Some people, like the young lady in this main image, are absolute naturals in front of the camera. They know how to smile, pose, have fun and enjoy the attention without a second thought.
Other people would rather hide behind a tree than have their photograph taken.
After photographing weddings for many years, I have learned that couples usually fall into a handful of different groups. Some love posing, some hate it, some make it fun, and some completely surprise themselves on the day.
As a Wedding Photographer, my job is not to turn you into professional models. It is to understand how you feel, adapt to your personalities and create wedding photographs that feel relaxed, natural and genuinely like you.
The Couples Who Hate Posing
These are often the couples who mention it during our very first conversation.
“I hate having my photo taken.”
“We’re awkward in front of the camera.”
“We don’t know what to do with our hands.”
I have genuinely heard every version of this over the years.
The reality is that most couples are far less awkward than they think. Rather than throwing lots of complicated poses at you, I keep things simple, relaxed and natural. I will guide you where needed, give you something to do rather than simply asking you to stand still, and focus on helping you enjoy being together. Or make you force smile !
The Couples Who Love Posing
At the opposite end of the scale are the couples who absolutely love being in front of the camera.
They arrive with ideas, inspiration boards, screenshots and endless enthusiasm.
And honestly, I love that too.
If you enjoy photography and want to make the most of your couple portraits, I am more than happy to embrace that energy. We can be creative, explore different locations and have a bit of fun with the experience.
The key is always making sure it still feels like your wedding day rather than a photoshoot that takes over the entire celebration.
The Fun And Playful Couples
Some couples naturally bring fun and energy to their photographs.
They laugh easily, wind each other up, joke around and turn the whole thing into part of the wedding day rather than something separate from it.
With these couples, I often step back and let the moments unfold. The photographs almost create themselves because the connection, laughter and personality are already there.
These galleries are often full of movement, silly moments, natural smiles and genuine emotion.
The Couples Who Need A Little Help
Many couples sit somewhere in the middle.
They do not hate photographs, but they do not especially love them either.
They simply need a bit of confidence and reassurance.
A little guidance.
A little encouragement.
A reminder that they do not need to perform for the camera.
Once they realise there is no pressure, they usually begin to relax and enjoy themselves. These are often the couples who start cautiously and gradually become more confident as the day goes on.
The Biggest Surprise Of All
Then there is the group that surprises everyone, including themselves.
These are often the quieter couples. The ones who tell me they are nervous. The ones who are convinced they will struggle.
Then the wedding day arrives.
The atmosphere builds.
The excitement grows.
They are surrounded by friends, family and people they love.
And suddenly they completely throw themselves into it.
They laugh, they relax, they enjoy every second and often become some of the most natural couples I photograph.
By the end of the day, they are usually the first people saying, “That was actually really good fun.”
What If You Really Do Not Want Posed Photographs?
Occasionally I meet couples who genuinely do not want posed wedding photographs at all.
It is not common, because even couples who dislike being photographed usually want a handful of relaxed family photographs and a few natural portraits together. However, every now and then a couple will tell me they would prefer a completely documentary approach from start to finish.
That is absolutely fine too.
In these situations I can photograph your wedding almost entirely through observation and storytelling. Rather than creating moments, I quietly capture them as they happen throughout the day.
The challenge is that some photographs naturally become more difficult to achieve without any direction whatsoever. Sometimes I may give a subtle prompt, ask you to briefly look my way, or position myself where I know a natural moment is likely to happen. The goal is always to keep things feeling authentic rather than staged.
The result is a collection of photographs that feels incredibly natural and honest, capturing the atmosphere, emotions and story of your wedding day exactly as it unfolded.
There Is No Right Way To Be
Every couple is different, and that is exactly how it should be.
Whether you love posing, hate posing, tolerate it, or have absolutely no idea how you will feel until the day arrives, my approach remains the same.
I will meet you where you are.
I will help you feel comfortable.
And together we will create wedding photographs that feel natural, relaxed and genuinely reflect who you are as a couple.
Because the best wedding photographs are not about perfect poses.
They are about real people having an incredible day.