(The short answer to the question: Can you help me pose for my headshots? YES. And you don’t need to do a single thing before you arrive.)
If you’ve ever looked at your favourite business owners online and thought: “They look so confident in their photos… I could never do that,”
I’m here to tell you something important. You do not need to be a model to get great headshots. Not in the slightest.
Whether you’re booking headshots in Manchester or a personal branding photography shoot, 99% of my clients say the exact same things before their shoot:
“I’m awkward.”
“I never like photos of myself.”
“I have no idea how to pose.”
“I’m camera shy!”
And guess what? Those same clients have walked away with headshots and brand photos they love. Because posing isn’t something you show up knowing… it’s something I guide you through. It’s all part of the service!
In this guide, I’m breaking down exactly how I help camera-shy clients feel confident, look natural, and enjoy their headshot or branding session.
You’re not supposed to know how to pose for your photos
This is the first thing I want you to breathe in deeply: You are not expected to arrive at your headshots shoot knowing what to do. Posing you is my job, not yours.
I don’t expect you to know what to do with your hands, how to angle your body, or what expression to pull. Most people get in front of a camera a handful of times in their adult life… why on earth would you magically know what to do on demand?
You’re not a model. Or a robot. You’re a business owner or creative who wants to show up authentically online.
And honestly? That’s far better. Because your ideal clients want to see a real human with a real personality.
My headshots posing style: simple, supportive, and actually… fun
I’m not into barking instructions, micro-managing your expressions or contorting you into positions that feel more like yoga poses (unless you are a yoga instructor of course!)
My approach to posing you for headshots is:
Gentle and helpful direction: I’ll tell you where to stand, what to do with your hands, which way to turn, and what expression we’re aiming with easy and simple prompts.
Demonstration (yes, I’ll show you!): Sometimes it’s easier to see a pose than hear it described. I’ll demonstrate so you know exactly what we’re going for.
Natural prompts, not rigid posing: Instead of set commands, you’ll get prompts like:
“Relax your shoulders and think about your next holiday,”
“Pretend your bestie has just come into the room,”
“Try not to laugh at my next joke…”
Though they look a bit daft written down, these kinds of prompts create natural expressions, which is exactly what we want.
Encouragement and reassurance: I’ll tell you what’s working, what looks great, and hype you up the entire way. By the end of the shoot, my headshot clients always say the same thing:
“That was WAY easier than I expected.”
“The shoot went by so fast.”
“I actually had fun?!”
Push through ‘awkward’ to look amazing in your brand photos
This is a big one. Not every pose we try will be right for you, but often something that feels slightly weird at the time can look fantastic in your finished brand photos. So it’s important to push through those feelings of awkwardness and trust the process.
That’s why you’ll hear me say ‘let’s try this’ lots during your headshots shoot. I’ll use my go-to poses peppered with a little experimentation to find what works just right for you.
Working together is a collaboration – and creativity is a huge part of creating stand-out, scroll-stopping personal branding photography.
Your personality matters more than perfect posing
This is the golden truth I wish everyone knew: a technically perfect pose doesn’t matter to your ideal clients. It’s your personality shining through in your headshot that makes them want to connect with you.
That’s why I focus on capturing personal brand photography with:
- real smiles and laughter
- genuine authentic moments
- natural expressions
- relaxed energy
- real personality
Your ideal clients care far more about how you make them feel than whether your chin is at the perfect angle.
Easing into your brand photo shoot
Before your brand shoot happens, we will have talked through what you can expect so that your mind is put at ease. And you would have been through a process of planning so you’re fully prepared.
You won’t be thrown in at the deep end on the day of your shoot either. I’ll ease you in slowly with very simple prompts and chatting between photos.
This helps you relax, forget the camera exists, and suddenly you don’t feel like you’re posing at all. You’re simply being yourself while I guide you. And that’s where the magic happens.
Nervous people make some of the best brand photos
Nerves mean you want to show up well and make the most of your investment. Nerves mean you’re stepping into something that’s going to elevate your brand visually. In short, nerves mean you care.
So don’t be afraid of your nervousness. It means you have thought through what you want from your headshots or brand photos. And if you’re coming to your branding shoot with a clear vision and intentions, your finished images will be even more powerful.
Camera shy? You’re in the right place for Manchester headshots
You don’t need confidence. You don’t need experience. And you definitely don’t need to be a model.
You just need to show up as yourself for your Manchester headshots or personal brand photography and I’ll guide you through everything else. You’ll feel supported, encouraged, and never once left thinking, “What do I do now?”
If you’re nervous, please know that’s totally normal — and genuinely one of my favourite challenges to support clients through. Whether you’re booking headshots in Manchester or headshots in Cheshire, I’ve got you. Ready to see what you’re capable of? Let’s get you booked in. You’re going to do brilliantly!
