Not a Fan of the Camera? Here’s Why Awkward People Actually Make the Best Photo Sessions (Especially with Relaxed Photography in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire)
Let’s be honest, not everyone loves having their photo taken.
If the idea of standing in front of a camera, trying to smile on command, makes you cringe a little… you’re not alone. So many of us feel awkward, stiff, or even anxious when it comes to photo sessions. (Me included!)
Relaxed Couples Photography by Marley & The Wildlings Photography
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to perform. You just need to show up and be you. That’s where relaxed, natural photography comes in, and it’s exactly what I offer here in Mansfield and across Nottinghamshire and beyond.
Why “Look at the Camera and Smile” Doesn’t Work for Everyone
You’ve probably had at least one experience where someone asked you to smile for a photo… and your whole face just froze. You tried, sure, but the result felt more like a grimace than a grin. That’s because for many of us, especially adults (and shy kids), posing can feel forced and unnatural.
The truth is, those perfectly posed, everyone-looking-at-the-camera photos? They’re not for everyone. And in my opinion, they’re not always the most meaningful either.
Natural Photography That Focuses on Connection, Not Posing
The way I work is very different, and it’s built for people who don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera.
Whether you’re a grown adult who hates the lens being on you, or a toddler who just wants to spin in circles and climb a tree, my sessions are about allowing you to simply exist, move, play, and interact in a way that feels genuine.
No pressure. No awkward poses. No “smile and say cheese.”
Instead, I focus on play, interaction, and emotion. I’ll gently guide you and your loved ones through simple, relaxed activities, things like:
Holding hands and walking together
Picking flowers or watching insects
Sharing a cuddle, a tickle, or a whispered joke
Chasing your toddler or letting them lead the way
Sitting together and soaking up the moment
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire: A Perfect Backdrop for Natural Moments
Living and working in Mansfield and the wider Nottinghamshire area, we’re lucky to have access to some truly beautiful outdoor spaces. Whether it’s a sun drenched woodland walk, a peaceful field, or your favourite local park, we can use nature as a relaxed, grounding setting that feels far from the pressure of a studio or a formal setup.
Children especially thrive in these sessions because they’re not being told to do anything. They get to explore. Play. Laugh. Be themselves. And those in-between moments. the way they wrinkle their nose, hold your hand, or throw their head back laughing? Those are the photos that matter.
Helping Awkward Adults Feel at Ease
You don’t have to know what to do. You don’t need to be “photogenic.” And you don’t need to act any differently than you usually would. The magic happens when you’re simply with your people, doing what you always do. Whether that’s hugging your child, leading them to a flower, or just sitting and holding hands.
I don’t ask for fake smiles. I don’t expect you to pose. Instead, I might gently suggest things like:
“Why don’t you show them that bug you just found?”
“Go on, give them the biggest hug you can.”
“Take their hand and wander off like you would on any other day.”
These simple, natural interactions are where your real beauty shines through, awkward giggles, soft cuddles, little kisses, forehead rests, or just leaning in close because that’s where you feel safe. That’s the photo. That’s the moment worth capturing.
You Deserve to Be in the Frame, Exactly As You Are
So many people avoid booking photoshoots because they think they’ll look weird, or they worry they won’t know what to do. But here’s what I’ve learned after years behind the lens: some of the most powerful, genuine, and beautiful photos I’ve ever taken are of people who claimed they were awkward.
Because awkward isn’t a flaw, it’s being human. And when you give yourself permission to exist just as you are, without performing, that’s when the magic really happens.
Relaxed Family Photography in the Peak District by Marley & The Wildlings Photography
If you’re in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire or further afield and you’d love a photoshoot that feels nothing like a photoshoot, I’d love to work with you. Let’s create honest, meaningful photographs that reflect who you really are—with no awkward posing, no forced smiles, just you and the people you love.