The Six Types of People at Every Photo Session

Every photographer has worked with these people. Doesn’t matter if you photograph families, seniors, weddings, newborns, headshots, or anything else. You are going to run into every one of them eventually. And honestly, they are part of what makes the job fun.

1. The “I’m So Awkward” Person Who Absolutely Crushes It

They show up already apologizing. “I hate pictures.” “I’m awkward.” “I never know what to do with my hands.” Then you start shooting, and five minutes later they are giving you better expressions than people who have been practicing in the mirror all week.

They will still look at the back of the camera and say, “No way. Is that really me?” Yep. That is really you. You have looked like that the whole time. You just needed somebody to tell you where to stand and quit worrying about your hands.

2. The Dad Who Was Promised This Would Take Fifteen Minutes

This dad is usually easy to spot.

He is wearing the shirt somebody told him to wear. He has probably heard, “Please just be nice,” at least once before he got out of the car. And he has checked his watch before you have taken the first photo. He is not mad. He loves his people, but the game starts soon. He was just promised fifteen minutes.

Then, somewhere in the middle of the session, he starts getting into it. He is fixing collars. He is helping get the kids to laugh. He is telling the same joke he has told for the last twelve years, and it somehow works.

By the end, he is asking, “Did you get one with the dog?”

That is when you know you have won him over.

3. The Over-Prepared Parent

This parent has it all together. And you’re about to get a lesson in “well whatever

Matching outfits. Backup outfits. Snacks. Wipes. Water. A lint roller. Emergency shoes. Probably a backup shirt in the car just in case somebody spills something in the next five minutes.

And because she watched three Instagram reels about how to get better family photos, she is also ready to tell you where everybody should stand, how you should shoot it, and which camera settings you probably ought to use.

She has saved poses. She has a Pinterest board. She has a weather plan.

Honestly, she could run NASA.

She is just running this photo session instead.

The funny part is, once the kids start laughing and she sees a few good images on the back of the camera, she relaxes too. And then everybody has a better time.

4. The Toddler With a Mission

This toddler has somewhere to go and it is specifically NOT where you put them.

They do not care about your good light. They do not care about the matching outfits. They definitely do not care that Mom has been talking about this session for two weeks. They have spotted a stick, a rock, a dog, a puddle, or something else that is suddenly the most important thing in the world. And they are going after it. NOW.

You can try to reason with them. You can make noises. You can shake toys. You can ask Dad to stand behind you and dance like nobody is watching.

Sometimes it works, most of the time not so much.

Sometimes the best photo of the day is the toddler running away with a leaf in one hand and a snack in the other. That is okay. Those are usually the photos people love anyway.

5. The Quiet One Who Makes the Best Images

This person does not say much when they first get there.

They are polite. They smile a little. They may be nervous, or they may just be trying to figure out what is about to happen.

Then they relax.

Maybe it is after you give them something to do. Maybe somebody makes them laugh. Maybe they realize you are not going to make them do anything embarrassing.

And all of a sudden, they quit thinking about the camera.

Those are usually the good ones.

Not every great image has to have a huge laugh or a big dramatic moment. Sometimes it is just somebody being still and comfortable enough to be themselves.

6. The “Can We Get Just One More?” Person

The session is over.

You have said, “I think we got it.” You may have even put your lens cap on. Then somebody says it.

“Can we get just one more?” Maybe the light got good all of a sudden. Maybe Grandma showed up. Maybe somebody wants one more spot. Maybe Dad finally decided he would like a photo with the kids.

And we all know “just one more” is never just one more. But most of the time, you say yes.

Because sometimes that last little bit of the session is where the best stuff happens. Everybody is relaxed. Nobody is trying too hard. The kids are tired enough to quit running—or at least slow down a little. And that one extra photo may end up being the favorite.

That Is Why We Keep Doing This

People are funny.

Families are funny.

Photo sessions are never exactly the same, no matter how much planning goes into them.

That is part of the deal.

Our job is to help people relax, keep things moving, roll with whatever happens, and get the photos somewhere in the middle of all of it.

Even if Dad is checking his watch.

Even if the toddler is headed for the parking lot.

Even if somebody is still trying to tell you what aperture to use.