How I Help Couples Relax in Front of the Camera

How I Help Couples Relax in Front of the Camera

Most couples come to me saying the same thing: “We’re not photogenic.” “We feel awkward.” “We hate posing.”

And almost every single one of them leaves the session (or wedding day) saying: “That was actually… really fun.” “We forgot you were even there.” “The photos feel like us.”

Helping people relax in front of the camera is not a technique I learned in school — it’s something I’ve refined over hundreds of real weddings and engagement sessions. Here’s exactly how I do it, step by step, so that you (yes, YOU) can feel comfortable, natural and genuinely happy when the lens is on you.

1. We Start Long Before the Camera Comes Out

The first secret to relaxation is that it begins weeks (or months) before the shoot.

• Quick, warm communication — from the first message I answer fast, personally, without robotic templates. You already feel heard and safe.
• Real consultation — not just “what’s your date?” but “tell me your story, what makes you nervous, what do you love about each other.” When you feel understood, tension drops immediately.
• Engagement session (if possible) — this is the biggest game-changer. A short, low-pressure session lets you experience how gentle and easy the process is. By the wedding, the camera is no longer scary — it’s familiar.

2. I Never Say “Pose”

The word “pose” itself creates tension. So I never use it.

Instead, I give emotional prompts that shift your focus from the camera to each other:

• “Tell her out loud what you love about her the most right now.”
• “Remember the day you realized you wanted to marry her — what did you feel?”
• “Kiss her like it’s the last time you’ll ever see her in this life.”
• “Walk toward me like you’re heading out for dinner together after a long week.”
• “Whisper something only she would understand.”

When your attention is on your partner, not on “where should my hand go?”, your body naturally relaxes, your eyes soften, your smile becomes real. The pose creates itself.

3. I Give You Space to Forget I’m There

The strongest moments happen when you stop noticing the camera.

• I use longer lenses and step back — often 10–15 meters away.
• I move quietly, change positions without announcing.
• I wait for the in-between: the second after a laugh, the moment you exhale, the glance you didn’t plan.

When you forget I’m there, you become yourselves — and that’s when the most beautiful, authentic photos appear.

4. I Normalize Awkwardness (Because It’s Normal)

I always tell couples at the beginning: “The first 10–15 minutes usually feel a little weird. That’s completely normal. Everyone feels it. Then something clicks, and you forget I’m here.”

Naming the awkwardness takes away its power. Most couples laugh when I say it — and that laugh is usually the first real, relaxed moment of the day.

5. I Use Music, Movement and Play

Music instantly changes energy. I ask couples to bring a playlist of songs they love — something that makes them feel good. When their song plays, shoulders drop, smiles appear, bodies move naturally.

Movement helps too:

• Walking instead of standing
• Twirling (if it feels fun)
• Running hand-in-hand through a field
• Playful nudges, tickles, little dances

Movement relaxes the body and creates dynamic, joyful images that feel alive.

6. I’m Your Quiet Support All Day

I’m not just a photographer — I’m your calm presence.

• I fix veil trains, pin boutonnieres, hold bouquets.
• I remind you to drink water when you forget.
• I give a gentle “breathe” when I see tension.
• I celebrate small moments: “You two look incredible right now.”

When you know someone is there to support you (not judge you), you can let go.

7. I Edit for Feeling, Not for “Perfection”

I never airbrush away laugh lines, happy tears, wind-messed hair, or flushed cheeks. Those are the details that make you human — and that’s what makes the photos timeless.

I enhance warmth, depth and natural skin tones — so the emotion stays front and center.

Real Results I See Every Time

• Couples who said “we hate being photographed” end up saying “that was the easiest part of the day.”
• Brides who were terrified of crying in photos cry freely — and love the shots.
• Grooms who “don’t do emotions” quietly tear up during first look — and thank me later for capturing it.

Real relaxation doesn’t come from tricks or posing lessons. It comes from feeling safe, understood, and free to be yourselves.

That’s what I create before the camera even clicks: a space where you can just be two people in love — nothing more, nothing less.

If you’re planning a wedding or engagement session in Edmonton and want to feel relaxed, seen, and genuinely happy in your photos — I’d love to be the one to help you get there. Reach out. We’ll make sure the camera catches the real you — not the “posed” version.