One of the things I've learned over the years is that confidence is often more situational than we realise.

I regularly photograph CEOs, comedians, team leaders and business owners. These are people who stand on stages, lead meetings and present ideas with apparent ease. From the outside, they look completely confident.

Yet, when it's time to have their photograph taken, many of them tell me exactly the same thing.

"I hate having my photo taken."

"I never know what to do with my hands."

"I'm not photogenic."

The nerves appear.

The truth is that being confident in one area of life doesn't automatically mean feeling confident in another. You can deliver a keynote speech to hundreds of people and still feel vulnerable when a camera is pointed in your direction.

I see it all the time.

Having photographed nervous wedding couples for many years, I learned very quickly that the camera itself isn't usually the problem. It's the fear of being judged, looking awkward, or not recognising yourself in the final images.

That's why so much of my job isn't about cameras, lenses or lighting.

It's about people.

It's about conversation, reassurance and helping someone settle into the experience. It's creating an environment where they can stop worrying about how they look and simply be themselves.

Because when that happens, something changes.

The forced smile disappears.

The tension eases.

The person their family, friends, colleagues and clients know begins to shine through.

I often say that your portrait gives your potential clients a handshake before you've ever met them.

Before someone reads your testimonials, picks up the phone or walks through your door, they've already formed an impression from your photograph. Does it feel approachable? Authentic? Trustworthy? Does it reflect the confidence and warmth you naturally bring to your work?

The best portraits aren't about making you look like somebody else.

They're about helping you recognise the best version of yourself.

So if you've been putting off updating your photographs because you don't feel photogenic, you're in very good company. Some of the most successful and outwardly confident people I've photographed have felt exactly the same way.

And that's perfectly normal.

If you'd like portraits that capture the real you, and help you show up with confidence before you've even said hello, I'd love to help.

Ray