How to Feel Comfortable in Front of the Camera on Your Wedding Day (When You're Convinced You're Awkward)

Reality check.

Can I let you in on a little secret?

Almost every single couple who enquires with me tells me they're awkward.

They don't know what to do with their hands.

They hate having their photo taken.

They're "not photogenic".

They're convinced they're going to make this weird.

And every single time I think...

"Mate, you have absolutely no idea how fucking awesome you are."

Because the people who love you aren't looking at you the way you look at yourself.

And that's what this is really about.

We're all a bit shit at seeing our real selves.

We spend years noticing the things we'd change.

The smile that's never ‘soft’ and just all teeth and gums.

The chin we don't love.

The laugh that feels too loud.

The way our hair never bloody behaves.

Meanwhile...

Your partner looks at you like you're magic.

Your mates think you're hilarious.

Your family (by blood or chosen) sees the person they love more than anything.

They're not keeping score of your insecurities.

They're just seeing... you.

And honestly?

I think that's pretty bloody special.

Stop trying to look perfect.

Seriously.

Nobody remembers perfect.

They remember how you made people feel.

The way you threw your head back laughing.

The hug that lasted a little longer than expected.

The tears during your vows.

The absolute chaos on the dance floor.

That's your wedding.

Not whether your veil sat perfectly all day.

Nobody has ever regretted laughting too much in their wedding photos

The best photos happen when you FORGET about the photos.

That's why I don't spend all day barking poses at you.

I'd much rather send you off for a wander.

Tell each other a terrible joke.

Grab a sneaky drink.

Hold hands.

Talk about what the hell just happened because... holy shit... you're married.

Those little moments?

They're everything.

Because they're yours.

You do not need to know how to pose…

Honestly?

Pose is just another four letter word as far I’m concerned.

This is not a performance.

I'm not there to turn you into models.

I'm there to create enough space for you to forget I'm photographing you.

Sometimes I'll give you a little direction.

Sometimes I'll crack a terrible joke.

Sometimes I'll simply disappear and let the moment unfold.

My couples aren't thinking,

"Is this my good side?"

They're usually thinking,

"Wow - this is so much more fun than I thought it would be - Anna is so cool!!" ( ;) )

or..
“ Did Uncle Steve seriously just do that?”

And those are always the better photos.

Here's what I actually want for you.

I don't want you to open your gallery and think,

"Thank God she got my good side."

I want you to stop halfway through scrolling and say,

"Fuck... that's us."

Not because you looked perfect.

Because you looked happy.

Because you looked completely wrapped up in each other.

Because you forgot to worry about what your face was doing.

Because you were too busy living one of the best days of your life.

I want you to see yourselves the way everyone else already does.

I want you to see the version your partner fell in love with.

The version your friends adore.

The version that's funny.

Kind.

A little bit weird.

Ridiculously in love.

The version that's always been there...

But your inner critic has been talking over for years.

If my photos do one thing, I hope it's this.

I hope they quiet that voice.

Even just for a moment.

So you can finally see what everyone else has been seeing all along.

That's my job.

Sure, I take photos.

But that's not really what I do.

I notice the stuff you don't.

The squeeze of a hand.

The look across the room.

The deep belly laugh.

The quiet little breath before you walk down the aisle.

The way people look at you when you aren't looking back.

Because that's where your story lives.

Not in perfect poses.

In real moments.

Bottom line…

You ARE going to feel uncomfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day.
And that’s OK.
And it won’t be for the whole day.
Because before long, you'll stop thinking about the camera and start thinking about the person you're marrying.

You'll laugh.

You'll cry.

You'll hug your favourite people.

You'll get completely swept up in one of the best days of your life.

And somewhere in amongst all of that, I'll quietly be doing my thing.

Not looking for perfection.

Looking for you.

So that when you get your gallery back, you don't just see a collection of beautiful photos.

You see yourselves the way everyone else already does.

And to let everyone see your true selves, being your true selves.