“I’m So Awkward in Photos”: How to Help Clients Relax (Without Faking It)
Let’s talk about humans for a second. Because yes, we’re pet photographers, but every session involves at least one awkward, nervous, slightly panicked person saying the exact same thing:
"I'm so awkward in photos."
Sound familiar?
If I had a biscuit for every time I heard that, I'd have to open my own bakery.
But here's the thing: that discomfort? It’s not a flaw. It’s completely normal. And it’s your job, as the photographer, to help them through it.
Because when your human client is relaxed, connected, and present? That’s when the real magic happens.
1. Understand the Root of the Awkwardness
We all carry a little photo baggage. Maybe it’s a bad school photo. Maybe it’s a family portrait where they blinked in every shot. Whatever the reason, many of our clients associate cameras with pressure, posing, and discomfort.
So when they show up saying they’re awkward, they’re not looking for a pep talk. They’re looking for someone to get it.
What to do:
Validate their nerves. Say: "Totally normal. I hear that all the time."
Let them know they don't have to perform. Your job is to guide, not judge.
Remind them this isn’t a fashion shoot. It’s about them and their dog, doing their thing.
2. Shift Their Focus to the Dog
This is your secret weapon.
Their dog doesn’t care if their fringe is frizzy or if they feel a bit bloated. Their dog just wants to sniff stuff and get cuddles. And when people start focusing on that energy, everything shifts.
I had a client last spring—Sarah, with her golden retriever, Murphy. She arrived tense, her smile locked in a tight little line. But then Murphy discovered a stick (as dogs do), and decided it was the BEST STICK EVER. Sarah laughed. She softened. Her hands reached down to ruffle his ears and just like that, the magic began.
Moments like that can’t be forced. But they can be encouraged.
What to do:
Ask them to interact with their dog. Even just a pat or calling their name.
Give them small prompts: "Whisper something to her," or "Tell him he's the best boy in the world."
Don’t ask for fake laughs. Look for real connection.
3. Movement is Everything
Want to know the fastest way to make someone look awkward? Ask them to stand still and smile.
Stillness equals stiffness. Stiffness equals discomfort. Discomfort equals… not great photos.
What to do:
Keep them moving. Ask them to walk with their dog. Let them wander.
Capture the in-between moments: a laugh, a lean, a look down at the pup.
Give them something to do. Fetch a ball. Offer a treat. Fix the dog’s lead. Suddenly their hands have purpose.
4. Breathe With Them
Sounds simple, but it’s powerful. When humans are nervous, they hold their breath. You can see it—tight shoulders, locked jaw, shallow chest.
Your job? Help them reset.
What to do:
Guide them gently: "Take a big breath in… and let it out."
Show them what soft looks like: smile with your whole face.
Watch what happens to the dog. They relax too. It’s wild, and it works.
5. Let Go of "Perfect"
Sometimes the session goes totally off-script. The dog runs into a puddle. The lead gets tangled. A butterfly flies by and steals the show.
These are not disasters. These are stories.
What to do:
Be ready to pivot. Don’t fight the chaos. Photograph it.
Share these moments with clients later. "This wasn’t the plan, but look at this face."
Help them reframe the day. It's not a shoot. It's time with their dog, beautifully documented.
6. Capture the Connection
The goal isn’t just "nice photos." It’s connection. Emotion. The real stuff.
Not every shot needs to be technically perfect. But if you nail the way their face lights up when their dog leans in? That’s gold.
What to look for:
A crinkled smile
An unconscious hand on a paw
Eye contact that says "you're my whole world"
These are the moments that make people cry happy tears when they see their gallery. These are the moments they'll frame.
7. Redefine What a "Good" Session Looks Like
A successful session doesn’t mean every photo is picture-perfect. It means your client walks away thinking:
"That was way easier than I expected."
"I forgot the camera was even there."
"My dog and I had the best time."
And when the photos arrive?
"Oh wow. That’s us. That’s exactly how it feels."
Final Thoughts
Helping clients feel confident in front of the camera doesn’t come from fancy gear or perfect lighting. It comes from trust. From understanding what makes people tense up and gently guiding them back to presence.
And when in doubt? Always bring treats.
You’re not just a photographer. You’re a comfort-bringer. A connection-finder. A translator of all those tiny moments that make up the big love stories between humans and their dogs.
Keep showing up. Keep noticing. Keep capturing it all.
Your clients will thank you for it.
And their dogs? Well, they’ll thank you with licks, tail wags, and occasional stick-related chaos.