Client Lounge → Mental prep
mental prep
Whatever you are feeling right now is normal. All of it.
Here are the six stages most clients go through before their session, five tools to help you prepare mentally, and a set of affirmations to practice until they feel true. You are not alone in this.
The Journey to your Session
6 Stages Most Clients Go Through
Self-Doubt
"I'd Love to Do That Someday, But I could Never."
This is probably where most people are right now. You are curious, maybe even interested, but something is holding you back. Maybe you have seen one of my posts, heard about someone else's session, or read a glowing review. Maybe a friend has raved about their experience.
But when you picture yourself doing a session, your mind freezes. There is no way I could pull that off. That is totally normal.
I get it. I have been there too. That little voice saying "I could never look like that" or "That's not for me" — it is just one of the mental hurdles many people go through on this journey. But here is the truth: if you can push past the self-doubt and step into the next stage, you will find an experience that is empowering, transformative, and completely worth it.
For some, the hesitation is about money. Let us be honest — money can feel like a taboo subject, but it does not have to be. Everyone has a budget and decides where to place their value. I know it is not always easy to put that value on yourself. That is why I have created several payment options to make this experience more accessible. If this is something you genuinely want to experience, reach out and we will find a way to make it happen.
You are worth it.
Burst of Spontaneity
"IF SHE CAN DO IT, SO CAN I."
This is the moment you finally let go of the self-doubt and take the leap.
Maybe a friend convinced you to go for it. Maybe your partner encouraged you, or something I shared hit just the right nerve at the right time. Whatever it was, it gave you that spark of courage to say: I am doing this.
Your heart is racing, your palms are sweaty, but you are excited. You are ready. You have got this. Hold onto that feeling of exhilaration — it is going to carry you through the rest of this journey. This burst of bravery is just the start of something unforgettable.
Rethinking
"What did I just get myself into?"
Maybe your excitement lasted a week, maybe it lasted an hour. Either way, you are probably freaking out. You are frantic, searching for a way out. Is there a cancel button? Should I reschedule? Whatever I need to do to get out of this, I am trying because there is no way I can do this.
Again, you are not alone. You would not believe all the "I am not sure I can do this" messages I get. Trust me — you can do it. You will do it. Just reach out and let me know how you are feeling anytime. I am used to it. And I will respond and share positive support to get you back to your why.
Preparation
"I can and will do this."
You have made it. This is the stage where you have accepted that you are going through with it, and you have decided there is no turning back. It is now or never — and you are READY.
Use this time to dive into the client lounge and prep guides. They are packed with helpful tips and answers to all those questions running through your mind, like "Should I get my nails done? What should I wear?" The guides will walk you through what to expect, giving you all the tools you need to feel truly prepared.
Still have questions? Feeling unsure about something? Reach out anytime. I am here to help with anything you need. We have got this.
Nerves Return
"I'm so nervous, what was i thinking?"
Yep, hate to break it to you — but those nerves are probably going to make a comeback the day before or the day of your session. This is completely normal. Most of my clients tell me they had trouble sleeping the night before or felt a little jittery on the drive to the studio. But here is the good news — 100% of them say those nerves disappear once we get going.
We will kick things off with hair and makeup, chatting like old friends, laughing, and catching up on life. It is a relaxed and fun hour where you can unwind, connect, and get into the groove.
Next, we will chat about the pieces you brought or those you picked from the wardrobe. These will make you look and feel incredible. Even if they seem a little intimidating at first, trust me — I have got your back. I will never let you wear something that does not make you feel confident. And once we start shooting and you see those sneak peeks on the back of the camera, you will see what I see — that you look absolutely amazing. No edits, straight out of the camera.
Seriously, it is an honor for me to capture these moments for you. Get ready to blow your own mind.
Confidence
"i've found me again."
I know it sounds cliche, but it is true — you are going to feel like a brand-new person after your session. Better yet, you will feel like the most confident version of yourself.
One of my favorite parts of this job — the reason I love it so much — is watching you see yourself in a completely new light. I have sat and cried with clients, gotten vulnerable with them, and witnessed so many beautiful transformations. It is incredible to see someone truly embrace their body and let go of the insecurities that have held them back.
When you walk into my studio, I want you to feel safe, comfortable, and free to be yourself. This is your space — not just how you see your body, but how you see yourself. Even if it is just for a little while, I want you to feel empowered, beautiful, and unapologetically yourself. I know firsthand how powerful that feeling can be, and my mission is to help as many people as possible experience it.
The emotions after your session may surprise you — they will be all over the place, and that is okay. None of us feels amazing about ourselves every single day. But my hope is that the confidence you gain from this experience will stick with you. On the tough days, look at those photos, remember the journey you took to get there, and be proud of yourself.
It is your turn now. You have got this. And I cannot wait to help you see what I see.
practical tools
5 Tips for Mental Prep and Confidence Building
01
positive affirmations
Repeat these daily. Say them out loud. Start with "I am" statements and say them until they go from something you are convincing yourself of to something you actually believe.
"I am beautiful and I deserve to feel good about myself."
"I am worthy of love and acceptance just as I am."
"My body is a canvas of strength, beauty, and resilience."
02
Self-reflection
Celebrate your strengths and unique qualities. Take a moment to identify and acknowledge what makes you who you are. Recognize the positive impact you have on the people around you. Your worth is not tied to how you look — it is who you are.
03
breathing exercises
Practice square breathing to calm nerves and reduce anxiety. Inhale slowly for a count of 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. Repeat, gradually extending the counts as you become more comfortable. We do this in the studio too — you will not be doing it alone.
04
embrace your imperfections
Perfection is not the goal — and it never was. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer to a friend. Everyone has imperfections and they do not define your worth. When self-critical thoughts come up, counteract them with compassion. You are deserving of love and acceptance exactly as you are.
05
focus on the experience, not the end result
Before the shoot, take some time to set positive intentions. Instead of focusing only on the photos, think about the emotions and experiences you want to have during the session. This might include feeling empowered, confident, or expressing your true self. By setting intentions, you shift the focus from the outcome to the journey.
Say them out loud
Positive Affirmations for Your Session
Say each of these out loud. Start with "I am" — and practice until it goes from something you are convincing yourself of to something you actually believe.
brave
I have decided to put myself first. To show myself that I can do this. To prove all of my negative inner dialogue wrong. I will show up and be unapologetically myself and walk outside of my comfort zone. I am a force to be reckoned with.
i am brave
beautiful
Even with all of my self-proclaimed flaws. I am redefining what society deems beautiful and breaking the mold. My body is deserving of documentation. I speak kindness when talking about myself and my body as I would a friend.
i am beautiful
worthy
No matter what people in the past may have told me. I deserve to be celebrated and my body does as well. I give myself permission to be pampered and get exactly what I want from this experience — physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. I am so proud of me.
i am worthy
confident
I know what makes me special and I am here to showcase that. I love my body and how it has supported me. I do not need anyone's approval but my own and I give it to myself every day. These photos serve as a reminder of how powerful I am.
i am confident
ready
To see myself in a new light. To be open to new opportunities and new perspectives. I am ready to love myself fully for exactly who I am. I am ready to accept myself and everything that makes me, me.
i am ready
doing this
I know that I will have gorgeous images because I am a gorgeous human. I chose this for me. I showed up for me. And I am going to walk out of that studio knowing it.
i am doing this
Need an extra boost? Download the full Positive Affirmations Guide — it includes daily prompts to help give you the internal pep talk you need as you lead up to your session.
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