Most people tell me they’re “not photogenic” or that they hate having their picture taken. I understand it completely, and I want to gently push back: feeling awkward in front of a camera is normal, and it has very little to do with how the photographs actually turn out. The discomfort is real, but it isn’t the whole story.
A few things genuinely help. First, do something rather than pose for nothing — walk together, talk, share a private joke; movement and conversation loosen the stiffness that holds a static pose. Second, give yourself permission to be unpolished. The half-second after a laugh, when the face softens, is almost always better than the held smile. Third, trust that a good photographer is watching for those in-between moments and won’t keep the frames where you blinked or braced.
And honestly, the most important factor isn’t a technique at all — it’s feeling comfortable with the person holding the camera. That’s why I’d always rather meet beforehand and let any nervousness wear off than show up a stranger. You don’t need to be a model. You just need to feel safe enough to be yourself for a few minutes.