3 Top Tips for feeling less awkward in your wedding photos
Worrying about feeling awkward in your wedding photos? If I had a pound for every time I’ve been told by couples “We don’t like having our photo taken” or “We don’t really look good in photos”, I wouldn’t be sat here writing this blog post, I’d be sipping champagne from my yacht in Monaco 🥂
As it is, no-one ever pays me that pound, and instead I reply with the same thing as always: Don’t worry, I will always get good ones!
And I am being totally truthful.
I’m Sally, I’ve shot over 400 weddings in my varied wedding photography career across the UK, and where I’m based, I’m one of the leading wedding photographers in Essex. So when a top Essex wedding photographer tells you not to worry - believe me!
There’s no real secret to looking good in a photo, and I don’t gatekeep information, so here we go: Having confidence in front of a camera helps massively, but then how do we build that confidence?
If you look at any of my 80+ 5-Star reviews on Google, the common themes from previous paying couples, are that I instantly put them at ease, we keep things relaxed and laid-back, and they usually also tell me that my photographs of them convey a relaxed, natural look, where everyone just looks like they’re having the best time ever. These were the same people who were worried they’d be awkward! Wizardry.
Here’s 3 top tips for feeling less awkward in your wedding photos:
#1 – Have a pre-wedding shoot
The best practice run!
The thought of engagement photographs, or a pre-wedding shoot, sometimes fills couples with dread. They think of those soft-focus photos of couples sat on hay bales. This is definitely *not* what we do on my pre-wedding shoots!
These can be booked alongside my photography packages, and I like to have around 1.5 with you, at a location of your choice, to basically have a bit of a chat and take a few photos. I only start photographing once you feel comfortable. It helps dispel any anxieties over photos, we get to know each other, and it’s the best practice you can have before your wedding.
This little practice run will help put you at ease before your wedding day, and when it comes to the big day, you’ll automatically feel more comfortable in front of the camera, and in turn, your photos will look relaxed and quite frankly, awesome. You can even bring your dog 🐾
#2 – Your wedding is not the time to step out of your comfort zone
Having been a bride, and having shot over 400 weddings, I can say with my whole heart that your wedding day isn’t the time to step out of your comfort zone. It’s the day you’re committing to your partner for life, and all the buzz and noise and bells and whistles around your wedding should only be making you feel safe and comfortable, and not for any other reason. Include and embrace the things that feel like you.
Choose your date, your suppliers and everything else to make you feel comfortable within yourself. Otherwise what’s the point? If you’re on edge all day because your wedding doesn’t feel ‘like you’, then that’s a direct way to feeling anxious and awkward in your photos.
If you’re assured in the knowledge that your day will go smoothly, full of love and laughter, and if you allow yourself to relax and not worry about the details, your photos will definitely reflect this 🧡
By now you’ll already know that I specialise in natural, candid, authentic photography, and on your wedding day 95% of the time you won’t know when I’m photographing you.
People always look their best when they don’t know they’re being photographed, so don’t worry about what I’m doing, don’t worry about putting on a smile for the camera if you happen to see me looking your way, just carry on your chat with your aunty, or jump in that selfie with your bezzies! 9 times out of 10, the unposed, candid snaps are the most flattering, so let your proverbial hair down.
#3 – Book a wedding photographer who knows how to make you feel comfortable.
Wedding planning can be overwhelming at the best of times, so take one thing off your plate and book a photographer (me) who has signifcant experience in capturing couples who are worried about feeling awkward in their wedding photos.
I cater for all types of couples and all kinds of love stories, and when it comes down to it, the two of you just want some lovely photos that accurately documented your day. My galleries typically comprise plenty of natural, informal, candid images and a smattering of real showstopper photos that you’d want to hang on your wall. I don’t make you do anything weird, and I’m great at adapting myself to my couples’ needs on their day.
If you were expecting technical advice on what to do with your face to make your photos look less awkward - that just doesn’t exist. Most of the time, your photos reflect how you’re feeling, so be reassured that I’ll create a calm, friendly and fun atmosphere so you get the most out of your wedding photos.
Bonus ways of feeling less awkward in your wedding photos:
Get your hands on some food and drink on your big day, even if you don’t feel hungry. Once the ceremony is out of the way, no-one wants to be hangry.
Create a fun playlist for when you’re getting ready. It doesn’t need to be ‘wedding tunes’, just songs that you love and make you feel good.
Concentrate on the good vibes of your day; seeing your friends and family in one place for a right ol’knees up. A time for celebration!
Hopefully you’re feeling less awks now!
Did you like what you saw? I’m one of the leading wedding photographers in Essex and surrounding areas, having shot over 400 weddings. Whether your wedding day is at a manor house, a town hall, a barn, a marquee, or somewhere else, I’ve probably got experience in capturing it! Please get in touch to see if I’m available on your wedding date HERE