Look Natural: 4 Easy Tips To Strike Non-Posey Poses In Your Wedding Photos

Wedding photography is such a key component of the big day, no matter what version of ‘big day’ you have – whether you’re an opulent traditionalist, a minimal modernist or anywhere in between. The photos from that day have the important responsibility of telling the story of your love to any and everyone who sees them. This is why I’ve put together, what I believe, are some really helpful tips on how to pose during your wedding photoshoot.

If we’re being honest though, this can also be one of the more stressful parts because having to strike a pose, especially wedding poses, can feel wholly unnatural to most. What do you do with your hands? How long do you hold the smile? Should you tilt your head, or pretend to laugh so it’s more natural? 

The questions can feel endless and loop through your mind throughout the day. And on your big day, worrying about how to look your best in wedding photos shouldn’t be the thing consuming your thoughts. Here’s a helpful guide with my top four tips that will give you a breakdown on how to not look awkward in your wedding photos, and to be able to actually enjoy the moment, and look natural while doing it! 

4 Easy Tips To Strike Non-Posey Poses In Your Wedding Photos

1. Don’t Take It Too Seriously, And Remember To Breathe 

I know that sounds easier said than done, but the truth is that so many people come in overthinking the moment, that they tend to miss the moment completely. No wedding photo will ever come out perfect, but the ones that come the closest to achieving perfection tend to be the ones where you clearly felt natural taking them. 

Remember to enjoy each other in those moments. One of my biggest tips when it comes to not taking it too seriously would be to take a few moments together before the session starts to really make space with each other. To breathe together. You’ll find that taking that little time together before the session begins can really make a difference. 

A difference that translates to photos that look and feel effortless. Which is exactly how you want them to look – and – exactly how you want the session to feel. 

2. Imagine You’re Somewhere Else 

Okay, this one might sound a bit wonky at first but bear with me. When I say imagine you’re somewhere else, I don’t mean pretend you’re both scuba diving off the coast – although feel free to, if that’s what works! What I mean is pretend you’re on a date together. Pretend this is a time when you’re still in the early stages of your courtship, and you’re fun and flirty. Telling jokes, being goofy, and again, not taking it all too seriously really gives you the ability to do the one thing we wish all subjects could do. 

Forget the camera is there. Long gone are the days of “say cheese” and point-and-shoot wedding poses. There’s been a shift away from that sort of traditional normative and stiff wedding photoshoot poses and cookie-cutter backgrounds are now becoming a thing of the past. 

3. Let’s Take A Long Walk 

There’s something so naturally peaceful about walking hand in hand with your partner. It helps the rest of the world melt away because you only have each other to focus on. This means that the photographer stealthily snapping photos around you melts away as well, giving your pictures that absolutely natural, unposed look that we’re striving for. It gives us the opportunity to capture you in a way that feels complimentary to who you are as a couple. 

This is another great time to be able to pretend you’re on a first date and let go of all the inhibitions you may have been holding on to. Imagine you’re on an epic adventure together – it’s just the two of you and no one is judging you if you’re silly, goofy or walking along a trail full of wide-eyed wonder together. It unlocks a whole other kind of wedding photography that will act as a time capsule for the moments leading up to your special day. 

4. Public Displays Are Affection Are In 

I’m not sure what the advice columnists would say about my last helpful hint, but where I stand, public displays of affection are in! Pulling your partner in for a passionate kiss, keeping your hands all over each other (in as PG a way as possible, for posterity’s sake) is a proven way to melt off a lot of the skittishness or anxiety that comes with wedding day photoshoots. If all else fails and you have no idea what to do, just give each other a nice big hug and everything will be OK!

There they are! My 4 tips will hopefully assist you and yours in creating and capturing your best wedding memories, and all the moments leading up to it! With that said though, I have one extra hint…

Bonus: The Right Photographer Is Everything 

Now that we’ve gone through my main four tips, I wanted to give you my bonus 5th tip. The right photographer can truly make or break the kind of photos you end up with. Not because of lighting, aperture or the ability to keep up with you on your journey. It’s about finding a photographer who is just as invested in your story as you are. Finding someone who can make you feel comfortable with them because that translates directly to you feeling comfortable enough to take the pictures that feel best for you. 

This is why I encourage you to reach out to me so we can begin getting to know each other. I became a wedding photographer because I’ve been in your shoes, and I know how much it means to have a photographer that cares. I look forward to finding out more about your love story, and how we can work together to tell it through photography!