5 Tips for Looking Natural in Photos (Even if You're Camera-Shy)
Because awkward is a vibe—but we’re not letting it show up to your shoot.
Let’s be real: most people feel at least a little weird in front of the camera. You start thinking about your hands, your smile, your posture—do you suddenly not know how to stand like a human anymore?
If this sounds familiar, I promise you're not alone—and you are exactly the kind of person I love working with.
Here are my top 5 go-to tips to help you feel confident, relaxed, and 100% like yourself during your session—even if the thought of being photographed makes you want to hide under a blanket.
💡 First, Let’s Talk About My Approach
I never expect you to show up and know what to do. (That's my job.)
Instead of stiff, staged poses, I use action-based prompts that help bring out real expressions and authentic energy. Think movement, laughter, and playful moments over perfectly placed limbs. Because a photo that actually looks like you is always better than one where you’re trying to be someone else.
And if we ever hit a weird pose? We shake it off—literally. I’ll throw on a new song, we’ll do a quick reset, and get right back into the vibe.
📸 5 Tips for Looking Natural in Front of the Camera
1. Don’t Pose—Do Something
Movement is magic. I’ll prompt you to walk, spin, sway, or fake laugh at your partner (it works every time). These actions bring out your natural rhythm, and the candid moments in between are gold.
Try this: Walk toward me like you just found out a spicy secret and can’t wait to spill it.
2. Bring Your Comfort Crew
Want to feel instantly more at ease? Bring someone you trust—a best friend, your partner, your mom. Whether they're hyping you up off-camera or jumping into a few photos, having your people close helps you feel like yourself.
3. Dress Like You
The best outfits are the ones that make you feel confident and comfy. You don’t have to wear what you think you should—you should wear what makes you feel awesome. Movement-friendly clothes with layers or texture always photograph beautifully (bonus: they add visual interest without trying too hard).
4. Embrace the Goofy Moments
Real talk: some of the best shots come when you’re being a little weird. Making faces, laughing too hard, doing that dumb thing your friend said not to—it’s all fair game. I encourage those moments. Because your personality deserves to be in the frame, too.
5. Let the Music Lead the Mood
I bring a speaker to every session and let you pick the playlist. Music is the fastest way to help people loosen up and feel like themselves. Whether you’re vibing to Beyoncé or Bon Iver, I want you to feel like you’re just dancing it out in good lighting.
🎯 Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a model. You don’t need to know your angles. You don’t even need to feel fully confident before we start. All you need is to show up—and I’ll take care of the rest.
Together, we’ll create images that feel honest, relaxed, and so completely you.
Embrace the real emotions you feel.
What It’s Like to Work with Me: From First Email to Final Gallery
(And why I might just be your new favorite third wheel)
There’s nothing worse than feeling awkward in front of the camera—especially when you're trusting someone to capture something important to you. That’s why my entire process—from the first “hey!” to your final gallery—is designed to feel like you're hanging out with a friend (who just happens to be really good at taking photos).
Whether you're planning a wedding, booking senior photos, or want to document your family in this moment of life, here’s exactly what it's like to work with me from start to finish.
📩 Step One: First Contact (Sliding into My Inbox or DMs)
Most clients first reach out through my website inquiry form or by DMing me on Instagram—and honestly, both are great! I tailor my response based on how you reach out.
Website inquiries usually come from wedding clients, so I reply with a friendly-but-professional email and include my pricing packet.
DMs get a more casual, warm response—like how I’d text a friend who just asked me to grab coffee.
No matter how you reach out, my goal is always to make you feel like we’ve known each other forever (because we definitely would’ve been friends outside of photography).
💬 Step Two: Making Sure We’re a Good Fit
Before we officially book, I offer a free consultation call and a client guide to help you get a feel for my style, personality, and what I offer. I genuinely want to make sure we're vibing—I’m not just here to show up and take photos, I’m here to celebrate with you, laugh with you, and hype you up through the whole experience.
🗓️ Step Three: Booking the Session
Once you’re ready to make things official, I’ll send over a contract and invoice to lock in your date. From there:
Portrait clients get a location + wardrobe guide
Wedding clients get custom timeline help, location ideas, and planning support
Everyone gets me in their corner to answer questions and make the process feel effortless
📸 Step Four: Shoot Day (Where the Magic Happens)
Shoot day is all about showing up as you—and I’ll show up as whatever you need:
Need a laid-back, calm presence? That’s me.
Want a full-blown hype squad and pose coach? Also me.
Want someone to mirror the awkward pose so you don’t feel weird? Oh yeah, I do that too.
I always bring a speaker and play music you love to help you loosen up. I’ll demonstrate the poses myself (often dramatically) so nothing feels stiff or forced. We're here to make memories, not create stress.
