Mindset, Communication & Expectation of the photoshoot. What Really Matters at Your Portrait Shoot.

There’s a ton of talk out there about what photographers should do to make your portrait session flawless — the lighting, the posing, the gear, the editing… all that jazz.

But today, let’s flip the script a little. Let’s talk about you — the person in front of the camera. The sitter. The star. The one who brings the magic to the frame. The Mindset, Communication & Expectation of the Photoshoot what really matters.

Portrait photoshoot with Vilija Skubute photography, Manchester.

1. Because yes, I’ll handle the technical and creative parts……but a truly effortless, meaningful photoshoot? That’s a teamwork thing.

And it starts with something super simple but wildly important: clear, open communication.

Here’s the thing — sometimes I get inquiries where people want to only communicate by email, and while email is great for the basics, it’s not where the real connection happens. A portrait session isn’t just “show up and smile. ”It’s personal. It’s vulnerable. It’s about who you are and how you want to be seen.

That’s why the first step of your session is always a quick phone call or a Zoom consultation. That’s where we get to talk about you — your personality, your vision, your comfort levels, your hopes for the shoot, even the things you’re nervous about.

Those conversations are the foundation that let me create portraits that feel authentic, relaxed, and like you — not just some random pretty picture.

Women portraits from Vilija Skubute `photography in Manchester.

2. Come to your portrait session with this mindset: a photoshoot is absolutely fun… but it’s also real work. Beautiful images don’t just “happen.” They’re created — together.

Especially if it’s your first time in front of a camera, it’s totally normal to feel unsure or to think, “Umm… what do I even do with my hands? ”Everyone has been there. Truly. But here’s the thing: creating something timeless takes more than just showing up and standing still for five seconds.

A portrait session isn’t passive. It’s not “pose once and done.” It’s collaboration — me guiding, you moving, both of us exploring what brings out your best.

Portrait photography is all about the small (and sometimes weird-feeling) adjustments: your hands, your arms, your legs, your chin, your hips…how you stand, how you sit, where your weight shifts…all those little details that feel awkward in real life but make complete sense on camera.

And yes — a lot of those movements will feel a bit uncomfortable and unnatural .Not painful or extreme, just… unusual. Like, “Why am I tilting my chin like this?” or “Do people normally lean this way? ”Nope, they don’t — but the camera loves it.

That’s the behind-the-scenes truth: What feels strange often looks stunning and with a little patience, trust, and willingness to try things, you’ll start to see the transformation — your confidence growing, your body settling, your expression softening into something real and beautiful.

Portraits from Vilija Skubute Photography, Manchester.

3. Here’s the thing I can’t stress enough: photography is a form of art, but it’s also a business. Behind every beautiful image, there’s a real human being who needs to eat, pay bills, taxes, mortgages, and everything else life throws at them - like any other business. Photography is not just about pressing a button and magically getting perfect photos. Even getting clients in the first place isn’t free—it takes advertising, networking, and marketing to make a business visible. Every little piece of the puzzle costs money, time, and energy. And then there’s the time behind the camera: planning a session, directing, experimenting with lighting and poses, and then the hours of post-production where each image is carefully retouched to look its best.

A photoshoot isn’t a £5 miracle. Managing your expectations is key: how much you're investing in - is the combination of creativity, skill, experience, equipment, and time that transforms an idea into something tangible you can treasure forever.

When you understand the value of your portraits, the value of artist, the value what goes in to that "one click", then it’s easier to appreciate the work, effort, and care that goes into every single image.