Best Advice From a Wedding Photographer
You found the dress, booked the venue, and you’ve commissioned your dream photographer. You see images online and know exactly how you want your images to look after your day is done.
But still, those feelings of anxiety and doubt creep in.
What if you look silly in your images? What if you are uncomfortable in front of the camera? And how will you know exactly what to do for your photos?
These feelings, while unnecessary, are absolutely common. In the world of social media, it is easy to feel like everyone else is confident and secure in front of the camera. But I promise you, this is not the norm.
Most people feel some sort of overwhelm or anxiety when it comes to being photographed. And I think the way to combat this is to be informed and educated on the art of posing for your images.
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and you want to look and, more importantly, feel your best. As a professional photographer, I want to share with you my best advice for feeling confident and beautiful in front of the camera on your wedding day. Here are my best posing tips for your wedding day.
Pick the Right Wedding Photographer
While this isn’t necessarily a posing tip, it is the biggest and best piece of advice that I have to offer.
Hire the right photographer for you.
This may be me. This could be another photographer. Regardless, this needs to be someone with whom you feel comfortable and have a good repertoire with.
Feeling comfortable with your photographer and trusting them during the experience is the absolute biggest factor that attributes to how you feel about your images.
The right photographer will help you feel confident and beautiful, gently direct you into natural poses, and will encourage you to relax and be yourself … all in a way that feels authentic and aligned with your personality.
How To Find the Right Photographer
So just how do you know if you have found the right photographer for you?
First, I recommend looking at their website in detail. Read their About You page and follow them on social media. You will get an idea of who they are and what they value very quickly. It should give you an idea of if you resonate with them or not.
Second, email them and then schedule a call. After confirming they are available for your date and are within your budget, make sure you schedule a call, video conference, or in-person meeting (if possible). There is a world of difference between reading an email and actually speaking to someone face-to-face. By talking to someone you want to make sure they are a person you feel comfortable with and confident that they will deliver the images you desire.
Third, before booking, look closely at reviews of your photographer. Never automatically disqualify someone because of a single bad review. Instead, look for patterns in negative comments or a large number of unhappy customers. And make sure you look at positive reviews too. See what people said about the photographer. What may be a positive to some (for instance they were the life of the party) may be a negative to you (if you want a more quiet, introspective photographer). Reading about others’ experiences can give you a good idea of what to expect.
Where to Look For Your Photographer
Where to find your ideal photographer can vary but the main places are through online searches, venue or planner referrals, or friend referrals. When you search online for a photographer, make sure you are searching for your specific city/country and the term “wedding photographer.” It will help narrow down the results significantly.
And always take referrals from vendors and friends. They will never refer someone if they aren’t truly happy with the services they provide.
Posing Tips for Your Wedding Day
So, photographer advice aside, I know you want to still learn about basic posing techniques so that you feel comfortable and in control.
Here is my best advice for posing tips to help you look and feel your best on your wedding day.
Read through and maybe do a practice session with your best friend or parent.
Posture
One of the biggest pieces of advice when it comes to posing tips for your wedding day is to watch your posture.
Keep your shoulders back and down. Most people have a tendency to hunch and pull their shoulders in or up. Standing up straight with your shoulders back and down will make you look taller and more assured.
Additionally, make sure you keep your back straight and your core engaged. And don’t lock your knees. If you follow this advice, your posture will show the world how confident and engaged you are.
Angle Your Body
Try to avoid facing straight toward the camera. Angling your body slightly to the side (any side) will make you look more dynamic and confident, plus it will add a little motion to the image.
Relax Your Face
When you are nervous and overwhelmed, it can be easy to forget how much this shows on your face. Therefore, it is important that you try and relax your face as much as possible. A relaxed face is more natural and helps you look more confident.
Hands
Use your hands whenever possible. Don’t let them just fall to your side or shove them in your pockets. Think of ways to add interest to the image with your hands. Maybe play with your hair a little or put them on your hips.
And on the subject of hands — one of my biggest soapboxes is that couples always need to be touching. I realize we are all different and have different love languages but, for the aesthetic of the images, try to always be touching (unless your photographer tells you not to). Touching brings connection and intimacy to the image — and answers that age-old question: “What do I do with my hands?”
Tilt Your Chin
Double chins are one of the biggest concerns of clients. But they are easy to avoid.
For pictures, make sure you tilt your chin forward, in an almost arch like you have an apple underneath it. This will help eliminate any double chin and make your neck look elegant and elongated.
Your Eyes
Don’t be afraid to look at the camera and really connect with the frame. However, it is equally fine — and encouraged — to interact with your partner by looking at them instead.
The key is not to look down and look bashful. Instead, let your eyes sparkle with confidence and ease, looking directly at the camera or your partner. It is also ok to look off to the side of the camera if it is a more contemplative moment.
Smile Naturally
I realize this is more easily said than done but try to smile naturally. The easiest way is to actually be relaxed on your wedding day. And try not to overthink your smile and just be yourself. Don’t smile too big or force a smile.
Hire a Photographer
With all of these suggestions, it is important to remember that your primary focus on your wedding day needs to be enjoying the day and celebrating your love and commitment. While having a basic understanding of posing can help you feel more confident and excited about pictures, fundamentally, this is your photographer’s responsibility — to guide and direct you into poses that are natural and flattering.
Hiring a photographer who is a master of their craft — and whom you feel comfortable with — is really the most important thing you can do to ensure you have beautiful images that you will cherish for a lifetime.
Reach out today if you’d like to talk about your wedding photography. I’d love to hear from you.
