I Take Photos of People Who Hate Having Their Photos Taken

A photographer for people who feel awkward in photos

I hear it all the time. “I hate having my picture taken.”

Very often, this line is followed by an explanation. I never like photos of myself. I don’t know what to do in front of the camera.

Many of my families tell me that this feeling is part of why they chose me. They’re nervous about what an in-home family photography session will feel like, but when they look through my portfolio, the families there look relaxed. They look like themselves. 

What they’re responding to isn’t the lighting or composition or technical choices in those photos. They’re seeing how the people in the photos are experiencing a specific type of session with their families and how they’re responding to the person behind the camera – me!

Is it magic?  You might say that.  What I think it is is a collection of tricks I’ve learned through years of doing this AND through going through a few family photo sessions myself.

Years ago, I wrote a blog post explaining why I stopped insisting that new families “relax” before a session with me. That realization came after a session with my own family, photographed by someone I had long admired, Tara Whitney (you can read more about that experience here).

Until I was on the other side of the camera, I didn’t fully appreciate how basically impossible it is not to be stressed before a family photo session. No matter how much reassurance you’re given, the pressure still sneaks in. You care. You want to like the photos.

I’ll admit it: I was a complete wreck in the weeks leading up to my own session.

What if my kids were sullen and uncooperative?
What if I was so self-conscious that I acted like a complete dork in front of the camera?

Of course, I shouldn’t have worried.  The photographer I chose knew just what to do.  Within moments of her arrival, my nerves were gone and I was able to enjoy the time with my family.  Were there a couple of moments when I felt awkward?  Sure – especially at the beginning.  But the gallery Tara prepared for me showed all the best parts of me and my family being exactly who we were during that split second in time.

That experience on the other side of the camera  didn’t just make me more empathetic; it changed how I think about preparing families. It helped me understand that feeling awkward or nervous is pretty much unavoidable. What matters is trust—trusting the person behind the camera to take care of you.

How I Prepare Families Who Feel Awkward About Photos

These days, when I’m preparing new families for the Jaye McLaughlin Photography experience, I try to be much more specific about why they should leave the stress behind—and what I’ll do to help make that possible.

By the time I arrive at your home, we’ve already spent time getting to know each other. It starts with an inquiry phone call, where we talk things through and make sure we’re a good fit. A few weeks before your session, you’ll fill out a questionnaire that helps me understand what matters most to you right now — what you love about your family, what you want to remember about this season, and anything you might be worried about.

Then, a couple of days before your session, we talk again. We walk through my prep checklist — what I affectionately call “The Talk” — and make space for any remaining questions or nerves.

From that first call through final delivery, I want you to know this: you’re always welcome to reach out. Call, text, or email me anytime. If there’s a worry we can address ahead of time, we do.  Any remaining jitters fade once we settle into the flow of the session.

What Happens During the Session

During the session itself, my goal is simple: to help you forget about the camera.

We’ll talk and play. You’ll do the things you naturally do with your people. Nothing is required of you other than showing up as you are, right now, with the people you love.

There’s no posing, no forced smiles, and no pressure to perform. I won’t ask you to be anything other than who you already are. I’ll guide you gently and organically, keeping things moving when it feels helpful and stepping back when it doesn’t.

You might feel a little awkward at first — that’s normal. But as we settle in, the focus shifts away from the camera and back to each other. That’s where the real moments live, and that’s what I’m there to capture.

It’s Okay If You Feel Awkward (Here’s Why)

There are more magic tricks in the post-session process, too.  A big part of my job happens after I leave your home. I walk away with hundreds of split-second moments from our time together. I don’t need all of them to tell your story — in fact, I can’t possibly use them all.

I carefully go through every image and narrow them down to a thoughtful, cohesive set that becomes your final gallery. Will it include moments of your kids hugging, playing, and making each other laugh? Absolutely. Will it include a stray blink, a stiff pose, or an awkward smile? Nope.

What you’ll see is you and your family at your best — relaxed, connected, and unmistakably yourselves. Many moments land on the cutting room floor. The ones that remain are the moments you’ll want to return to, again and again.

Once you see your first gallery, all of this will make sense. I won’t need to reassure you anymore — because you’ll already know. How do I know this? Time after time, my repeat clients tell me the same thing.

Thanks for looking,

~Jaye

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Jaye McLaughlin is an award-winning newborn and family photographer serving Westchester, NYC, and beyond since 2010. Her work focuses on natural, in-home photography that helps families slow down and remember the beauty of everyday life together.

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