One of the most common things couples say to me before their wedding is: “We’re really awkward in photos.”
The truth is, almost everyone feels that way. Unless you’re used to being photographed regularly, it can feel strange having a camera pointed at you.
The good news is that modern wedding photography is much more about capturing natural moments than standing in stiff, traditional poses. With the right approach, you’ll quickly forget the camera is even there.
Here are a few ways to help you feel more relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day.
Focus on Each Other, Not the Camera
The best wedding photos happen when couples focus on each other rather than the camera.
I often describe my approach as “plandid” photography. There’s always a bit of a plan in place, but the goal is to keep everything feeling natural and relaxed. Rather than asking you to stand in rigid poses, I’ll usually give you simple prompts such as:
- Holding each other and chatting
- Whispering something funny
- Taking a little walk together
- Having a quick jog or run together
- Sharing a quiet moment
These small actions give you something else to focus on, which helps take your mind off the camera and allows natural reactions and genuine moments to happen.
Trust Your Photographer
Trust plays a huge role in feeling comfortable in front of the camera.
This is one of the reasons why having an introductory call before booking a photographer is so important. It gives you the chance to chat, ask questions and most importantly see if you naturally get along.
Your wedding photographer will be with you for a large part of your day, so it’s important that you feel relaxed around them. If you feel comfortable and can be yourselves, that confidence will naturally show in your photos.
Consider an Engagement Shoot
If you're particularly nervous about photos, an engagement session can be a great option.
It gives you the chance to:
- Get used to being photographed
- See how relaxed the experience actually is
- Build a connection with your photographer before the wedding day
- By the time your wedding arrives, being in front of the camera will feel much more familiar.
Allow Enough Time for Couple Portraits
Feeling rushed is one of the biggest reasons couples start to feel uncomfortable during photos.
Setting aside 20–30 minutes for relaxed couple portraits allows you to slow down and enjoy a quiet moment together away from the crowd.
Practice If It Helps You Feel More Confident
If you're someone who likes to feel prepared, it can sometimes help to look at a few couple poses or ideas beforehand.
Platforms like Pinterest can be a great source of inspiration. Some couples even find it helpful to practise simple things like holding each other or walking together naturally.
You don’t need to memorise poses, but becoming familiar with a few ideas can help reduce any nerves about being in front of the camera.
Final Thoughts
Feeling a little nervous about being photographed is completely normal. Almost every couple starts by saying they feel awkward in front of the camera.
But once the day begins and you're surrounded by the people you love, those nerves usually disappear very quickly.
The most important thing is simply to focus on each other and enjoy the day. The real moments will happen naturally, and those are always the photos that matter most.
