How to Feel Completely Confident in Your Wedding Photos — Even If You’re Camera Shy

First of all, know that you’re not alone.

It’s really rare that I meet a couple that feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. For most of us our wedding day is the first time we’ll ever have professional photographs taken (with exception of school photos and they don’t count) so of course it’s completely natural to feel a bit daunted.

Will I look silly? Will it feel really awkward? Won’t we be missing out on the partying?

These doubts, plus the pressure of it being a really important and special day, can totally zap your confidence. Understandable.

Over the years I’ve helped lots of couples overcome their fears and seen them relax and eventually, dare I say, even enjoy being in front of the camera. So within this article I want to share my secret sauce to feeling confident in your wedding photos so that you too can have the wedding day you deserve.

Banishing The Pressure of Perfection

When you get engaged and take your first exciting steps into wedding planning it can very quickly become a little overwhelming. Targeted adverts popping up left, right and centre. Glossy images of picture perfect couples striking the perfect pose. Breathtaking backdrops, sunset vistas and immaculate venues.

It’s a lot of pressure on you as a couple and gives the impression that you need to fit this mold in order to attain beautiful wedding photos too. 

The truth is everyone’s in the same boat. Everyone is just looking for natural romantic photos that show the love and laughter of their special day. The only difference between them and you is that they feel relaxed enough to enjoy their day and have the support of a great photographer who has their back.

The bottom line is great photography isn’t about looking photogenic, it’s about feeling photogenic and THAT comes from confidence.

Experiences from a real life Bride and Groom

For me, helping couples find their confidence is all about building trust, giving them time and support to find their flow.

When Lauren and Aiden first reached out to enquire with me one of the first things they said was ‘We have barely any photographs of us together’. They even went so far as to say they weren’t ‘photo people’.

I offer all my couples a ‘Pre- Wedding’ photo session and suggested we use this time to practice a few natural poses so that on the day it would all feel brand new. As to be expected they started off a little stiff, so we tweaked and adjusted, chatted, laughed and spent the afternoon finding what felt right for them.

Not only did they absolutely love their engagement gallery but on their Wedding Day they were actually excited to take photos. They trusted and were open to creative ideas and ultimately came away with images that felt intimate, unique and told their story. 

“We are absolutely in love with our engagement and wedding photos! Georgia was fantastic to work with right from the beginning, she is so friendly and made us feel so comfortable with having our photos taken.

Beforehand, we felt we’d be quite out of our comfort zone but Georgia made us feel really natural and at ease. The photos are stunning and we’re so happy with how Georgia captured us and our guests on the day!

We’re so grateful to have these memories preserved so perfectly. “

Why Investing in the Right Photographer Matters

It may be tempting to simply pick a photographer based on their price or even their beautiful images. But it’s equally (if not more) important to find a photographer you like. 

• Do you trust them? Do they have really positive reviews from other couples?
• Do they share your values and vision for your wedding day? 
• Do you feel supported by them? 
• Are you happy to be in their company for the whole day?

A lot of couples choose their photographer based on price and whilst I completely understand that sticking to a budget is important, your photos will last forever. So investing in peace of mind, a joyful experience and lifelong memories should never be snubbed for finding the lowest price.

The right photographer will make you feel supported, calm and understood. They’ll be your biggest cheerleader and your port in the storm on what can be a crazy whirlwind of a day.

Why Investing in the Right Photographer Matters

It may be tempting to simply pick a photographer based on their price point or even their beautiful images. However I would argue that the third consideration, which is equally as important, is whether or not you like them – and I don’t just mean would you be happy to go for a pint at the pub together.

I mean do you trust them? Do they share your values and vision for your wedding day? Do you feel supported by them? Are you happy to be in their company for the whole day?

A lot of couples choose their photographer based on price and whilst I completely understand that sticking to a budget is important, your photos will last forever. So investing in peace of mind, a joyful experience and lifelong memories should never be snubbed for finding the lowest price.

The right photographer will make you feel supported, calm and understood. They will be your biggest cheerleader and your port in the storm on what can be a crazy whirlwind of a day. They have got this, and so do you!

My Top Tips for How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Photographer 

• Look for someone whose personality feels warm, calm, and genuinely kind. You’ll be spending a lot of time together on one of the most special days of your life!
• Pay attention to how they communicate — do they put you at ease? 
• Look for photographers who work with natural connection, not stiff poses. 
• Have a consultation call to see if it “clicks.” 
• Try an engagement shoot if possible — it makes a huge difference. 
• Look for a photographer who understands the flow of a wedding day won’t just give you beautiful images — they’ll help you feel calm, supported, and present. 

Couples Portraits Aren’t as Scary as You Think

Wedding Days are chock-a-block with activities from the traditions of the ceremony all the way to pulling shapes on the dance floor. You’ll undoubtedly want to spend as much time as you can with the people you love and have chosen to spend this special day with. However what many couples don’t realise is that you don’t actually get a great deal of time alone with your new spouse.

So I always like to share with my couples how your allotted time for couples portraits is a really nice opportunity for you to take a moment together, have a breather, reconnect and soak in the emotions of the day.

‘But won’t we be having to look at the camera and pose the whole time?’

Personally, I feel that some of the best images of the day come from genuine connection – the moments when you forget all about the camera and just enjoy spending time as a couple. So many of my prompts are all about encouraging you to talk, walk, play, cuddle, kiss and interact with one another, not the camera at all.

Couples also don’t realise that confidence in your photos often comes from feeling calm and unrushed throughout the day. When your timeline gives you space to breathe your photos naturally become more relaxed and emotive. That’s why I always encourage couples to incorporate a little extra wiggle room into their day…

I’ve put together a free Wedding Day Timeline Guide that builds in those little buffers and breathing spaces, including relaxed windows for portraits. I’ve shared it at the end of this blog if you’d like a copy.

You Deserve to Feel Confident

I hope that reading this gives you the reassurance that it is possible to feel and look amazing in your wedding photos no matter how awkward you may feel about it currently.

It’s important to remember that every couple deserves a fun, relaxed wedding day filled with joy and nothing should get in the way of that. You don’t need to feel harried or pressured, you don’t need to grin and bear awkward photos just for an instagram worthy end result.

You deserve a photographer who takes the time to get to know you, supports and guides you so that you feel confident, comfortable and relaxed.

Remember, your love is beautiful — the right photographer will help you see it.

To help you plan a day that feels relaxed, joyful, and completely yours, I’ve put together a free wedding day timeline guide. Inside, you’ll find suggested timings for different types of weddings, built-in buffer moments, and space for that relaxed, natural photography you love.

It’s my gift to you, and I hope it helps you plan a day that feels as beautiful as the memories you’ll create.

Your Free Wedding Day Timeline

Get in Touch

Every wedding is unique and your timeline should reflect how you want to spend your day.

If you’d like to find out more about how I can help you relax and enjoy your wedding day whilst also capturing all the energy, love and celebration for you to enjoy again and again then I’d love to hear from you.

Click here to book your discovery call and lets begin planning your perfect day!