.
Without even realising it, you might lift your shoulders, clench your hands into fists or keep your eyes wide open because you are afraid of blinking just as the photographer presses the shutter button.
At the same time, you might be full of doubts about how you look and whether you are doing things correctly during the photo session.
All this tension can affect your posture, expressions and body language. Instead of looking natural and relaxed, you might appear uncomfortable, even when you are trying your best to look good.
3. You Don't See Your Photos Objectively
This is a very interesting part of the process.
During a photo session, you might feel extremely self-conscious, often focusing on what you don't like about yourself. This is where your photographer's role becomes important: helping you move away from those negative thoughts and guiding you towards more natural expressions and poses.
However, when you are feeling this way, it can be difficult to recognise a good photograph of yourself. Even when your photographer shows you an excellent image, you might struggle to see it in the same way they do.
Interestingly, this can change when you look through your online gallery later. You might find yourself struggling to choose which photographs to buy because there are so many images you like, but your budget doesn't allow you to buy them all!
In my experience, this is not unusual. Many clients arrive at their session feeling self-conscious, and it takes time and guidance for them to relax and feel more comfortable in front of the camera.
©2026 Leticia Gaidon Bradford Photography. All Rights Reserved.
Don't Put Unrealistic Expectations on Yourself
My advice, as always, is not to put unrealistic expectations on yourself. You don't need to know how to pose or worry about every expression you make during a photo session.
The more relaxed you are, the easier it is to capture natural expressions and create photographs that feel like you. Your photographer is there to guide you through the process and help you achieve the best possible results.
If you are considering a new headshot, personal branding session or portrait, book a free consultation with me. We can discuss your goals, what you need from your photographs and how we can plan a session around them.
Thank you for reading this.
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Bye for now.