I was privileged to have Bethany for her first professional portrait session! We captured her out in our Arizona unique landscape before she moved back southeast to the ATL. 

Whether it's your first portrait session or your tenth, all of us can feel self conscious or on-the-spot when we're in front of a camera! Unless you're a model, or 110% committed to a selfie-strong instagram feed, it can also be awkward posing for the camera in public spaces while strangers mosey around you. Who can relate? Yes, me!

When I first started shooting portraits, I remember sensing the awkwardness of my subjects, and struggling to keep talking to make them feel more comfortable while I worried about changing my camera settings etc. Later, I learned-I don't need to rush just because my subject is feeling out-of-place. Instead, I embrace the awkwardness that myself and my subjects can feel! I accept and call it out!

I've learned - everything will work out! I can slow down, take a breath, and let myself think. I can just be me, do my job to take great photographs and reassure my client when needed. A little empathy and reliability goes a long way. More often than not, clients will settle into the process and end up saying they had FUN by the end. It ends up being a  win-win!

Anyway, I enjoyed this shoot immensely! We listened to a little Bieber Christmas; tripped over rocks, (no one was seriously injured in the making of these images - thankfully ;-); talked about life; and took some awesome photographs. 

Thanks for choosing me, Bethany. You are stunning! xo - Anna