February 27, 2023

Tips for amazing wedding photos – Feel confident and comfortable

A couple walk through long grass, the bride brushing her hand through the grass as she walks with festoon lighting in the background

Feel confident in front of the camera with my 6 tips for amazing wedding photos

Are you nervous about your wedding photos? Unsure what to expect on the day? I have curated 6 top-tips for amazing wedding photos, which will get you feeling confident and damn right amazing in front of the camera. NO awkward poses or cringe worthy forced smiles.

I have been shooting weddings for a long time, ten years to be precise, and what I have learnt during that time is that anyone can look amazing in a photograph, with the right guidance. 90% of my couples say they dislike having their photo taken. This is why I am sharing my go-to tips with you all, so on your wedding day you can feel ready and excited to capture beautiful moments with your love.

Let's get started...

Be yourself

Throw all your preconceived ideas about wedding photos out the window. As a professional photographer, I know that the best photos are the authentic ones. So bring all of YOU into the shoot. Not sure what I mean? Let me explain...

Bring your personality

When I whisk you away for some beautiful couple portraits, I want you to come as you are. Act how you would usually act, whether you take the p*ss out of each other or you’re super affectionate, I want you to interact with each other just like you would any other day. Please don’t feel the need to put on an act for me or the camera. I want your photos to be a true representation of YOU and your love.

You may think I need you to act a certain way or pose a certain way, but the truth is, I don’t! I need you to be exactly who you are. Let that wonderful personality shine through and you will thank me when you receive your wedding photos. I will of course give you some direction, but it will be relaxed, pressure-free and fun.

Don't look at the camera

I know it’s easier said than done, but you don’t have to look directly into the camera. Long gone are the days of standing perfectly still for the camera, with forced smiles and awkward postures - It’s about capturing the joy and freezing it in a single frame.

Look at each other, talk, connect, cuddle each other and just have fun - It’s so much easier to forget I’m there if you don’t look straight at me, and be in the moment with your partner. That doesn’t mean I want to see the back of your head, so avoid turning away from me completely. As lovely as I’m sure it is, it would defeat the object of your wedding photos. I will work my magic capturing lots of beautiful angles and firing lots of natural and fun directions at you so that we can get the absolute best wedding photos.

Don't be afraid to move

Movement is most definitely encouraged. Standing still can feel awkward and forced, so take a walk, give each other a big squeeze or plant a cheeky kiss on your OH cheek. The more you move, the more photo opportunities I have, which equals more amazing photos.

Tip
Why not try your first dance! It’s a great opportunity to squeeze in practise for later and also get some gorgeous images. I can always put on some music for you as well. This is always a sure fire way to get some fun, giggly photographs.

Connection

I always like my couples to be connected during their portrait session. By connected, I mean, hold hands, embrace, cuddle, kiss, tickle etc. Whatever floats your boat. All those joyful, beautiful shots you are definitely going to want from your portrait session will only come if you are connected in some way. Standing apart from one another may be nice in one or two photos, but that small gap can become a chasm on camera in a matter of moments.

Your wedding photos are a portrayal of your personality and love for one another, so don’t feel embarrassed, your photographer is a seasoned professional, and we encourage all the connection.

Ditch the spectators

I will always whisk my couples away from the curious eyes of guests during wedding photo sessions. I do this because even the most confident couples start to feel awkward when their family and friends are heckling them, or even taking photos on their phones.

Let’s wander away from the wedding party and find some secluded, beautiful spots to take some swoon worthy photographs which you will cherish forever.

You may feel like you need an extra set of hands to help you carry your drink/flowers/dress etc, but I promise you, I’ve got you! Photographers turn into personal PA’s on wedding days. I will carry your drink, your flowers, your dress. Help you change into more comfortable shoes and even re-pin hair if necessary. I will do anything and everything you need to feel confident and excited to capture timeless, soulful imagery with your love.

Trust your photographer

And finally, whether it’s me, or another photographer, trust our process. I have shot over 300 weddings in the last 10 years, within that time I have perfected my approach to each wedding day. My working style allows my couples to spend as much time as possible with their family and friends without sacrificing real, raw, beautiful portraits. The process is all kinds of fun and quite frankly a lovely break from a really busy day. You get to spend some one-on-one time with your love and enjoy that 'just married' excitement.

Within our allotted portrait time I will have you laughing with joy, beaming with love and enjoying some much needed time together. And whilst this is happening I will be sneakily capturing some utterly breathtaking imagery. Whether it’s me or another photographer put your trust in them and let them guide you through the enjoyable process.

And there you have it, my go-to tips for amazing wedding photos! I hope you enjoyed it, and find it useful for your own wedding day.