Not everyone is a born model – in fact, many of us feel a little awkward the moment a camera is pointed our way. If you or your partner are camera shy, the idea of taking hundreds of wedding photos might feel daunting. The good news is you don’t have to be a natural poser to get amazing wedding photos. With the right approach and a bit of preparation, you can look comfortable, happy, and authentic in your pictures. No stiff, cheesy poses here – just natural, beautiful momentscaptured on camera.
This guide will show you how to pose (and how not to pose) so that your wedding photos reflect the real you. From pre-wedding prep to tips on the big day, even the camera shy can shine in front of the lens. Let’s turn that photo nervousness into confidence!
A genuine, candid moment between a bride and groom can result in a stunning photo that feels real and full of emotion. Even if you’re camera shy, focusing on each other rather than the camera is one trick to getting natural shots like this. Now, let’s explore more ways to feel at ease and look amazing in your wedding photos.
Get to Know Your Photographer
One of the best ways to ease camera anxiety is to build a comfortable relationship with your wedding photographer. If possible, meet them in person (or via video chat) before the wedding. A great photographer will take time to get to know you as a couple – your story, your personalities, and what makes you relaxed.
Consider doing an engagement photo session with the same photographer. This is like a practice run in a low-pressure setting. During the engagement shoot, you’ll get familiar with how your photographer directs and shoots, and they’ll learn how to bring out your genuine smiles. By the time the wedding day arrives, seeing a familiar face behind the camera – someone who feels like a friend – can make you far more comfortable. You’ll be more inclined to trust them and less aware of the camera because you know the person holding it.
Plus, share your concerns! Tell your photographer if one of you feels self-conscious or if you have “awkward photo” fears. A pro has worked with all types of couples (including camera shy ones) and will have tricks up their sleeve to help you relax. Choosing the right photographer – someone whose personality clicks with yours – is half the battle in getting natural photos.
Do a Little Practicing (But Not Posing)
You don’t need to practice specific poses in the mirror (leave the technical stuff to your photographer), but it can help to get comfortable in front of a camera before the big day. Have a friend take some casual photos of you two hanging out – at home cooking, on a walk in the park, etc. This isn’t about nailing a perfect shot; it’s about getting used to the feeling of being photographed. Over time, you’ll start to feel less like “Oh no, a camera!” and more able to act natural even when one is around.
Another fun idea: practice smiling and laughing on cue. It might sound silly, but sometimes in front of a camera our smiles freeze into something less than genuine. Watch a funny video or share jokes with each other to see your natural laughing faces – that’s what you want in photos! Some couples even practice a “nuzzle” pose or a kiss so they don’t feel shy doing it later with people watching. Keep it light and maybe turn it into a date night game with selfies. The goal is to get the awkwardness out early, so on the wedding day you’re pros at cuddling and giggling on camera.
If you’re concerned about certain angles or how you look in photos, you can also communicate that to your photographer. For example, if you know you have a “good side,” there’s nothing wrong with letting them know! They’ll appreciate any intel that helps you feel confident. But don’t fixate too much on perceived flaws – remember, your partner loves you and on the wedding day you’ll be looking your best, full of love and joy, which is incredibly photogenic.
Focus on Each Other, Not the Camera
Here’s a little secret: the best, most natural wedding photos often happen when the couple forgets the camera is there. Instead of thinking about how you look, focus on how you feel with your new spouse. During portraits, your photographer will likely give you prompts or activities that encourage you to interact with each other. It might be walking hand in hand, whispering something in your partner’s ear, or gently swaying together as if dancing. These prompts are designed to create genuine reactions – maybe a laugh, a smile, a tender expression – and those make beautiful photos.
So, when in doubt, look at your partner. Look into their eyes, talk to them, even move around together. If you’re standing still and starting to feel stiff, don’t hesitate to shift – take a stroll or give each other a playful twirl. Your photographer can capture these candid movements which often look way more natural than holding a rigid pose. Some of the sweetest shots are couples exchanging a private word or stealing a quick kiss, seemingly lost in their own little world. Pretend the camera is a friend documenting your love, not a spotlight you have to perform under.
