I used to get so nervous before shooting couples. “Would I say something dumb?” “What if I completely froze up mid-session?” I was already stressing about taking pictures that wouldn’t completely suck, and getting my camera settings right… but THEN I was expected to also just kill it at posing and all that!? Pshhhh…. *cue the eye roll emoji* 

 

I feel ya girl. Been there. And don’t get me wrong, sometimes I still get butterflies before sessions! But it’s not because I don’t think I’ll get images that aren’t good anymore, it’s because I’m genuinely PUMPED to meet them and tell their story. 

 

So, I want to help you make that transition too and be able to leave your sessions KNOWING that you got great images. Ya ready!?

 

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Above all of the tips, tricks, and technical things you need to you; you’ve GOT to get in the right mindset before approaching your sessions.

 

And I’m not talking about any of that “just fake it ‘till you make it,” stuff. Because sister that’s only surface level, and surface-level thinking won’t get you anywhere. ??‍♀️

 

So, ready to dive deep into some strategies on how to feel more confident when shooting couples? Word. Let’s do it. 

 

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1. You’ve got to get over yourself and remember that these couples sessions aren’t actually about you.

 

 

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not about getting awesome images for yourself or your portfolio. You are interacting with two people, who share a beautiful story about themselves and their journey through life, to finding each other and finding love. So let’s focus on THAT first. 

 

I firmly believe that when you approach your sessions from a place of service, the rest of the session will naturally start to flow.

 

 

2. Bring sales psychology into your couple’s sessions, (but not the slimy car salesman-y kind, and not the kind you’d use when selling prints or products.)

 

I’m talking about the experience of interacting with your brand (you,) during the session. The “selling” doesn’t end when they pay the invoice and book you. You don’t get to drop the ball then. You’re still delivering an experience, and it needs to be top-notch at every point in the process. 

 

You always want to be thinking about the experience, what could you do that would make a lasting impact on them during their session? It will ultimately lead to testimonials of course, but it will also impact them and make them feel seen, heard, valued, loved, and served well. And I don’t know about you, but that’s the top priority in my business! 

 

So, take the focus off of you as the photographer, and focus on them and their story. If that requires you to start meeting up with the couple 30-minutes prior to their session for coffee or lunch – then do it girl! (I actually highly recommend it if you can swing it!) 

 

3. Remind yourself that there are lives out there waiting to be changed — but if you’re being disobedience, staying scared, and playing it small — you’re potentially keeping them from an incredible experience and images that capture the abundant life they’re living. ?? 

 

I don’t know about you, but that thought sets a fire under my little butt to get MOVING and do WERK for the Kingdom! ?? When I sit and think about the lives that God is bringing to me to touch and change, I get excited! I think, “Wow God. You’re trusting me to pour into them and love on them,” and I want to do it to the best of my ability. (Col 3:23 I’m lookin’ at you.)

 

But above all – please remember, you’re no longer a slave to fear; you’re a Child of God. ?? That applies to EVERY aspect of your life, sis. Whether it’s fear of not being good enough, or fear that they won’t like their images. Focus on serving them FIRST, and they’ll remember how well you treated them far beyond what the images even looked like. That’s what matters most.  

 

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For 20 years, I danced competitively on stages all around the nation. I’d been a dancer since I was 2 years old, (so basically since I could walk LOL,) but even at 20 I still got nervous before I walked on stage. 

 

However, our job as performers was simply to entertain, and allow the viewers to lose themselves in the experience. It wasn’t really about us, it was actually about them. We stepped out on stage with confidence, even when we felt like we were going to vomit. (Yes, I felt that way every time.) 

 

It’s not about “faking it till you make it,” it’s an, “I’m going to push the way I’m feeling aside in order to serve these people the best I can and leave them better than I found them.”

 

When you approach photography from this place, you’re able to shake off all of the stress that comes with the technical stuff. 

 

You’ll get better at photography the more you do it, and the more you invest in learning how to be better — I promise. 

 

And if you’re dying for some technical teaching, last week I dropped a blog on 6 posing prompts to use during your next couples session. You can check that out right here! 

 

Did this bring you a refreshed sense of purpose for approaching your photography biz? If so, let me know below! I’d love to hear. <3 

 

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WANT TO THROW YOUR HANDS UP IN THE AIR BECAUSE YOU’RE CRAZY OVERWHELMED AND ARE READY TO JUST START MAKING REAL MONEY WITH THIS EXPENSIVE HOBBY OF YOURS? 

I feel you. Did you know you can chat with me for FREE, (no strings attached,) and have me walk you through the process? Then, if you decide you want to have me come alongside you and put in place what we chatted about– we can get you on my books for 1-1 mentoring ASAP!

Click the link below, and I’ll start making the coffee now for our chat! Can’t WAIT!

 

 

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Looking for more helpful photography tips? Feel free to binge on these blog posts, or pin ’em on Pinterest for later! ??

If you’re short on time, follow me on Pinterest – and you’ll get these kinda tips delivered straight to your feed! You know… when you’re scrollin’ through Pinterest with coffee in hand, ready to take on the day… or, procrastinate.

Whatevs. Pinterest biz sesh, anybody!? ??