In this guide you’ll learn…
- How your choice of wedding photographer impacts how you look and feel on camera
- Why learning how to pose is not the answer to more natural wedding photos
- The importance of your wedding day timeline and its impact on your wedding photos
- Why letting go of perfection leads to beautiful wedding photos.
Even the most confident couples sometimes worry about how they’ll look in front of the camera. You might be thinking: “What if I freeze up?” or “What if I look awkward?” The truth is, the most natural wedding photos don’t come from perfect poses – they come from feeling relaxed, connected and comfortable enough to be yourselves. Here’s how to look natural in your wedding photos.
Choose a wedding photographer who helps you relax
Feeling natural in your wedding photos starts long before the big day. The right photographer won’t just take beautiful pictures; they’ll create an atmosphere where you can be yourselves.
Look for someone who understands your personalities, not just your Pinterest board. Your connection with your photographer is what turns simple portraits into something genuine and emotional. As a wedding photographer in Essex (and across London), I find that calm communication, empathy and gentle guidance make all the difference.
My previous blog post delves deeper into this – ‘How to Choose a Wedding Photographer You’ll Truly Connect With‘
Don’t think about posing - think about each other
Most couples aren’t used to being in front of a camera all day, so it’s normal to feel self-conscious at first. The key is to shift your focus. Instead of thinking about the camera, focus on your partner. Walk together, talk, hold hands, share a laugh.
Your photographer will give subtle direction so you know what to do with your hands, how to stand, and where the best light is but the real magic happens in between. That’s when your natural dynamic shines through.
Plan time in your day for calm and connection
A packed timeline can make it harder to relax. When your wedding day allows for breathing space – a quiet moment before the ceremony, a short walk between courses, or ten minutes together at golden hour – it shows in your photographs.
The best wedding photography doesn’t rush you. It honours those small pauses when you can simply be together. Those are often the moments that couples tell me become their favourite images of all.
Surround yourself with people who bring calm energy
The atmosphere around you affects how natural your photos feel. Whether you’re getting ready in a hotel suite in London or at home in the Essex countryside, choose people who make you laugh and help you feel grounded. A relaxed morning sets the tone for the whole day.
A calm environment means softer expressions, genuine smiles, and images that feel effortlessly elegant.
Trust your photographer and let go of perfection
Once you’ve chosen your photographer, you can let go of the pressure to perform. You don’t need to remember angles or practise smiles. Just be present. When you trust the person behind the camera, you give them permission to see the real you and that’s when photographs become timeless. The ones you’ll treasure most won’t necessarily be the perfectly framed shots, but the quiet, honest moments that happened naturally. This will lead to wedding photographs that really stand the test of time. Yo can read more about achieving timeless wedding photos in my blog post ‘How to get wedding photos you’ll still love in 20 years .’
FINAL THOUGHTS
Looking natural in your wedding photos isn’t about technique, it’s about trust, time, and connection. When you choose a photographer who understands that, you’ll not only love your images, you’ll love the experience of creating them.
NATURAL WEDDING PHOTOS FAQS
We’re not great in front of the camera, will that show?
Not at all. Most couples feel nervous at first. The key is working with a photographer who guides gently and creates space for you to be yourselves rather than pose.
Do we need to practise posing before the wedding?
No practice required. Simple prompts like walking together, holding hands, or chatting can be enough. Your connection does the work – not choreography.
What if we don’t want lots of staged portraits?
That’s absolutely fine. A mix of lightly directed portraits and candid photography can capture beauty without feeling forced. You’re in control of how much direction you want.
Should we book an engagement shoot to help us feel more confident?
It can make a big difference. It lets you get comfortable being photographed as a couple and builds trust with your photographer – which makes the wedding photos feel even more natural.
What do we do with our hands in photos?
The easiest answer: hold each other. Touch, closeness and movement look far more natural than formal posing.
SHARE YOUR WEDDING PLANS WITH ME
If you’re planning your wedding and want to chat about how I would capture your day with empathy and creativity, please complete the form below. I’ll be in touch within 24 hours with more information.