MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR PORTRAIT SESSION
It’s easy to think that the most important thing in your portrait session is how you look.
Spoiler alert – it’s not! It is in fact ALL about how you feel.
If you’re relaxed and enjoying yourself, you’re photos will be a reflection of that. I know, it’s easier said than done and nothing brings out our insecurities more than having a camera up on our faces. Here are a few tips to help you move through the nerves and create some beautiful photos of the two of you.
TIP 1
EMBRACE THE AWKWARD
Let’s all take a moment to agree that having your photo taken IS awkward. Yes, it will feel a little awkward to start with. I’m not expecting you to feel anything other than awkward, so please don’t worry.
TIP 2
BE PRESENT
It is so easy to caught up in our heads, thinking about how awkward we look, or how inconsiderate it was of your bridesmaid/ best man to be late, or what you’re going to eat for dinner – you know where I’m going. Great photos are a reflection of the moment, so for the few minutes we’re taking photos I need you to be all in. Trust me, the rest will follow.
TIP 3
STAY CONNECTED
What do I do with my hands? Is such a common question. Use them is always my answer. Give them a job – ideally use them to connect with your partner. The more points of connection you have the more intimate and connected your photos will look. Practice noticing how many points of connection you share whilst sitting on the sofa – see if you can make any subtle adjustments to increase them.
TIP 4
GET CLOSE
Get in close, closer, even closer – yep you got it!
TIP 5
DON’T LOOK AT ME!
We’re so used to looking directly at cameras and smiling. You really don’t need to do this on your portrait shoot. Focus on your partner, and if you’re not sure where to look just look down.
Sarah and Justin // Walcot Hall Wedding, Shropshire
In the book, How to be a Woman, Caitlin Moran suggests that we’ve got the whole wedding thing the wrong way round. That “surely we would decide to throw a gigantic […] celebration of love right at the end of the whole thing, when we’re in our sixties and seventies,...
Laura and Gaith // Shustoke Barn Wedding, Warwickshire
Laura and Gaith got married last Sunday at one of my all-time favourite wedding venues, Shustoke Barn. I adore this place and these two. Every single thing about their day made me want to get married all over again. It filled my heart with joy and my tummy with the...