🖼️ Step Five: The Gallery Drop
Here’s the post-session timeline:
Portrait sessions: 2–3 weeks
Weddings: 7–10 weeks
I deliver everything through a beautiful, easy-to-use online gallery with full access to download and share your images however you'd like.
The best part? Watching your reactions when the photos drop—whether you reply with heart emojis, post them immediately, or send me a full paragraph about how much you love them (please do this, it makes my whole week).
💛 The Personal Touch
While I don’t always do anything big or flashy, I do love adding personal touches—whether it’s remembering your favorite music, sending a thoughtful check-in before the wedding, or hyping you up long after your session is over. If there's one thing you should know about working with me, it’s that you’re never just a client.
You're part of the Kellio fam now.
🎯 Want to Book a Session?
Whether you're planning your wedding, updating family photos, or just want to feel like a model for a day—let’s make it happen. [Contact me here!] and let’s start dreaming something up together.
Prom Night, But Make It Moody: A True-to-Color Take on Teen Style
Prom is one of those milestone moments you never forget—so why settle for forgettable photos? This session was all about capturing the bold fashion, the nerves, the excitement, and the real personalities behind the perfectly chosen outfits. As a Buffalo-based photographer who thrives on moody lighting and true-to-color editing, prom night is honestly a dream to shoot. Because honestly? It’s like senior portraits + editorial fashion shoot + celebration all rolled into one.
The Vibe:
Editorial Meets Real Life
Forget the stiff poses and fake smiles. This group brought their A-game and their real personalities. We shot during golden hour to catch that dreamy light, but kept things bold with contrast and natural shadows that make their style pop. I wanted their confidence and chemistry to shine through—whether it was solo portraits, best friend shots, or group glamour.
Why Prom Sessions Matter (More Than You Think)
Prom photos aren't just about dresses and tuxes. They’re about capturing one of the first “grown-up” nights where teens really feel like themselves. It’s the excitement of getting ready, the friendships that got them there, and the energy of a night they’ll be talking about for years. These aren’t just pretty pictures—they’re time capsules.
What to Expect from a Kellio Prom Session
Candid + styled poses that feel natural
True-to-color edits that stay timeless
A mix of solo shots, pairings, and group fun
Direction that brings out confidence (no stiff awkwardness here!)
Quick turnaround so they can relive the night while it’s still fresh
A Note to Parents
I know this night is big for you, too. Booking a prom session gives you the peace of mind that you’ll have professional, keepsake-quality photos of your teen looking confident and glowing. Plus, let’s be real—you deserve a good print for the fridge.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're going all out for prom or keeping it low-key, you deserve to remember it your way. These images are about more than outfits—they're about capturing who you are, right now. And honestly? That’s kind of the coolest part of the job.
➡️ Interested in booking your own prom, senior, or milestone session? [Contact me here!]
➡️ Want more inspo? Follow me on [Pinterest] or [Instagram] for my latest work + behind the scenes.
The Rebrand is Here – And It’s So Me
After months of second-guessing fonts, obsessing over the perfect emerald green, and reworking every pixel, the rebrand is finally live-and it actually feels like me.
The new Kellio Photography is bold, true-to-color, and just the right mix of moody and heartfelt.
Basically, it’s the brand version of me crying during vows and laughing through your shoot.
Why the Change?
Because I’ve grown. My work has evolved. And honestly? My old branding didn’t hit anymore.
I needed something more intentional-something that matched the kind of photography I love doing:
- Raw, emotional portraits
- Honest, joyful love stories
- Brands that want personality, not stock-photo vibes
What’s New
- A bold new logo (with a leafy nod to my plant addiction)
- A website that doesn’t bore me to tears
- Clearer offers that reflect the kind of work I love to do
What’s Still the Same?
Me.
Still the Buffalo-based photographer who hypes you up, fixes your flyaways, and probably tears up
behind the camera at least once.
Still here for the real, the raw, the beautifully imperfect.
Ready to See It?
- Let’s make magic - book your session
Thanks for being here. I mean it.
Love always,
- Chelsea
Downtown Kansas City Engagement
Cozy engagement photos at the Nelson and in Country Club Plaza.
Hey there! I just had the most amazing engagement session in downtown Kansas City and I couldn't wait to tell you all about it. We started off at the Nelson Atkins Museum, which provided the perfect backdrop with its stunning architecture and beautiful greenery. The couple looked so in love and natural in front of the camera, it made my job easy! From there, we headed over to Country Club Plaza, where the bustling streets and twinkling lights created a cozy, romantic atmosphere. I love capturing moments that are full of color and life, and this session was no exception. The photos turned out timeless and intentionally candid, truly showcasing the love between the couple. I can't wait to share more from this session soon!