Also, don’t be afraid to show emotion. If you feel like laughing, laugh. If you feel overcome with happiness, let it show – even tears of joy are beautiful (waterproof mascara exists for a reason!). Many camera-shy people tense up because they’re trying to compose themselves for the photo. Instead, embrace the emotions of the day. A radiant, authentic smile or a soft affectionate glance will always look better than a forced poker face.
Find Poses That Feel Natural to You
When it comes to formal portraits (like during your couple’s session or family photos), certain poses are inevitable. But a good photographer will adapt to you. If something feels awkward – speak up! There might be a different pose that achieves a similar look but is more comfortable. For example, maybe you hate the way it feels to tilt your head a certain way or you feel unbalanced standing on a particular side. Tell your photographer, “This doesn’t feel like us,” and they’ll adjust. Comfort is key to looking natural.
That said, here are a few universally flattering and natural-feeling poses/tips you can keep in mind:
- The Walking Shot: Walking together (hand-in-hand or arm-in-arm) gives a sense of movement and tends to loosen you up. Look at each other or ahead, chat as you walk – it’s hard to look stiff when you’re literally on the move.
- Close and Comfortable: Stand close, almost hugging, with one of you slightly angled toward the camera and the other inward. You can put your foreheads together, or one rest their head on the other’s chest/shoulder. This often feels intimate (which it is) and looks great on camera.
- The Almost Kiss: If full-on PDA makes you shy, try the almost kiss – you get close enough that it’s romantic, maybe touching noses or you looking at each other’s lips, but you’re not actually kissing. It’s a sweet moment that photographers love to capture, and it can lead to genuine smiles or giggles.
- Use Your Hands: One awkward thing in photos can be “What do I do with my hands?” Use them to touch each other (hold hands, hand on chest, touch their cheek or hair) or interact with props (holding the bouquet together, clinking champagne glasses). Having a small action for your hands makes you look more natural than arms just dangling.
- Look Away: Not every photo needs you staring at the camera. In fact, many of the most natural portraits are when you’re looking off-camera – at each other, or at something in the distance. It removes that feeling of being stared at by the lens and often gives a candid photojournalistic vibe.
Remember, there’s no one “right” way to pose. The right pose is whatever makes you both look and feel good together. It might take a few tries to loosen up, but once you find your groove, the camera will capture the magic.
Use Prompts and Think Happy Thoughts
Great photographers often use prompts instead of static poses. Prompts are little instructions or mini-activities that get you interacting. For example, your photographer might say, “Whisper in her ear the name of your first crush,” or “Walk toward me and then tell him something funny that happened on your first date.” These usually cause a natural laugh or a sweet reaction. Be open to these games – they might feel silly in the moment, but they truly bring out real smiles and laughs.
If your photographer doesn’t use a lot of prompts, you can still create your own happy thoughts. During the shoot, talk to each other. Reminisce about a hilarious trip you took or imagine what you’ll be doing on your honeymoon. Some couples develop code words or inside jokes ahead of time – if one of you says the code word, it’s sure to make the other crack up. That genuine laughter is photography gold.
Another tip: don’t rush through poses or moments. For instance, if you’re asked to kiss or dip or spin, do it slowly and relish it. Take a pause mid-kiss to smile, or sway in that dip for a moment. This gives the photographer time to capture various frames, and it gives you time to actually feel the moment instead of just performing it.
Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself
We are our own worst critics, especially in photos. You might be worrying about your smile or your posture, but remember that on your wedding day, you’ll be looking your absolute best – dressed to the nines, professionally styled, glowing with excitement. Trust that the beauty of the day (and of your happiness) will shine through in the photos.
