99% of the guys I work with aren’t models. They’re everyday men who just want to look good in a photo without feeling awkward. Sometimes it’s for work, sometimes dating, and sometimes it’s just because they’ve never had photos they really loved.

Whatever the reason, one thing’s true across the board: being in front of a camera can bring up all kinds of nerves, doubts, and questions especially if you’re not used to it. And over time, I’ve started to notice a few common mistakes that tend to show up during sessions. None of them are the end of the world, but they can get in the way of getting the kind of photos you’ll be proud of. So let’s talk about them.

1. Not Knowing What You Want Out of the Session

It’s easy to think, “I just want a good photo,” and leave it at that, but what's good to someone else can be completely different than what you'd imagined. What kind of “good” are we talking about? Clean and polished for your website? Casual but still professional for LinkedIn? Something bold for your personal brand or maybe just something that feels and celebrates your current season of life.

If I don’t know what you want the images to say, they probably won’t say much at all. Sure they'll look nice, I am a professional photographer after all, but they'll be missing that wow factor.

You don’t have to show up with a full shot list or anything. I’ll ask you the right questions to help shape the direction, but it’s worth giving a little thought to ahead of time. The more clarity we have going in, the more intention we can bring to everything from wardrobe to background to lighting to how I photograph you.

2. Not Taking the Wardrobe Advice or Prep Tips Seriously

This one happens more often than I’d like to admit. Guys show up with wrinkled shirts they pulled straight from the dryer or they bring clothes that don’t fit quite right or don’t really go together.

Clothes might not feel like a big deal, but what you wear sets the tone of the shoot. It’s the first thing people notice and more importantly, it affects how you feel during the session. If something’s too tight, doesn’t move well, or just doesn’t feel like you, it’ll show in the photos.

The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. I’ll help you plan your outfits, from what to bring or how to mix and match. We can go through your closet or pick some new pieces together. All you have to do is trust the process and follow the prep guide. It’s there to make your life easier and your photos better.

3. Letting Fear Take Over and Not Enjoying the Process

Being in front of a camera can feel a little vulnerable. And if that’s where you’re at, just know you’re not alone. Almost every guy I’ve worked with has said some version of, “I’m not good at this” or "I'm not photogenic" in the first 10 minutes. That's completely fine and actually expected.

But here’s the thing, if you let that fear run the show, you’re going to tense up. You’ll second-guess yourself and start shutting down before the session even gets rolling. Take a deep breath, remember why you're there, and rock that shit.

The goal is to get you to the point where you’re not even thinking about the camera, but for that to happen, you’ve got to be willing to let go a little and trust the process. I talk more about Overcoming the Fear of Being Photographed here.

4. Not Being Open to Creative Exploration During the Shoot

Look, I totally respect when someone comes in with a specific idea or inspiration. That’s actually super helpful, but sometimes people get so locked into one version of what they think the session should look like, they don’t leave any room for creativity.

Some of the best moments in a session happen between the planned shots when we’re trying something a little different, shifting the light, switching up your posture, or even throwing on an unexpected outfit. That’s where we often find the magic and the photos that make you say, “Wow, I didn’t know I could look like that.”

When you stay open to experimenting, even just a little, it gives us room to discover what really works for you. You might be surprised by how natural it starts to feel once you stop trying to get it right and just lean into the experience.

5. Booking Your Session on a Busy Day

This isn’t something you want to squeeze in between errands or after a long day of meetings. Your portrait session isn’t just a quick photo op, because we’re spending the day together. There’s intentionality behind everything we do, and rushing through it because you’ve got a dentist appointment or lunch plans right after is a recipe for stress.

Give yourself the gift of time. Block the day off, sleep in a little, eat a good breakfast, and show up ready to enjoy the shoot. When you’re not distracted or watching the clock, it shows. You carry yourself differently and you’re more present.

Final Thoughts

Look, none of these mistakes are deal-breakers. You’re not gonna ruin your shoot because you were a little nervous or forgot to iron a shirt, but when you can sidestep these common pitfalls, that’s when the magic really happens. That’s when we get the kind of photos that are worthy of printing and displaying on the walls. Read more on Why Printed Portraits Still Matter in a Digital Age.