How to Look Natual In Your Wedding Photos (yes, even if you’re camera shy!)
This is a blog post I have been wanting to do for a while, because it’s a topic I personally hear about A TON from couples! You have so much you are focused on and worrying about when your wedding day finally rolls around, the LAST thing you want to stress about is how to look good in your photos! If you’re worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera on your wedding day - YOU’RE NOT ALONE!!! Most of my couples tell me they’re not “photo people” or they don’t know how to pose. The truth is, you don’t need to know how to pose at all - that’s my job!
My approach when photographing couples on their wedding day is all about helping you feel relaxed, present in the moment, and focused on what really matters - EACH OTHER! Here are a couple of key things to note down to help ease your wedding day photo nerves.
You don’t have to perform for the camera! Your wedding day is filled with real, emotional, in-between moments - those are the ones that make the most beautiful photos! I won’t ask you to hold a smile for 5 minutes straight or pose you the entire time. Instead, I’ll guide you with gentle prompts that feel natural and allow your personality and connection with each other shine through! Here are 2 of my favorite “to date” un-posed images that got taken on an in-between moment on a wedding day that captured so much emotion and turned out to be a gallery favorites!
2. I’ll give you direction - but keep it effortless! Think of this as soft guidance rather than rigid, stiff posing! I might ask you to do things like:
Walk slowly together while smiling at each other embracing the fact it’s your wedding day
Wrap your arms around each other and sway a little like you’re slow dancing.
Rest your foreheads together with your eyes closed for a second and take a deep breath and soak in this moment together.
These prompts aren’t about the “perfect pose” - they’re about creating genuine reactions ad capturing how the moment felt, while giving you time to breathe and the opportunity to relax for a few minutes after the majority of the wedding day rush has subsided.
3. Focus on each other, not the camera. When I’m photographing you, I want you to focus on your partner - not me! You can hug, laugh, cry, kiss, dance - whatever feels right in the moment! Those are the images you’ll treasure the most. And if you’re ever unsure of what to do in a moment, what to do with your hands, or where to look, DONT WORRY - I’ll be there to guide you every step of the way!
4. Build in breathing room in your timeline! Rushed couples more often than not feel tense in photos, and it shows! That’s why I love working with you (and/or) a planner ahead of time to create a timeline that gives space for portraits without stress. You deserve to be present - not just pose. Even just 10-15 minutes of calm, private portrait time after the ceremony can create some of the most intimate, real images of the day!
5. Trust the process (and me!) You’ve hired a photographer because you want your memories captured beautifully - let me take care of the rest. My goal is to make you feel at ease, give you space when you need it, and be a calming, supportive presence throughout the day!
The result of all of this? Photos that feel like YOU! You don’t need to know how to pose, and you don’t need to fake a single thing. When you’re truly present - wrapped up in the joy, emotion, and love - that’s when the magic happens!
Thanks for reading,
XOXO, Sam