The Magic of the First Few Frames: Why Authentic Headshots Start Before You Even Notice the Camera

There’s something quietly magical about the first few frames of a headshot session. Before the poses settle in, before the sitter fully realises how they’re holding themselves — something real happens. A flicker of truth. A glimpse of calm.

As a portrait photographer based in Brighton and Hove, I’ve come to love those early, almost throwaway moments. When you’re adjusting your hair, taking a breath, or laughing at how awkward it feels to be in front of the camera — that’s when your real self shows up. And those are often the most beautiful frames of all.