So, you love the idea of having wonderfully meaningful photographs from your wedding day
The only problem is... you're just not that confident when it comes to being photographed
Perhaps the thought of posing makes you anxious and you just want to feel relaxed and comfortable, and you want your guests to feel the same!
You want the atmosphere of the day documented in an authentic and honest way, without the awkward posing and bossy photographer, that's not too much to ask is it?!
By the end of this guide, you will see how easy it is have beautifully natural wedding photos you will love, and who knows, you might even enjoy being photographed!
1. Remember, you are going to feel and look amazing
Maybe you've had a bad experience of being photographed, where you felt uncomfortable or you thought you looked like crap... or you generally just don't think you photograph well. And this has probably tarnished your perception of being photographed.
BUT... on your wedding day, you are going to be wearing something you feel amazing in you are going to be surrounded by the people you love... and your smile, laughter and emotion is going to be the real thing
No faking it. Just doing your thing, whilst your photographer captures your good side (natural smiles & authentic moments)
2. Chat with your wedding photographer
If you are feeling a little unsure about being in front of the camera, mention it to your photographer
99% of my couples say they are really awkward in front of the camera, and maybe they are for the first 2 minutes... but it's never as bad as you think, I promise!
Maybe it's the not knowing that makes people a bit apprehensive, but I'm pretty certain all of my couples end up enjoying being photographed and in turn love their photos!
If there is something in particular you are a bit self conscious about, let your photographer know, and they will be able to work with you to make you feel comfortable and create photographs that are sensitive to your hang ups
3. Your day your way
It's easier said than done, but try to make your day about what you love, rather than just ticking boxes or trying to please everyone else
The more joy and excitement you feel about your wedding, the more amazing your experience will be, and this will be reflected in your photographs!
4. Choose a photographer you trust
This is a big one!
If you love your photographer's images and you feel like you are on the same wavelength, then you are going to trust them to capture your day as you have imagined
If you trust your photographer, you will be able to let your guard down, let them do their thing and know in your heart, they understand you and will do whatever it takes to make your photographs a true reflection of your day, as well creating photographs that feel like you!
5. Be in the moment
Most weddings are a single day, all that build up, the planning, the nerves, the excitement, getting everyone there, all those choices, decisions. Whether you have been planning for years or just a couple of months, that is a lot of pressure to have on one day!
The biggest piece of advise I give to my couples is, be in the moment. Enjoy it. You have worked so hard to bring this all together, now it's time to soak it all up and just have the best day ever!
Let go of any worries, you may regret it if you don't let yourself enjoy your day because you are still thinking about the flower display or table plan.
If you allow yourself to be present and open to all that magic, you're photos will be full to brim with love, laughter, joy and real heartfelt emotion
That is the good stuff right there!
6. Find a relaxed wedding photographer
If you do tend to be a little camera shy, find a photographer who is really good at making you feel comfortable.
Some photographers are amazing at creating picture perfect photographs, where the couple look like they are on one of those ridiculously gorgeous perfume adverts
Other photographer's skills lie in making more introverted couples feel relaxed and at ease, creating naturally beautiful photos where they feel like themselves
A relaxed photographer is a calming presence on your wedding day and gets along with all your guests. Their secret weapon is capturing all those lovely natural photos -as they are really good at blending into the background. Because they are a bit of an introvert too, they are really good at noticing the little in-between moments and filling in the gaps of the day that you may have missed. Winning!
7. Trust me, you're not doing it wrong
There is no right way to act when your are being photographed. Everyone is different, and that is the beauty of capturing these precious moments
We want to remember the people who we love. We want photographs to look back on in years to come, to show our children and our grandchildren
You don't have to follow a template of traditional wedding photography. You may not know exactly what to do in that moment, but your wedding photographer will be there to guide you, so you get some beautiful natural photos, that aren't forced. Yes please!
Just know, that whatever you feel like doing in that moment, it's cool. I don't have a set of cookie cutter poses that I use for every couple, because I want you to have photos that are in the moment, that have personality and I want you to enjoy the experience.
8. Embrace the awkward
This one is my fave!
It's pretty likely that the first few photos I take, you're going to feel a little weird. And that is cool, in fact it's admirable, it's preferred.
It would be very surprising if the first photo I took, you looked straight down the lens and hit me with a perfect blue steel stare ( if you know you know ; )
So basically, once those first few photos have been snapped, you will almost immediately feel at ease, it's hard to explain, but I see it all the time. It's like the thought of being photographed is 100 times worse than the actual experience.
Go with the awkward, and know that I totally understand how you feel, and I promise you, the awkward won't last long, and then you can crack on with enjoying yourself, and you will get all those wonderfully relaxed and natural photos of your day without worrying about the camera.
Woohoo!
9. Like your photographer
Its one thing, loving the images your photographer takes, a lot goes into them... the way they use light, the way they edit, the compositions they use and not to mention, the moments they choose to press that shutter. All this is super important in creating a gallery of images you will treasure.
But potentially even more important, is choosing a photographer you actually like as a human being. They are going to be there on your wedding day, chatting to your family, documenting your precious moments. They will be there whilst you are getting ready, until you hit the dance floor!
So I don't say this lightly when I tell you... find someone you like.
Someone you can easily chat to and who you feel comfortable with. Someone you can ask for help or advise, before, during and after the wedding. Your photos will thank you for it
And last but definitely not least...
10. Be your wonderful selves!
It may be your wedding day. But you're still you.
If you are super shy, beautiful. If you are a bit of a weirdo, cool with me.
One of the best things about being a wedding photographer, is meeting and getting to know couples, their family and friends, all their quirks, the connection they have with each other, it's exciting. Every wedding is unique, because every couple is unique.
I love making beautiful and honest photographs that truly reflect who you are as a couple
so you do you : )
I really hope my 10 top tips have given you a little insight into how to get beautifully natural photography at your own wedding and I'm sure you will absolutely nail it when the time comes
If you give yourself a little more credit, and be open to the experience, you will have a gallery of beautiful wedding photos that you love...
...You guys will have the most incredible day, just be sure to soak up all that wedding day magic and be in the moment ; )
If you would like to find out more about how I photograph weddings, head over to 'Weddings' or 'Wedding Gallery'
Or to find out more about me, click HERE
Thank you so much for reading, if you have any questions about anything at all
You can drop me a message on info@fayegreen.co.uk
Relaxed and emotion filled wedding photography for laid back outdoorsy couples who want beautiful and unique photography of their day
Documentary style photography telling the story of your day through real moments
For unique photographs with loads of personality
Based in Warwickshire, travelling near and far to photograph awesome weddings