Behind The Lens to The Front

When you're due for new photos, you plan to get in front of the camera, but as soon as the moment arrives, that familiar feeling kicks in.

Suddenly, taking yourself seriously in front of the camera feels almost impossible. No matter how much you know you should stand tall, smile confidently, or strike a perfect pose, everything changes once you see yourself through the lens. Instead of feeling composed, I find myself thinking, "Who is that person? This feels awkward. Am I really supposed to look like I know what I’m doing?"

It’s like my sense of humor and self-awareness take over, making it hard to be genuine or natural. That mixture of knowing I need to get the shot and feeling utterly silly doing it creates a strange tension—almost like I’m playing pretend in my own story. Sometimes, I just have to laugh at myself and accept that, despite all my experience behind the camera, I’ll probably never fully get comfortable being the subject. As a photographer, sometimes I feel like I’ve failed myself—like I haven’t quite mastered the art of being both the creator and the subject.

And yet, amidst all of that, here’s me—with my magic touch. Something lacy, something flowy, something me—embracing the imperfection, the authentic, and the beautifully real, like a true inner child, lost in my own world.

Maybe that’s part of the process—embracing the awkwardness, the vulnerability, and still showing up anyway. Because even if I can’t take myself entirely seriously in front of the camera, there’s beauty in that honesty, and ultimately, that’s what makes the photos authentic.

If you ever see me in a good headshot, it’s more than likely a selfie—because candid, genuine moments are my favorite kind of photos.

**Remember, the most captivating photos are the ones that reveal your true self—because in real life, our essence isn’t picture perfect; it’s perfectly imperfect.**

*"Have you ever felt awkward in front of the camera? How do you overcome the moment? I’d love to hear your tips and stories!"*

P.S. Photo credits to my sister, my personal photographer, who’s always telling me to look away from the camera or play dead because I can’t seem to pose when I’m looking at it. This is why my images always end up being candid photos of great memories—that’s why I don’t really have any "posed" images or traditional headshots.