5 Tips for getting natural wedding photos on your wedding day
Have you ever scrolled through Instagram or other social media and wondered how couples make their wedding day photos look so effortlessly natural? Maybe you worry that you'll look stiff or awkward, or that you won't truly enjoy the photos from the best day of your life. If that sounds like you, you're in the right place. As a wedding photographer serving New Bern and Eastern North Carolina, I aim to make your photos feel like a movie, with natural movement, candid moments, and genuine laughter. If you're dreaming of effortless, true-to-life wedding photos, I've put together a quick guide with 5 ways to ensure natural-looking images you'll cherish for the rest of your life!
1- Choose the photographer who's style you truly love
Planning a wedding on a budget is tough, and it often feels like a constant struggle. If there is one area where I would gladly invest more, it is a high-quality photographer whose style you truly love. Napkins won't last a lifetime, guests will forget the table numbers, and few people will notice the centerpieces. The photos taken on your wedding day, however, are something you will cherish and remember forever. Invest your time in researching photographers thoroughly, and make sure their style is cohesive. Confirm that they can deliver the style and number of photos you truly want, so you can treasure them for years to come. Ask the photographer if they offer a consultation call so you can see how they will guide you on the day of your Wedding. Be sure to go over the timeline and how they manage your day, because the last thing you want is to hire someone who looks like a deer in headlights and leaves you more stressed. As a photographer and someone who got married just last month, I can offer honest feedback from both perspectives: the one behind the camera and the one in the bride's shoes. When I shoot photos, I make sure to cover the timeline and ensure that I fully understand the style the bride and groom want to receive. Do they prefer full color, or would they like black and white incorporated? Do they prefer a candid style, or only posed portraits? These small details matter most when you sit down to fully immerse yourself in your wedding gallery and relive the full day.
2-Focus on EACH OTHER instead of the camera
Focusing on each other is one of the most important parts of your wedding day. Yet many couples get swept up in everything happening around them and the stress of wedding planning, and they forget to embrace the day and enjoy the moment. Many people aren't used to being behind the camera, and that's okay. When it comes to photos, the best thing you can do is live in the moment with your loved one. Take a deep breath, focus on each other, and let the photographer guide you. Don't be afraid to go in for a hug or a little kiss, because those moments often capture the most genuine emotion. When heading into your couples portraits, look for a location far enough from the guests that you won't be distracted and can fully focus on each other. Lastly, have fun with it. Sometimes photographers will use prompts, and you may even have to chase each other. If and when they do, fully embrace it with your loved one. Act like no one is watching, and you'll soon forget about the camera and simply enjoy being together.
3-Build a connection with your Wedding Photographer
One of the most important things in feeling comfortable during your wedding photos is building a good relationship and connection with your photographer. You don't have to meet for coffee every week or follow each other on every social platform, but staying in touch by text, or feeling free to call your photographer about anything related to your wedding day, goes a long way. Stay in communication so you feel confident and prepared heading into your wedding day. Take time to get to know your Photographer beyond their work. Where are they from? Do they have a family? Is there anything you can relate to? You'll often find common ground, because photographers are human too. These small steps don't just help ensure your wedding day unfolds the way you envision it. They also help you feel at ease with the person capturing your memories, which allows you to get the natural, candid photographs that reflect your connection and tell your story.
4- Planning your wedding day timeline
Planning your wedding day timeline is one of the most important steps brides can take to ensure their day runs smoothly. Most people forget that the photographer needs a timeline too. When you create your general wedding day timeline, make a separate one just for your photographer and send it to them before the wedding so they know exactly where you want them to be throughout the day. This saves you from answering questions on the day that you may not have even considered, which could otherwise cause stress. A photographer timeline ensures everything flows smoothly without having to repeat instructions, because the photographer already knows what comes next. This leaves you free to stay present in the moment and embrace your love, helping to ensure natural-looking wedding photos.
5- Trusting your photographer and embracing the day
Above all, trust your photographer and allow yourself to be present on your wedding day. If you follow the steps I've outlined, choosing a photographer whose style you love, building a good connection with them, creating a clear timeline, and embracing the working relationship, you should have no doubt in your photographer and can relax on the big day. If wedding planning gets hectic and you don't have time to plan every detail, don't worry. An experienced wedding photographer has a strong sense of how a day unfolds from the weddings they've shot previously. Even if you don't create a detailed timeline, your photographer will likely have a good general idea of where you'd like them to be throughout the day. You do not have to have every moment planned perfectly in order for your photographer to capture your story beautifully. Give yourself permission to let go of perfection, embrace the unexpected, and simply enjoy being married. Often, the most meaningful photographs come from the moments you never planned.
Your wedding day deserves to feel like you
When you look back at your images, you won't be focused on every fine detail. What you'll feel is the moment itself: the joy and raw emotion you shared on your wedding day. You don't need to know how to pose, which lighting works best, or which location to choose. That's what your wedding photographer is for. Focus on each other, and I'll guide you through the day and capture the moments you'll want to treasure for years to come.
If you're planning a wedding in New Bern, anywhere in Eastern North Carolina, or beyond, I'd love to hear your vision for your special day and help bring your story to life. Let's create something uniquely yours. I look forward to chatting with you!
Inquire with Ava Grace Creative below to begin planning your wedding photography experience.
Lets tell your story
I'd love to hear about the vision you have in mind: the beautiful location you're considering, and whether you're planning an intimate celebration or a full day surrounded by the people you love. Share your plans below, and I'll be in touch soon!