How To Feel Comfortable In Your Wedding Photos

Want to feel comfortable in your wedding photos? Afraid it will be difficult or impossible for you? This post has the tips you need.

It’s very normal and common to feel uncomfortable having your photo taken. Many people don’t like the way they look in photos. Or, they may feel awkward in general. Some people have personal beliefs about photos, too. Here’s the thing, though. If you are getting married, there will be photos. And lots of them. Yes, of course, you can have a wedding with literally no photography, but you and I both know that’s highly unlikely.

So let’s talk about how to help you feel comfortable in your wedding photos. Because, my friends, it is possible. All you need is to relax, ease into it, and plan ahead. It’s not going to be easy if it doesn’t come naturally to you, but I promise it’s not that hard, either. At the end of the day, as long as you are comfortable, that’s the most important part.

How To Feel Comfortable In Your Wedding Photos

This post is going to go over how to feel comfortable in your wedding photos. Nothing in this post is rocket science. It’s all common sense. If you are the type of person who is uncomfortable with cameras, each and every tip is likely for you. Of course, you can pick and choose what you are most comfortable with, but if you do them all I promise you’ll be absolutely prepped for your wedding day.

Let’s get into it!

GET TO KNOW YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER AHEAD OF YOUR WEDDING

First things first. At the core of it, being comfortable in your wedding photos starts with trusting your wedding photographer.

And to trust is to know.

What does this mean, exactly? Well, you could hire a photographer who you already have a friendship or relationship with. You can get to know a photographer you don’t know through their work. Perhaps you can look through their libraries of photos and see that they really do know what they are doing. Finding, knowing, and trusting a photographer who you are positive will only take and share photos that make you look incredible is a huge step towards feeling comfortable in your wedding photos.

DO AN ENGAGEMENT PHOTO SHOOT

Oh, the engagement shoot. Some people aren’t a fan, but I have to admit, I am.

Engagement shoots have so many benefits to them, and you can read about them in this post. One of the biggest benefits is that they can help you later on. Going through the exercise of meeting a photographer, posing for photos, ignoring the camera, focusing on your partner, and being the center of attention can desensitize you for your wedding day photos. For some, it may not sound fun, but I promise it will help you feel comfortable in your wedding photos later on.

CHOOSE A PHOTOGRAPHER WHO IS OKAY WITH CANDID PHOTOS

For some, the discomfort of wedding photos has to do with posing. And look, I get it.

Posing can feel very weird.

One way to counteract that weird feeling is to hire a photographer who fades into the background and only takes candid shots. With this type of photographer, you can ignore that they are even there. Plus, they will find the moments you want to remember, rather than a bunch of posed photos that don’t feel authentic. Win, win.

GET IN THE RIGHT MINDSET AND LET GO OF YOUR INSECURITIES

One method to feel comfortable in your wedding photos is to try to get into the right mindset.

I know, easier said than done, right?

To do this, you need to stop and think for a bit. What are you so concerned about? Is it that you don’t like the way you look in photos? Is it that you dislike your smile? Are you concerned about who will see the photos and what they will say?

Let it all go. Remind yourself that you look amazing. Your smile is incredible. And, if you really don’t like the photos, you don’t have to show them to anyone. Think about what it would be like to let it all go and just have fun in the moment. You may surprise yourself with how freeing it feels.

HAVE A FIRST LOOK WITH YOUR FIANCE

In general, first looks will help you let go of any wedding jitters.

Not sure what a first look is? Check out this post.

Here’s the thing with first looks. They give a chance for the vent to blow off a little. I know that sounds weird, but hear me out. Wedding day anxiety is real. There’s a lot happening. For whatever reason, having a private first look with your fiancé helps reduce that anxiety. It blows it into the air, so to speak.

So, have a first look. Let some of that anxiety float into the atmosphere. And then embrace all the photography and events that are to come.

COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

If you know you will feel uncomfortable in your wedding photos, talk to your photographer about it. Simply put, communicate.

I know it may seem awkward to bring it up, but trust me, experienced photographers have heard it all. Just tell your photographer that you don’t love having your photos taken. Or, let them know exactly what you dislike about it. Maybe you’re self-conscious about a certain part of your body, or you really dislike being the center of attention. Just tell your photographer so they can adjust their approach in a way that makes you feel comfortable in your wedding photos.

PRACTICE YOUR SOFT SMILES

This is such a weird suggestion. The soft smile.

You know what I mean, right? There are big, break-your-face-apart smiles. And then there are soft smiles. A simple parting of the lips, subtle brows, happy eyes, and an almost Stepford-wives look to them. Think Barbie, if you will.

Yes, the soft smile. Practice yours well before your wedding. If you don’t know what to do in a photo, just do that.

DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR HANDS DURING PHOTOS

Hands in photos are so awkward. There, I said it.

I mean, men in suits usually place their hands in a pocket. Women in gowns don’t always have that luxury. So, what do you do? Do you hold your own hand? Hold your fiancé’s hand? Maybe hold your flowers? Yes. Hold something. Your photos will look better if you do.

ASK FOR BREAKS FROM PHOTOS

Photo after photo after photo can get exhausting. Combat the exhaustion by giving yourself breaks.

To do this, you can approach it a couple different ways. You can wing it, for example. Find breaks when you can, ask for them, pause, and have a breather. Or, you can plan it. Maybe you have your photographer focus on you for a bit, and then move over to your fiancé. Perhaps you ask your photographer to take a break altogether at a certain point so you can rest from having your picture taken (though, be warned that all your guests will have cameras and will likely take photos, too).

The key here is that you can take breaks, and that you can plan for them. Sometimes a breather will allow you to be more comfortable in your wedding photos after the camera returns.

HAVE A MANTRA OR PRAYER READY IF YOU FEEL ANXIOUS

If you are anxious about having your photos taken, and are sure that anxiety will come up while the camera is present, be prepared with a mantra or prayer.

This is not something that needs to be said out loud. Heck, you don’t even have to tell anyone that you have this saying ready. All you need to do is say it to yourself before the camera starts going, and then think about it while the camera is present.

Make the mantra or prayer encouraging, calming, exciting, whatever works for you.

BREATH BEFORE AND DURING POSED PHOTO SESSIONS

Not sure about a mantra? How about a breath?

Breathing can be an excellent way to calm down and at least appear comfortable. Simply breath in for four counts, hold it, and then let it go for four counts. Pause and repeat as much as you need. Breathing will help center you and make you feel relaxed, which will translate well in your photos later on.

THOUGHTS ON HOW TO FEEL COMFORTABLE IN YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS

Friends, it’s not always easy to feel comfortable in your wedding photos. Many people don’t like cameras or how they look in photos. Some don’t like all the pressure. If you communicate with your photographer, plan ahead, and try to relax, your photos will look amazing and you’ll be glad you took them. Happy wedding planning! 

More On Photography From Hummingbird Wedding Advice 

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13 Tips For Hiring An Awesome Wedding Photographer

Eight Things Your Wedding Photographer Wants You To Know

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