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The camera isn’t the enemy — it’s a tool. But lenses, lighting, angles, and composition can change how you appear, which can distort how you perceive yourself, especially if you’ve learned you need to look a certain way to be acceptable
Is this for me?
Your body tenses the second someone says, “Group photo!”
You hide from the camera because pictures don’t feel like “you”
You fixate on what you don’t like about yourself in a photo
You’re tired of feeling awful seeing pictures of yourself
You want to stop missing out on memories
This is designed to support folks navigating body image concerns including body dysmorphia, eating disorders, gender dysphoria, complex trauma, LGBTQ+ identity, and chronic illness.
Disclaimer: this is not mental health therapy! Signing up for this service does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
What it is:
Perspective is everything — and in this session we work with both: the mechanics of the camera (light, posing, angles, composition) and the emotions and beliefs that show up when you’re being seen.
1 hour preparation meeting to clarify intentions and make a plan
2 hour photoshoot in my professional studio
1 hour integration meeting where you see your photos and get to say how you truly feel about the photos and yourself, as well as hear my view as a professional photographer and therapist
Education on what influences a quality photo- customized to meet your needs based on our plan
Photography for families, models, athletes, brides… There is a lot that goes into creating an image that feels powerful, whimsical, sexy, or quirky. I will teach you how to create the image you want and show you why you can look at a photo and feel like, “that doesn’t look like me at all…”
Education on body image influences
We get all kinds of messages about our bodies from our families, our cultures, media, the way we were treated, the way we see someone else treated… Understanding what these messages and deeply held beliefs are help you get a hold of your own voice as the narrator of your story. What we believe can dictate the way we behave.
Exposure therapy interventions
This is therapy-language that means thoughtfully taking the next step toward something you are afraid of that you don’t want to be afraid of anymore. The idea is, the only way around it is through it AND we don’t want to jump in head first into something you are not ready for, overwhelm your system, and give your anxiety a reason to say, “See? We were right! This is why you should never do XYZ.” A skilled therapist can help you navigate when/how to lean in and when/how to back off so that anxiety can shift, “Oh, okay… maybe it’s not as bad as I thought.”
Photos
Of course, photos are included! I will show you a large selection of photos as part of the educational experience, you get to choose 30 of your favorites to keep, and you’ll have the option to buy more than the included 30 photos if you’d like to
I show you images as we go. I invite your honest reactions. And we adjust in real time — so you’re not just being photographed, you’re learning how to see yourself differently.
Why work with me?
As a portrait photographer for 15 years, I know how to capture a tasteful photo that captures the essence of my subject’s personality or vibe they are trying to express. And as a clinical mental health therapist, I know how to support people who want to see themselves differently — with curiosity, consent, and real tools.
I designed this as a gentle, supportive way to face camera discomfort — because the only way to experience something better is to actually have a different experience. Over time, I noticed my view of myself change when I learned how much perception is shaped by two things: the tricks of the camera and the tricks of the brain.
Not sure yet?
If you want to talk first, book a free 15-minute consult. If you already know you’re in, you can book your session right away.
Ready?
Consult + prep (we clarify your goal and intentions + plan outfits and vibes + identify boundaries and expectations)
Private session (guided direction + gentle, collaborative pacing)
Review + deliver (you leave with images you actually like — and a new way of seeing yourself)