Ginger Films
First, You're Not Alone
Most couples say it: "We're so awkward in photos." Here's the secret. Great wedding photos aren't about posing. They're about feeling.
Why Posing Feels Weird
- You're thinking about how you look, not how you feel
- Stiff instructions ("chin up, turn left") make you freeze
- A crowd is watching
Swap Poses for Prompts
Good photographers don't pose you. They give you something to do:
- Whisper something silly in your partner's ear
- Walk together and forget the camera
- Forehead to forehead, eyes closed, and just breathe
- Tell your partner what you first noticed about them
💡 Tip: If you're doing a pre-wedding shoot, treat it as practice, not a performance. Wear something comfortable, pick a location you both enjoy, and use it to build trust with your photographer. The best pre-wedding shoots produce photos you love AND make you relaxed for the wedding day.
Key takeaway: Real reactions beat perfect angles every time. That's the heart of candid photography.
5 Tips to Feel Natural
- Do a pre-wedding shoot. Treat it as a rehearsal to get comfortable with your photographer.
- Give your hands a job. Hold hands, fix their collar, or hold your dupatta.
- Look at each other, not the lens. The camera will find you.
- Laugh at the awkwardness. That laugh often becomes the best photo.
- Trust your photographer. Let them guide you so you don't have to think.
Tell Your Photographer This
Before the wedding, share:
- Which side you prefer (if you have one)
- What makes you self-conscious
- Moments that matter most to you
- Whether you wear glasses and want them on or off
A good team will work around it quietly.
📋 Quick list: Prompts to try during your couple portraits
- Walk slowly toward each other, then hug when you meet
- One of you stands behind and wraps arms around the other
- Share your favourite inside joke
- Dance together without music, even if you're terrible
- Close your eyes, hold hands, and take three deep breaths together
Remember
Your wedding photos should look like you: the giggles, the glances, the unfiltered joy. You don't need to be a model. You just need to be in love and a little bit yourself, and present in the moment.
Frequently asked questions
How do awkward couples get natural wedding photos?
Focus on feeling, not posing. Good photographers give you prompts, like walking together or sharing a joke, so real reactions come through.
Should we do a pre-wedding shoot?
It helps. Treat it as a relaxed rehearsal to get comfortable with your photographer before the wedding day.
What should I tell my photographer before the wedding?
Your preferred side, what makes you self-conscious, the moments that matter most, and whether you want glasses on or off.
