How to Feel Confident in Wedding Photos: Natural, Relaxed Tips for Couples
Worried about being awkward in front of the camera on your big day?
Don't worry, I got you...
I’d say about 90% of the couples I work with feel a little nervous about having their photo taken (and if it helps - I hate being in front of the camera too), so you’re definitely not alone. But it really doesn’t have to feel that way.
As a UK editorial wedding photographer, it’s my job to help you feel completely at ease, so nothing ever feels forced or awkward. Here are a few simple tips to help you relax into it, enjoy the moment, and create images that feel artful, effortless, and completely true to you.
Step 01:
FORGET ABOUT THE CAMERA
I know… easier said than done. But the moments you love most are always the ones where you’re not thinking about the camera at all. As an editorial wedding photographer, I’m not looking for stiff poses - I’m looking for feeling. So keep your focus on each other, take a breath, and everything will instantly feel (and look) more natural.
Step 02:
BE YOU
I get asked all the time, “what should we be doing?” - and honestly, nothing different. Chat, laugh, hold each other, sneak a kiss. That’s where the magic is. Your couple portraits are often the only quiet moment you’ll get together on your wedding day, so soak it all in. Those real, in-between moments are what create timeless, editorial-style wedding photography.
Step 03:
KEEP MOVING
Standing still can feel a bit awkward, so don’t! Walk together, spin, dance, cuddle - even the smallest movement makes such a difference. It takes the pressure off and allows me to capture things in a way that feels effortless, relaxed, and beautifully natural, just as editorial wedding photography should.
Step 04:
CONSIDER A PRE-WEDDING COUPLE SHOOT
Pre-wedding couple shoots are completely optional, but they’re such a lovely way for us to connect before the day. It gives you a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera (without the wedding-day nerves), and helps me understand how you naturally are together - which makes everything feel even more seamless when it comes to your wedding photography. Head over to my blog all about pre wedding photoshoots here.
Step 05:
TRUST THE PROCESS
I’ll never leave you wondering what to do - I’ll gently guide you when needed, but always in a way that feels like you. My approach to editorial wedding photography is relaxed and intuitive, so nothing will ever feel forced. And I promise, we’ll have a laugh along the way too.
Step 06:
YOU LOOK INCREDIBLE
It sounds simple, but it matters. No one notices the things you’re worrying about. You’ll be dressed up, completely in your moment, marrying your person - that’s what shines through. So let go a little, embrace it all, and bring that main character energy (yes, Beyoncé-level confidence encouraged). If you’re planning your wedding and this resonates with you, I’d love to hear more about your plans - you can contact me here.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”
