"I'm Not Photogenic"

"I'm not photogenic."

It's probably the phrase I hear more than any other before a participant walks into a headshot session. What's interesting is that I hear it from just about anyone. It doesn’t matter if they’re executives, entrepreneurs, engineers, creatives, and people who are really confident in in what they do in their careers.

Over the years, I've realized "I'm not photogenic" usually isn't about how someone looks. It's about how they've learned to see themselves.

For some, it comes from years of seeing photos that didn't feel like them. Maybe they were rushed through school pictures or company photo days. Maybe someone made a comment about their smile or appearance years ago that quietly stuck. Maybe they always felt awkward in front of a camera because no one ever told them what to do. Those experiences can shape the way we think about ourselves, and eventually, "I'm not photogenic" starts to feel like a fact instead of an idea.

Our brains are really good at holding onto negative experiences. One bad photo can outweigh dozens of good ones because it reinforces a story we've already started telling ourselves.

The good news is that stories can change!

That's why I don't believe a great headshot starts with the camera. It starts with creating an experience where you feel safe, supported, and never judged.

You don't have to know how to pose. You don't have to practice your smile beforehand. You don't have to worry about being "good" in front of the camera.

That's my job.

Throughout the session, I'll guide you with small adjustments, help you find natural expressions, and create an environment where you can stop thinking about how you look and simply just be present. More often than not, that's when the best photos happen. Why worry about the future when you are not even in the present right?

A great headshot isn't about looking like someone else. It's about recognizing the version of yourself that everyone else already sees; the warm, kind, loving, wonderful, and genuine you.

So if you've ever said, "I'm not photogenic," I'd gently challenge that thought.

Maybe you're not unphotogenic.

Maybe you've just never had someone take the time to help you feel seen.