Hey, my friend! Happy Tuesday!
Thanks for stopping by again. Really. I know there are a million things fighting for attention every day, so if you’re here reading this, it means a lot.
Over time, I’ve learned one simple thing about photography. You can have great light, nice gear, and all the right settings… and still come home with images that feel empty. At the same time, there are days when nothing is really perfect, yet the photos just work. They feel alive.
Most of the difference comes down to one word: connection.
It doesn’t matter whether the person in front of the camera is a professional model or someone who has never done this before. What really shapes the images is the atmosphere you create together. Little by little, a sense of trust settles in, and everything starts to feel more natural.
Over the years, I’ve worked with people who felt comfortable from the very first shot, and with others who were clearly uncomfortable. This happens a lot with first-timers. Hands don’t know where to go. Faces get stiff. There’s always that unspoken question: “Okay… now what?”
Honestly, I understand that feeling very well.
Being photographed can feel strange, and sometimes even intimidating.
For this reason, I almost never start by shooting. Instead, I start by talking. Nothing serious and nothing forced. Just a normal conversation, the kind you’d have sitting at a bar or waiting for a coffee. We might talk about music, random interests, how their day is going, or why they said yes to the shoot in the first place.
The point isn’t small talk for its own sake. Rather, it’s about creating a shared moment. This isn’t an exam, and it’s definitely not a performance.
I remember one model, on her very first set, who was clearly nervous at the beginning. At some point, we started talking about her dog. Instantly, her expression changed. Her shoulders relaxed, her face softened, and without even noticing, she stopped posing and simply started being there. As a result, the photos changed immediately.
When someone is shy, I’ve learned that it helps to gently pull their attention away from the camera. If the shoot starts to feel more like hanging out with a friend than “doing photos,” everything becomes easier.
At some point, of course, directions are still needed. Posing doesn’t magically solve itself, especially with non-professional models. While professionals usually know what to do with their bodies, first-timers often don’t. And that’s perfectly fine.
In these situations, the tone makes all the difference.
I try to keep instructions simple and human. No technical language and no pressure. Just small suggestions like, “Turn a bit this way,” or “Nice, stay there.” Simple words, but very effective.
For example, I once photographed a guy who had never been in front of a camera before. He was stiff, almost afraid to move. So I told him, “Just walk towards me, like you’re walking down the street.” While he moved, I kept encouraging him with small comments. Step by step, his confidence grew, and those frames ended up being some of my favourites from that day.
Another thing I notice very often is how hard non-professional models are on themselves. They apologise, ask if they’re doing something wrong, and worry about every little detail.
Because of this, there’s one sentence I repeat a lot during shoots: “There’s no wrong way to do this.” If something doesn’t work, we change it. Simple as that, without drama.
One of my favourite moments happened during an engagement shoot. She was excited but nervous, while he was clearly self-conscious. At one point, he tried a smile that wasn’t very natural. Instead of making it awkward, I laughed and said, “That smile is perfect. For a passport.” He burst out laughing, the tension disappeared, and from that moment on, everything flowed.
With first-timers especially, trust needs to grow quickly.
People need to feel safe enough to relax, try new things, and sometimes even look a bit silly. That’s all part of the process.
For this reason, I always show good shots during the session. Not to show off, but to reassure them. Very often, people look at the screen and say something like, “Wait… that’s me?” In that moment, something clicks.
I once photographed a woman who told me straight away, “I’ve never liked myself in photos.” It wasn’t the easiest start. After a few shots, I showed her one where everything aligned. She stared at it for a second and then smiled. From that point on, she trusted the process, and the whole mood changed.
At the end of the day, that’s what I’m really after. Not perfect poses, and not flawless technique. Instead, I look for that moment when someone relaxes enough to let themselves be seen.
When that happens, the photos almost take care of themselves.
So yes, light matters. Gear matters. Technique matters too. However, connection is the one thing I never want to skip.
And if, at some point during a shoot, it feels less like work and more like a shared moment, then we’re probably doing something right.
Taka care and talk soon!