“I hate having my photo taken, I’m worried I’ll look weird in all the photos”
You’re not alone. You’d be surprised how many couples tell me that they’re not photogenic only to absolutely crush it on their wedding day. I often joke that I specialise in taking photos of people who don’t like having their photo taken!
The thing is, a wedding is so far removed from everyday life that normal rules don’t apply! It’s a day of fantasy, your hair and makeup are better than they’ve ever looked, you’re wearing the most beautiful dress or suit that’s ever graced your body, and there’s a decent chance you’re ticking along nicely with a steady stream of bubbles and beers throughout the day to take the edge off.
Having said that. it’s always handy to have specific suggestions on how to go with the flow. Here are some of the tricks I use to put a couple at ease and create natural candid photos.
- I take a lot of photos. Worried I missed that sneaky little look? I probably didn’t. I’m shooting all day, making sure that all those little moments don’t slip away. I regularly have couples tell me they cannot believe how much of the day I captured, including loads of stuff that they themselves missed.
2. Stealth Mode. Where possible I put my camera on silent mode so you won’t even know I’m there. It’s hard to be awkward in front of the camera when I’m lurking in the shadows (not in a creepy way) and you don’t even know I’m there.
3. Old Friends. I spend a good amount of time with the guys and girls during their pre-wedding preparations on the day. This is great to capture plenty of fly-on-the-wall photos that set the scene for the day, but more importantly, it gives me a chance to build rapport with you and your wedding party so when we’re all together for photos later on it feels like we’re old friends.
4. Hype Man. I am equal parts photographer and hype-man on the wedding day. I’ll constantly be pumping up your tyres, getting you and your wedding party pumped and just generally creating a super fun environment that gives everyone permission to be a bit of a dickhead, let their hair down and have fun. The result is incredibly natural photos.
5. Building Your Connection. When it’s time for the couple photos I have plenty of tricks and games up my sleeve to encourage you two to feed off one another and make each other laugh, after all, who knows how to tickle your funny bone better than the person you’ve just married? The result is that your couple photo session will be a LOT more fun than you’d expect, and the photos will be bursting with natural joy.
6. Embrace Spontaneous Interactions. Don’t be afraid to let your guard down and embrace the spontaneity of the day. Engage in candid conversations, steal glances at each other, and enjoy the little in-between moments. By allowing yourselves to be in the moment, I can capture the beauty of your genuine reactions and interactions, resulting in photos that are anything by cheesy.
8. Have Fun and Be Yourselves. The most important tip is to have fun and be yourselves. Your wedding day is a celebration of your love, and it should reflect your unique personalities. Laugh, dance, and enjoy each other’s company without worrying about posing or formalities. When you’re relaxed and genuinely enjoying yourselves, I will capture the pure magic and natural beauty of your connection.
