how to prep for a candid photoshoot without losing your mind

How to Prep for a Candid Photoshoot (Without Overthinking It)

Spoiler alert: it's less about posing and more about feeling.

If you’re here, you’re probably someone who wants the real stuff. the messy, magic, belly-laugh kind of photos. The kind you can feel. So let's talk about how to actually prep for that… (click here for a full article about my personal tips on choosing a location, what to wear, how to be you, or what to bring to your session)

1. Let the Awkward Happen. It’s gonna feel weird at first. That’s normal. Let it. Shake it off. I promise, the realness lives just past the awkward. Embrace it, laugh at it, talk through it. create some artful memories!

2. Ditch the Pinterest Board. Let go of the pressure to recreate someone else's love story. You’re not a mood board, you're real. Let’s trade the curated inspo for raw connection and the kind of laughter that snorts a little. Trust me, your story deserves its own frame. you can use inspiration as inspiration, but my advice? nothing more.

3. Plan a Loose Vibe, Not a Script. Instead of planning every moment, think about a vibe. Wanna make pancakes together? Go for a hike? Hang in your backyard with your furry four legged friends and some beer? Perfect. The more natural the setting, the more honest the photos.

4. Life happens. You spill coffee on your shirt. You forget your socks. You get stuck in traffic. Embrace the hiccups. They're little plot twists that often lead to the best kind of candids.

5. You don’t have to Rehearse anything. No fake laughs, no mirror poses, no reciting lines like a rom-com audition. Just be. Move like you normally do. Whisper secrets. Swear a little. Smile when it feels right. if you ABSOLUTELY need to practice your posing (for peace of mind), do it gently but don’t rely on it.

6. Ignore the camera (Sort Of). The best photos come when you forget about even getting your photos taken. you can occasionally look at the camera, but just don’t stare at it. your photographer should will tell ya.

7. Let the Silence Breathe. you don’t need to fill every moment with chatter. Sometimes the best shots are the ones where nothing is happening. just a breath, a look, a pause. That’s where the tenderness lives.

8. Hydrate and Snack Beforehand. it’s Not glamorous, but it’s real. cranky, thirsty people don’t vibe on camera. Eat a little something, hydrate, maybe bring a fave drink to sip during the shoot.

9. Don’t Bring an Entourage. Unless your dog is your soulmate (valid), keep the crew small. Extra friends/family = extra eyes = extra self-consciousness. This is your moment, not a group hang.

10. Let Go of the Timeline. This isn't a performance — it's an experience. We’ll take our time. If the light is still good and the vibes are better, we might shoot a little longer. Candid doesn’t punch a clock.

Bonus (personal) tip: Trust the Photographer (Hi 👋)

You’re not responsible for “making” good photos happen. That’s my job. Your job? Show up, feel the moment, and let the magic unfold.

Real moments > perfect pictures. Always. So bring yourself! and I’ll bring the camera.

make something worth remembering.