One of the most common things I hear before a portrait session even begins is this:
“You’ll have to show me exactly what to do. I have no idea how to pose.”
Almost every client says some version of it. Many people arrive wondering how to pose for a photoshoot, and they are usually relieved when I tell them that not knowing what to do is exactly how the process is meant to begin. You do not need to arrive knowing how to pose. You do not need to practice in front of the mirror. And you certainly do not need to perform. Being guided in front of the camera is a collaborative process that unfolds slowly, naturally, and often with quite a bit of laughter along the way.
The first moments in front of the camera
When the session begins, we rarely start with dramatic poses or complicated setups. Most of the time we begin sitting down. Sometimes at a table, sometimes on a stool. Sitting allows the body to relax, and it gives us a natural starting point.
At first there is usually a little nervous energy in the room. That is completely expected. Many people laugh a bit when they feel unsure of what to do, and that nervous laughter often becomes the first step toward feeling comfortable.
We talk while we photograph. The conversation flows naturally, and the camera quietly becomes part of the environment rather than the center of attention.
What happens when you don’t know what to do
One of the first things I often do is simply let the client sit or stand without giving much direction. It may sound counterintuitive, but this moment can reveal something beautiful. When people are not trying to perform, small gestures or expressions sometimes appear naturally.
A tilt of the head.
A thoughtful look.
A way of holding the hands.
If I see a glimpse of something that feels authentic, we begin building from there. This is where the guidance starts.
Mirroring and gentle adjustments
A large part of my guiding process involves mirroring. Instead of explaining a pose with complicated instructions, I often demonstrate it with my own body and the client simply mirrors what I do. For anyone wondering how to pose for a photoshoot, this approach makes the process feel intuitive rather than technical.
Sometimes I will adjust a hand or move a shoulder slightly so the posture feels more balanced. Small adjustments to the chin or the direction of the gaze can transform the entire feeling of a portrait. Once we have found a base pose that feels good, the guidance becomes more subtle. A small shift of weight. A slightly different angle. A softer expression. These tiny refinements are what create portraits that feel both natural and powerful.
When movement
enters the frame
After a few poses, we often begin adding movement. By this point the initial nervousness has usually started to fade. The client has seen a few photographs on the back of the camera and begins to trust the process.
Movement might come from a sweeping dress, a piece of flowing fabric, or simply turning slowly toward the light. Sometimes a fan lifts the hair just enough to create energy in the image. What once felt intimidating suddenly feels exciting.
Many clients describe this moment as the point where they begin to feel surprisingly confident. There is something undeniably powerful about seeing movement, fabric, and expression come together in a photograph.
The moment people
start to relax
There is usually a moment in every session where something shifts. It often happens near the end of the first outfit or while changing into the second. By then we have laughed together at least once, and the client has seen a few images on the back of the camera. Not many, just enough to give a glimpse of what we are creating. That is when I often hear something like:
“What? Is that really me?”
Or
“This feels strange while we’re doing it, but when I see the photos I feel so good about them.”
Little by little, the uncertainty begins to disappear.
Conversations that go deeper
Portrait sessions are rarely only about photographs. During the hours we spend together the conversation often moves beyond the surface. We might begin by talking lightly about clothing or the music playing in the studio. But sometimes deeper topics appear naturally. Life transitions, confidence, motherhood, loss, new beginnings. Occasionally there are tears. More often they are happy tears.
By the time the session ends, the energy in the room has completely changed. What began with nervous laughter often ends with genuine smiles, sometimes even hugs. After four or five hours spent creating something together, the connection feels real.
When everything
suddenly clicks
There is a moment I always look for. It is subtle but unmistakable. The eyes change. The expression becomes alive. The posture and the emotion align in a way that translates effortlessly into the photographs. It feels as if a small light turns on.
When that happens, the portraits become something more than a series of poses. They begin to reveal the person in front of the camera in a way that feels honest and powerful.
Later, when I show a few of these images on the back of the camera, I can often see something new appear in the client’s eyes as well. They begin to believe. Not just that the photos look beautiful, but that the experience was truly for them.
You don’t have to know
how to pose
The most important thing to understand is this. You do not need to arrive knowing how to pose. Many people spend time worrying about how to pose for a photoshoot, but the experience is designed so you can simply step into the studio and allow yourself to be guided. From the first moment of nervous laughter to the final portraits, the process unfolds naturally and at your own pace.
If you are curious about what to wear for your session, I wrote a guide about styling and wardrobe that you can read here. Everything else we discover together.
A portrait experience in Sollentuna
Portrait sessions take place in my private studio in Sollentuna just outside Stockholm. Each session includes professional hair and makeup, wardrobe guidance, and a fully guided photography experience designed to help you feel comfortable in front of the camera.
If you have ever wondered what it might feel like
to step in front of the camera in this way,
you are warmly welcome to begin the conversation.
Hur känns det egentligen att bli guidad framför kameran?
Kort sammanfattning på svenska
De flesta som kommer till studion i Sollentuna säger samma sak i början. “Du måste visa exakt vad jag ska göra, jag har ingen aning.” Du är inte ensam. Att inte veta hur man ska posera är precis där processen börjar.
Vi startar oftast enkelt, sittande vid ett bord eller på en stol. Medan samtalet får ta plats och kameran sakta blir en naturlig del av rummet. Det första skrattet är ibland lite nervöst. Men efter en stund märker man hur det förändras. Jag guidar hela tiden. Ibland genom att visa en rörelse som du speglar. Ibland genom små justeringar av en hand, en axel eller en blick. Det är sällan stora förändringar som behövs. Ofta räcker det med något väldigt litet.
Efter en stund börjar vi också lägga till rörelse. En klänning som sveper genom bilden, ett tyg som fångar ljuset, lite vind i håret. Det som först kändes ovant brukar då istället kännas oväntat kraftfullt.
Och nästan varje session har ett ögonblick där något bara faller på plats. Blicken förändras, kroppen slappnar av och plötsligt syns det tydligt i bilderna.
Porträttfotograferingen sker i min studio i Sollentuna utanför Stockholm och jag guidar dig genom hela upplevelsen, från första posen till sista bilden.
Nyfiken på hur en porträttfotografering hos mig skulle kunna kännas?
Varje fotosession börjar med en kostnadsfri konsultation.
Boka din konsultation här
the magazine
February 2, 2026
