"I'm Not Photogenic" — What Happened When Davina Drove From Dallas to Kansas City for New Headshots

One of my favorite things about being a photographer is watching someone walk into the studio convinced they're not photogenic and leave wondering how they're going to choose their favorite images.

That's exactly what happened with Davina.

Davina drove all the way from Dallas to Kansas City for her personal branding and headshot session. As a counselor, she was preparing for a new website launch, but she also had a bigger goal in mind. She wants to pursue more speaking opportunities, which meant she needed images that could work across multiple platforms—from her website and social media to speaker bios, event promotions, and marketing materials.

When she first arrived, she told me something I hear all the time:

"I’m nervous and I never like my photos because I'm just not photogenic."

If you've ever thought those same things, keep reading.

How Davina Found Me

One of the best parts of this story is how it started.

Davina found me through her friend Paula, who came along for the session. Paula is a hairstylist who had discovered my work online and immediately thought Davina and I would be a great fit.

Paula told her, "You need to work with this photographer. He's awesome."

What really connected with Davina was my message that I photograph everyday people, and not professional models. I spend a lot of time talking about helping people who don't consider themselves photogenic because, honestly, most of my clients say exactly that.

And you know what? The people who tell me they're not photogenic almost always end up proving themselves wrong.

Creating a Personal Branding Session With Variety

Because Davina needed images for several different purposes, we planned multiple looks that would give her versatility.

Look One: Professional and Polished

We started with a tuxedo-inspired shirt and blazer combination accented with gold jewelry and a beautiful brooch.

This look felt confident, sophisticated, and perfect for website headshots or professional speaking engagements.

Look Two: Bold and Approachable

Next, we switched to a orange jumpsuit.

The color brought energy and personality into the session while still maintaining a polished professional appearance.

Look Three: Casual Professional

For our third look, Davina wore a white shirt paired with a black and white polka dot dress.

We layered it with a denim jacket to create a more relaxed and approachable branding image.

Look Four: Confident and Vibrant

To finish things off, we swapped the denim jacket for a hot pink jacket, creating a completely different feel in just a few seconds.

This is one of the reasons I love personal branding photography.

Small styling changes can create entirely different visual messages without needing an entirely new wardrobe!

The Secret Ingredient: Having Great Support

Throughout the session, Paula was an incredible help.

Not only did she assist with hairstyling touch-ups, but she also helped style outfits and provide encouragement throughout the photoshoot.

Having someone in your corner who believes in you can make a HUGE difference.

Photographers often become part photographer, part hype team, part confidence coach.

Having Paula there added another layer of support, and it was clear how much the friendship between these two women meant.

From Nervous to Having Fun

At the beginning of the session, Davina was understandably nervous… Most people are!

Very few clients walk into a studio feeling completely confident in front of a camera.

The first outfit helped her settle in.

By the second outfit, I could see something changing.

She started smiling more naturally.

She stopped worrying about whether she was doing everything right.

And most importantly, she started having FUN.

That's when the magic usually happens.

Music Changes Everything

One thing I love doing during sessions is finding music that helps people relax.

For Davina, we built a playlist around Jill Scott's music.

The song "Golden" became the foundation of the vibe for the entire shoot.

The music was playing.

She was laughing.

At one point she was even dancing a little.

Suddenly, the person who had walked in saying she wasn't photogenic was simply being herself.

That's always the goal.

The best photographs aren't created when you let go and just be.

The Moment Everything Changed

After the session was finished, we did something I love doing with clients.

We loaded the images onto my laptop and began selecting favorites together.

This is where reality starts replacing insecurity.

As we worked through the images, Davina kept finding more photographs she loved.

And more.

And more.

By the time we finished narrowing everything down through multiple rounds, she still had approximately 30 favorite images.

Thirty.

Think about that for a second.

This was someone who walked in convinced she wasn't photogenic.

Someone who was nervous.

Someone who didn't know what to do in front of the camera.

And now she was looking at 30 different photographs of herself that she genuinely loved.

I don’t know about you, but I’d call that a success! And may also a little boost to her self esteem too.

Why Professional Headshots Matter for Speakers and Business Owners

For entrepreneurs, counselors, coaches, consultants, and speakers, professional images aren't a “luxury.”

Your images are part of your brand.

When someone visits your website, they're forming an impression before they read a single word.

When an event organizer receives your speaker bio, your headshot helps tell your story.

When someone discovers you on social media, your images often determine whether they stop scrolling.

That's why we focused on creating a collection of images that would serve multiple purposes:

• Website headshots

• Speaker promotion materials

• Social media content

• Marketing collateral

• Podcast guest features

• Event programs

• Pop-up banners

• Professional profiles

Instead of having one good headshot, Davina now has a library of images she can use throughout her business.

The Truth About Being "Photogenic"

Here's something I've learned after photographing countless people.

Being photogenic isn't a trait you're born with.

It's the result of:

• Good lighting

• Professional posing guidance

• Genuine expressions

• A comfortable environment

• A photographer who knows how to direct you

Most people who think they aren't photogenic have simply never worked with someone who knows how to guide them through the process.

You don't need modeling experience.

You don't need to know how to pose.

You don't need to be naturally comfortable in front of a camera.

That's my job.

Your job is simply to show up.

Final Thoughts

What I'll remember most about Davina's session isn't the drive she made from Dallas.

It isn't the wardrobe changes.

It isn't even the final images.

It's watching someone go from:

"I'm not photogenic."

To:

"How am I supposed to choose between all of these?"

That's the transformation I love seeing.

Davina now has images that will support her new website, social media marketing, speaking opportunities, and future business growth.

More importantly, she has proof that the story she'd been telling herself about not being photogenic simply wasn't true.

And that’s my favorite outcome every single time.

If you've been putting off updating your headshots because you don't think you're photogenic, I want you to know something:

Almost every client who walks into my studio says the exact same thing.

And almost every one of them leaves surprised by what they're capable of.

You might be next.