Don't worry, it's normal to be nervous! Handling being camera-shy on your wedding day.

Two of our clients who were "nervous" of cameras, looking amazing / 2024.

Time to be honest — not everyone loves being in front of the camera. If the thought of posing for wedding photos makes you cringe, you are definitely not alone.

As a seasoned wedding photographer, I’ve worked with all kinds of people — from natural-born posers (you know who you are...) to clients who swear they're allergic to the lens . Here’s the truth: being camera-shy doesn’t mean your photos won’t turn out beautifully. In fact, it is often the decisive moments of joy, in which you are focussing on anything other than the camera, that we create our best work.

So if you or your partner have an awkward relationship with cameras, here are my favourite tips — both fun and practical — to help you relax, enjoy the moment, and get stunning photos that actually feel like you.

James & Rob, caught in laughter / 2025.

1. Let’s Get to Know Each Other First

I always encourage a pre-wedding photoshoot, infact, most of my packages come instilled with one. This is a brilliant and fun method for us to get to know eachother better, while also showing you how "scary" a camera really is. These shoots help couples understand that a photographer isn't a souless droid, but a person! Full of awful one-liners and useful guidance. By getting to know your photographer, you'll see them as more of a familiar face on your wedding day, and less as a lens.

2. You Don’t Have to “Pose” — You Just Have to Be Present

Forget stiff poses and forced smiles. My approach is to guide you gently rather than pose you like mannequins. I’ll give you small, but useful prompts, actions, and little things to do together. Some of my favourite activities to do with couples is to get somebody to whisper in another persons ear, or to think of your significant others funniest moment.

The most precious photos often occur between these actions. When glimpses of your love show in the laughs. Cracks of your guard slowly lowering, as your focus shifts to what matters - your partner. That's the magic.

3. Build In Buffer Time (a.k.a. No Rushing = No Panic)

Tight schedules = stress. And stress = photos you’re not happy with.

Let’s plan your timeline together so that we carve out calm pockets of time for portraits. I promise — it’s not about spending hours away from your guests. Often, 20 - 25 secluded minutes are more than enough to capture beautiful portraits. Often, we come up with fun, abstract photos that include your guests - so nobody is left out of the fun!

4. Turn the Lens on Your Relationship — Not on You

It's your wedding, focus on your partner - not the lens! If you are feeling especially anxious, you probably turn to your partner for comfort. You can do the same thing here! People often forget that body language doesn't lie. When a couple embrace eachother, you see physical signs of relaxation and expressions of passion, these subconscious movements make for some of the most beautiful photos.

5. Trust the Process (and Your Photographer!)

You don’t have to know your angles, worry about where your hands go, or how your smile looks. That’s my job. The only thing I need you to focus on, is your partner (and maybe your kids, who sometimes join us for photo sessions!). If you focus on your love, we will see it.

Remember, I've done this a LOT. Photography is my love language, so you can ensure that I will put every ounce of passion I have into your photos.

6. Lean Into the Laughter

Sometimes, you're going to feel awkward. If you do, just say-so! It is always funny. We can have a nervous laugh, and get straight back to the images! Smiles and laughter are contagious, even through photos. Some of the best work I have produced is when I caputre brides and grooms saying "what have we gotten ourselves into?" - your photographer will always have a couple of one-liners ready to fire. Whether they're funny or not is another subject...

Nervous? Let me tell you an awful joke! / 2025.

Final Thought: You Don’t Need to Be Photogenic — You Just Need to Be You

Your wedding photos aren’t about being perfect. They’re about being real. Moments on unfiltered joy that crack through the facade of social media, showing the raw, true love between yourself and your partner.

So if the idea of being in front of the camera keeps you up at night, take a breath. You’ve got this!

Focus on your wedding day and your partner — I’ll take care of the rest. 📸❤️