If you’ve ever said, “I’m awkward in photos” or “I really don’t love being in front of the camera,” you’re in very good company.

This recent branding session was with a client who felt exactly that way — and by the end of our time together, she walked away not only relaxed, but genuinely happy with her images.

Why Half-Day Branding Sessions Work So Well

Half-day branding sessions have quickly become one of my most popular offerings, especially for business owners who want their photos to feel natural and unforced.

Instead of staying in one place, we spent about three hours moving through multiple locations, walking, talking, and letting the session unfold in real time. We stopped at a few local Annapolis favorites: cruising by the mural on Fleet Street, hanging in the backyard of Old Fox Books, soaking in the beautiful light inside Groundswell, and finishing with a quick drive over to Quiet Waters Park. We experienced a mix of indoor light, full morning sun, and shaded mid-morning outdoors. The best part? No pressure, no rigid posing — just fun and real moments as they happened.

When You Stop “Performing,” Everything Changes

The beauty of a longer session is that there’s time to settle in. The camera fades into the background, movements become more natural, and expressions soften.

By the end, the images felt like her — confident, grounded, and authentic — not someone trying to figure out what to do with their hands.

Branding Photos That Actually Feel Like You

One image became a composite of her dancing with a broomstick — a little witchy, a little wild, and a perfect example of how branding photos can move beyond the literal.

You don’t have to love having your photo taken to end up loving your photos.

Sometimes, all it takes is time, movement, and an approach that allows you to simply be yourself.

Want photos that actually feel like you? Let’s make it happen — DM me to book your session!