It’s Not Just About the Photos—It’s About How You Feel

During a lot of my recent cap & gown sessions, I’ve been hearing the same kind of feedback:

“Thanks for making me feel comfortable. That was actually fun.”

Or—

“I usually hate getting my photo taken, but today didn’t feel awkward at all.”

Every time someone says that, it sticks with me—because that’s the part of my work I care about most. Sure, I want you to love your photos. But I also want you to walk away feeling like the session was easy, natural, and maybe even enjoyable (even if photos aren’t usually your thing).

And honestly? The way I help make that happen is pretty simple:
I keep the conversation going.

That’s it. Nothing fancy. Just real, normal, human interaction.

I ask questions, crack dumb jokes, and let the session unfold without too much pressure. Most of the time, people don’t even realize they’re being photographed. That’s when the best images happen—when you’re not overthinking your pose or worrying if you’re doing something “wrong.” You’re just being yourself, and I’m capturing that.

The shift for me came when I stopped stressing about getting the “perfect shot” and started focusing on creating a better experience. Once I did that, the photos got better, too—more honest, more relaxed, more you.

Whether we’re together for 15 minutes or two hours, my goal stays the same: make you feel at ease, keep things moving, and make sure you leave the session thinking, “Huh, that wasn’t bad at all.”

Because if you feel good in the moment, you’re way more likely to love the final images. And to me, that’s what actually matters.