How To Look Nature In Your Wedding Photos

One of the most common concern when it comes to your wedding day is that you are afraid you won’t look natural, and you won’t feel like yourself. Or couples are afraid that their photos will feel stiff and look staged, but everyone photoshoot will eventually fall into a rhythm. Here are a few tips on how to look natural and enjoy the experience of your wedding photos.

Tip #1 - Movement Is Key

Chances are you are going to feel nervous before the first picture is event taken, that’s why movement will help you breeze through the warm up phase of your shoot. It will also distract you, and it’s hard to look too posed or stiff when you are moving naturally. It might feel silly to skip or run, but it will undoubtedly make you laugh at each other. That’s the moment, a seemingly small moment, when all of the joy and emotions of your wedding day will bubble up.

Tip #2 - The First Look

Many are concerned that they won’t react in the right way to the first look with their partner. Here is some advice from a seasoned photographer: this is very likely the most beautiful your beloved will ever feel, and all they want to see is that reflected from you. Take the time to truly be present in this moment, and just be with each other. Let your emotions rise to the surface and show - you can cry, laugh, or embrace. Nerves are a very genuine part of seeing your partner for the first time on your wedding day - don’t fight the nerves. Let them happen!

Tip #3 - Share Your Concerns

Don’t hide your concerns from your photographer, if you are feeling nervous let them know. They will be happy to make a game plan that will distract you from your nerves and re-direct you to what’s most important on your wedding day. You will feel better knowing that they’re ready for you!

Tip #4 - Allow For Imperfections

In the staged world of Instagram, it is more and more important to encourage and protect meaningful, authentic wedding day interactions. There is nothing wrong with fabricated moments - and I think as a generation that consumes media, we all know them when we see them. A fabricated moment might be something beautiful that you pinned on Pinterest or even an image you held in your imagination as “THE ONE THING” you wanted out of your photos on your wedding day. That’s ok.

Here comes the advice and some gentle pleading - don’t stage all of your wedding photos. Years from now, when you are looking at your photos and reminiscing about your wedding day, you should be able to recognize the gestures that are specific to you and your relationship. Your photographer can draw out little nuggets that make your relationship unique such as your relationship history, inside jokes, and nicknames for each other.

Tip #5 - React

Here is all you have to do to make your wedding photos natural: REACT. Your photographer will guide you, you just need to be real with each other, say the things you want to say. These will be some of your favorite photos because when you see them you will KNOW without a doubt that they are genuine. You will likely remember what you were saying to each other at that special time.

Tip #6 - Don’t Rush and Be Present

Many couples will find themselves in the role of event planners as they piece together their day and it’s difficult to turn that off when the actually wedding day arrives. The mindset has been on getting things done and checking off the to-do list for so long it is hard, and takes real intention to stop and be present.

With all the things that happen on a wedding day, you will probably be worried about getting back to your guests and making sure everything runs on time. Let your photographer and your actual planner worry about that, and try to focus on each other. There are no do-overs and you owe it to yourselves to enjoy this part!

Thank You To Vendors:

Photography: Joleen Willis

Venue: Venticello

Hair: Beauty By Kelsey Lane

Models: Captured Colour Weddings Lety & David

Caterer: Lila and Sage

Rentals: Standard Event Rentals

Dress: The Bridal Vault

Florals: Sweet Lilacs Studio