Why Looking Natural Matters
Your wedding day is one of the most photographed days of your life. It is filled with big emotions, little glances, and moments you will want to relive for decades. But if the thought of being in front of a camera makes you feel awkward or stiff, you are not alone. Almost every couple I work with tells me they are “not models” or that they feel a bit camera shy.
The good news? You do not need to be a model to look natural and relaxed in your wedding photos. As a Sydney wedding photographer who has captured hundreds of weddings across the Hunter Valley, South Coast and Southern Highlands, I have learned that the best images happen when couples feel comfortable, connected, and present.
In this guide, I am sharing my seven proven tips to look and feel like yourselves in front of the camera. These are the exact techniques I use with my couples to create photographs that feel effortless, authentic, and beautiful.
1. Get Comfortable with Your Photographer
The first step to looking natural in your wedding photos is building trust with your photographer. You should feel like you can be yourselves around them. When there is trust, you can relax, and that relaxation comes through in every image.
How to build that comfort:
- Book an engagement session so you can get used to being photographed together before the big day.
- Have a pre-wedding consultation to talk through your personalities, relationship, and what makes you comfortable.
- Share your worries. If you feel awkward about a certain angle or pose, tell your photographer.
Example:
One of my couples, admitted during their engagement shoot that they hated standing still for posed photos. I encouraged them to walk hand-in-hand, chat about their honeymoon, and make each other laugh. By the time their wedding day arrived, they felt like I was a friend with a camera, and their portraits radiated ease.
2. Move, Don’t Pose
Stiffness often comes from standing still for too long. Movement creates flow and natural expressions. Instead of holding a static pose, I give my couples simple prompts that get them moving and interacting.
Easy movement ideas:
- Walk toward the camera while talking about your favourite date night.
- Spin each other around like you are dancing in the kitchen.
- Brush hair away from each other’s face or adjust a jacket.
Example:
During a Hunter Valley wedding, I had the couple slowly walk along a vineyard row while sharing what they were most excited about for married life. They laughed, squeezed hands, and forgot the camera was even there. The photos captured pure joy and connection.
3. Use Natural Touch
Where you place your hands can completely change the feel of an image. Natural touch makes photos warmer and more intimate. Instead of hanging by your sides, use your hands to connect with each other.
Tips for natural touch:
- Rest your hand gently on your partner’s cheek or jawline.
- Wrap both arms around each other’s waist.
- Hold hands loosely and swing them as you walk.
Example:
At a South Coast beach wedding, the wind was wild, and the bride’s hair kept blowing across her face. Instead of stopping to fix it perfectly, her groom softly brushed it back while smiling at her. It made for one of my favourite candid portraits.
4. Focus on Each Other, Not the Camera
Some of the most natural photos happen when you forget the camera exists. I often ask my couples to look at each other instead of me, so they can focus on the moment.
Ways to stay connected:
- Whisper something only they can hear.
- Think about the moment you first met.
- Share your favourite thing about the other person.
Example:
During a Southern Highlands first look, I had the couple close their eyes, hold hands, and think about the exact moment they knew they were in love. When they opened their eyes, the emotion on their faces was completely real, no pose could have created that.
5. Choose the Right Timeline
Rushed photos rarely feel relaxed. When planning your timeline, make sure you have enough time for portraits so you are not stressed or checking the clock.
Tips for a relaxed schedule:
- Add buffer time between events.
- Consider a first look so you can do portraits before the ceremony.
- Choose locations that are easy to move between.
Example:
At a Sydney city wedding, the couple built in an extra 20 minutes for portraits between the ceremony and reception. That small buffer meant they could have a quiet moment together on the balcony, overlooking the harbour, while I captured some of their most romantic shots of the day.
6. Let Go of Perfection
Some of the most magical images happen when things do not go exactly to plan. Wind, rain, or spontaneous laughter can create moments that feel alive and real.
Mindset shifts:
- Embrace the imperfect.
- Laugh at the unexpected.
- Remember that feeling is more important than flawlessness.
Example:
I once photographed a Hunter Valley wedding where the bride’s veil blew off mid-ceremony. Instead of panicking, she and her groom burst into laughter. That moment became one of their favourite images, a true reflection of their personalities.
7. Trust the Process
Your photographer’s experience matters. They know how to guide you, when to step back, and when to step in with direction. Trust that they have your best interests at heart.
Why trust matters:
- You can focus on your day instead of the logistics.
- You will relax more, knowing you are in good hands.
- Your photos will reflect your real connection.
Example:
After shooting over 8 years of weddings, I can read when a couple needs a little direction and when they just need space to be together. That intuition is what keeps your photos feeling natural.
Final Thoughts
Looking natural in your wedding photos is not about being photogenic or knowing how to pose. It is about feeling comfortable, connecting with your partner, and trusting your photographer to capture those real moments.
If you are planning your wedding in Sydney, the Hunter Valley, South Coast, or Southern Highlands and want photographs that feel like you, I would love to chat.
Ready to plan your wedding photography?
If you want photos that tell the story of your day from the very beginning, let’s chat about your plans. I will walk you through everything from your morning timeline to the final dance, so you can feel confident that every memory will be preserved.
Check your date and book your consultation here
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