How often have you seen (or searched for) articles about how to look your best on camera for wedding photos? You know the ones – posts with titles like “How to be More Photogenic” and “The #1 Trick to Looking Your Best.” They number in the thousands.

This is not one of those articles. 

It’s not that you can’t find useful information by reading such posts. It’s helpful to know certain angles and how to carry oneself. 

But there’s enough of that info out there. And we’re bombarded by media that tells us how we’re all supposed to look. What you don’t come across as often is how to enjoy the experience of being on camera.

Many couples we work with don’t like being the center of attention. They’re worried about feeling awkward in front of the lens. And although they want to look their best (who doesn’t?), they don’t want to look like everyone else, or feel uncomfortable.

Instead of typing out a list of tips and tricks on how to look “good”, I think it is more beneficial to give advice on how to feel​​​​​​​ good when being photographed.

Let’s dive in.

Have a Connection with Your Photographer 

Right off the bat, if you don’t feel comfortable around your photographer, you won’t enjoy your time in front of the camera. 

Liking someone’s style isn’t enough! They might have the most gorgeous photography style, but if you felt awful taking pictures the whole time, that memory will stick with you. The style won’t matter much in the end.

Several things need to line up before a photographer becomes “the one.” Do their values resonate with yours? What about their approach to photography? Do you like their personality? Do they put you at ease? Can they make you laugh?

A majority of your answers should be a resounding yes. Connection and trust lead to an enjoyable experience. And your experience will affect how you view your photos.

Book an Engagement Session 

Engagement sessions are great for a few reasons:

1. They give you images of this time in your lives (which you can use later for save-the-dates, cards, guestbook art, etc.). 
2. They help you get to know your photographer and vice versa.
3. They provide practice before the wedding day.

We have worked with couples who were self-conscious initially, but felt confident in front of the camera after an engagement session. They loved their photos and, more importantly, felt great about themselves. 

The awesome thing about an engagement session is that it’s just the two of you and the photographer. You don’t have to think about guests or getting back to the wedding. You only have to focus on each other and being yourselves. 

During these sessions, we listen to our couple’s worries/desires, provide guidance if needed, and help them feel as comfortable as possible, so they enjoy the process. When they’re having fun and being in the moment, they forget the small things that once felt bigger.  

Remember What It’s All About 

We can use lighting and angles and all of the usual techniques to get you in the “best light,” but it’s not always about that. Your wedding photos aren’t about only being technically perfect from a photography perspective. They should also be about the emotion behind the images, and the meaning within. It’s what these photos stand for, and the memories captured forever. 

Yes, we want you to feel confident and love how you look in your photos. And we will do everything to ensure that happens (aside from distorting or warping you into someone you’re not).  

Instead of getting worked up over being in front of the camera, remember that you’re here, you’re alive, and you’re getting married to the love of your life. 

Your wedding photos won’t be about how things looked so much as they are about how things felt in that moment. Photographs bring you back to those moments of love and joy – and unbelievable magic.  

That’s what it’s all about.

At some point during your big day, you’ll be having so much fun celebrating that you’ll probably forget there’s a camera involved. Well at least if you have a photographer you connect with and trust. If you feel like that could be us, let’s talk!