Wedding Photography for Camera Shy Couples

Not everybody is a natural when it comes to having their photo taken. Sometimes it can be hard to put yourself in the spotlight like that. Many couples are camera shy but when it comes to your wedding day, it’s important to try and get the best possible photos to make long lasting memories that you will love.

I get it! I really do. You don’t like having your photo taken, you quite possibly don’t enjoy being the centre of attention at all. I get it because that is also me. I absolutely hate being in front of the camera and I’m fairly sure that subconsciously that is why I chose photography as a hobby and then later on down the line as a career.

Generally throughout life if we don’t want to be the centre of attention or are not keen on having our photo taken we can avoid it.

However, your wedding day is different. It is a big party and it is all about you as a couple. There are even moments, such as the ceremony and first dance when all eyes are on you both. This makes your wedding day even more nerve-wracking than it already is. Then there is the added dread of having a photographer around you all day taking your photo.

Obviously, this is something that needs to happen as you want the memories of your big day immortalised forever and there are a few things you can do to help your cause.

Be there for each other.

The most important thing to remember is that you are there for each other.  This day is about you two and no one else. The memories that are being captured in these photos are, for the most part, just for you.

Wedding Photography for Camera Shy Couples

Being a wedding photographer who is camera shy myself, I completely understand where couples who feel that way are coming from. Therefore, I have really put in the time and effort to specialise in capturing weddings for couples who are camera shy. Most of my time on your wedding day will be capturing natural shots, those moments that just happen.  I have had a lot of comments from couples and guests saying I make them feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Wedding Photography Style

My style of photography is a mix of documentary and traditional. Documentary photography has many names: fly-on-the-wall, candid, photojournalist etc. but it all the same thing. In short, I spend a lot of the day  blending into your wedding so that you are unaware that I am there. A lot of this involves me holding back until I see a moment about to happen and then I move in to capture it and back out again before anyone knows I’m there.

I do offer the chance to have group shots and bride and groom portraits but you don’t have to have them if you don’t want to, it entirely depends on you.

Most couples do choose to have group shots – we keep this to a small number (head over to my blog about group shots) and  most couples do want bride and groom portraits.

An Engagement/Pre wedding session 

An engagement shoot is an excellent way to ease camera shy couples into having your photos taken by a professional wedding photographer.

My engagement shoots are very relaxed,  (coffee and cake will be part of our session!) and they are just about capturing you as a couple. They start off with candid shots of the two of you walking, holding hands, chatting and by the end,  you will be much more confident in front of the camera. 

• An engagement shoot is an excellent idea because:
• You get stunning photos of the two of you
• You get a better understanding of how I work as a photographer
• You will feel much more confident and capable in front of the camera by the end of the session, so when it comes to your wedding it is one less thing to worry about

Having me around you on your wedding day won’t seem nearly as daunting, as you will see me as more of a friend than a photographer

In-Person Wedding Photography Consultation

I always meet my couples at least twice before their wedding day. I know that this makes you feel more confident around me and helps you see me as a friend rather than just a supplier at your wedding. At these meetings, we talk about all sorts of things, ranging from your hobbies and family to what your biggest worries are about your wedding day and your wedding timeline. I am also available on the phone or over Zoom at any point during your wedding planning so that I can help you out in any way you need.

Your Wedding Photographer

At the end of the day, I am YOUR wedding photographer and I do everything that I possibly can to make you feel comfortable and relaxed in the lead up to your wedding and on the wedding day itself. I absolutely love it when I get emails, messages and reviews from couples thanking me for how understanding and thoughtful I was with them and how they felt completely at ease because of how I wasn’t just their photographer but also their friend. It means so much to me when my couples talk about how I have captured the real them and their wedding day and how they remember it because I made them feel so comfortable.

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Here are a few tips which will hopefully help you relax if you are camera-shy

• Don’t worry about looking at the camera – focus all your love and attention on your new husband or wife. You will find that you start to forget the camera is even there and your photos will be full of connection!
• Breathe! If you feel a bit nervous you can tend to hold your breath without realising which makes you tense up. Take a couple of deep breaths and relax – it will make you feel a lot calmer.
• Keep moving – you don’t have to stand still for me to get a great photo of you. In fact movement usually makes a photo more dynamic and full of life! It can be taking a little walk together, swaying slightly wrapped up in a hug, doing a big jump for joy or even little movements like tucking hair behind an ear.

• I can give you prompts to help but don’t feel you have to stand like a statue! We will do a lot of walking shots – just to warn you I quite often lay down to capture these moments!
• Touch each other – this one isn’t as rude as it sounds! One of the first things people usually say when we start taking photos is ‘What do I do with my hands?!’ To save them just hanging down limply by your sides, just keep touching your lovely partner. Hold hands, cuddle up, stroke a cheek or an arm – you should nearly always be in physical contact with your partner in some form, it helps to capture your emotional connection in the photos.

Am I the perfect wedding photographer for you? 

• I know exactly what it is like to feel nervous in front of the camera. I won’t ask you to do anything you don’t want to do, and will do everything I can to make the experience relaxed and enjoyable!

• My couples often say they find they are really relaxed around me. Being relaxed makes for better, more authentic photos of the two of you in love!

• I build in a couple of shorter portrait sessions for the two of you during your day – not only will it mean more variety in your album, it also makes it seem less full-on and intimidating.

• I give just the right amount of direction. I don’t tell you exactly how to stand or make you feel like you’re being put in positions which don’t feel like ‘you’. What I will do is place you in some beautiful light, give you some tips, chat away at you, ask you questions, and then give you space to just be together.

• I am there for you throughout your wedding planning journey – I’m here to help, support, encourage and get excited with you along the way. I love hearing your plans, all the little things which make your wedding unique to you and I will be there smiling and maybe shedding a tear or two of happiness for you both on on your wedding day. You’ve got this!

Fancy a cuppa to see if I am the perfect photographer for you – drop me an email.