Try not to fixate on small insecurities. The more you worry about your appearance, the more tense you’ll appear. Instead, keep the big picture in mind: you’re marrying the love of your life! That joy will translate to looking attractive and at ease. Photographers also know how to use angles and lighting to play up your best features, so leave those technicalities to them.
If you find yourself getting stiff or anxious during photos, take a breather. It’s okay to pause. Maybe you need a sip of water, or to goof around for a second to break the tension. Shake out your arms, roll your shoulders, take a deep breath. Even a quick 10-second break can reset your energy.
Incorporate Movement and Natural Elements
Standing perfectly still for portraits can feel awkward. Whenever you can, add a bit of movement. It could be as subtle as brushing a strand of hair behind your ear, or as grand as twirling in your gown to fan out the skirt. Movement not only creates interesting photos, but it also gives you something to do, which makes you less focused on “I’m taking a photo” and more on the action.
Dancing is a great movement – even without music, you can do a slow dance in a field or a gentle sway on the beach. Walking (as mentioned) is wonderful. Even using the environment helps: if there’s a breeze, embrace it and let it move you; if there’s a staircase, walk up or sit on it; if a cute vintage car, lean against it and chat. These natural interactions with your surroundings keep your body language loose.
Some of the most authentic shots might be in-between the formal poses. For instance, when transitioning from one spot to another, you might share a laugh or a spontaneous kiss – and a sneaky photographer will capture those unplanned gems. So don’t be “on” only when you think you’re being photographed. Assume the camera could catch any candid cute moment – which is great! – and just enjoy yourselves throughout the photo session.
Trust Your Photographer’s Guidance
On your wedding day, you have one job: enjoy the moment. Let your photographer direct the show when it comes to portraits. If they ask you to do something that feels odd, give it a try anyway – sometimes what feels strange in person looks incredible on camera. (That being said, as noted, let them know if it’s really uncomfortable or not “you.” It’s a collaboration.)
Professional photographers know how to position you in the best light, how to arrange you so you look connected and natural. They might fix your posture – “drop your shoulders, they’re creeping up” (a common thing when nervous) – or remind you to breathe. They might encourage you to interact: “Okay, now both of you look at each other and think about how excited you are to marry in five minutes.” Allow yourself to get into it.
If you hired this photographer, you likely love their past work. Keep that in mind – they’ve done this many times, and the couples in their portfolio might have been just as camera shy as you at first! Trusting them means you can let go of overthinking. And when you’re not overthinking, guess what – you automatically look more natural.
Embrace the Imperfections and Be You
Finally, remember that sometimes the most perfect wedding photos are the imperfect ones – the ones where you might be doubling over in laughter, or your hair is flying in your face from the wind, or you’re tearing up and wiping a mascara smudge. These real moments are what tell your story. Don’t worry if every photo isn’t magazine-cover posed. They’re not meant to be. They’re meant to capture you two and your love.
Years later, you likely won’t care about a stray hair or a slight wrinkle in a suit. You’ll care that the photos bring back the feelings of the day. So be unapologetically yourselves. If you’re goofy, be goofy. If you’re super romantic, be lovey-dovey. If you’re shy, it’s okay to be a bit shy – those gentle smiles and glances will be beautiful.
In summary: relax, interact with each other, and trust the process. Your wedding day is going to fly by, and the moments shared between you are what matter most. Let the photographer do their magic in preserving those moments. When you get your photos back, you might be amazed at how naturally joyful and gorgeous you both look, no matter how camera shy you felt initially.
Ready to put these posing tips into practice? With a little preparation and the right mindset, you’ll nail those wedding photos with ease. If you’re still feeling anxious about it, reach out to us – we’re happy to chat and even do a pre-wedding coaching session or engagement shoot to build that confidence. Our goal is to make sure you not only have stunning photos, but also enjoy the experience of taking them. You’ve got this – and we can’t wait to see you shine in front of the camera on your big day!
