How To Look Good In Your Wedding Photos

Wedding Photographer Christchurch
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How to Look Good in Wedding Photos | Natural & Uncheesy Tips

Black and white wedding photography: Bride and groom walking through a backlit mountain field at Lindisfarne venue in South Canterbury.
Worried about not looking good in your wedding pictures? Concerned about looking corny, awkward, or just plain terrible instead of happy, genuine, and in love?
Having a massive camera pointed at you is anything but normal. It is completely natural to freeze up or feel nervous about your photos. After all, you are investing in memories from a unique day that you can never re-do. You want to be certain you get good-looking photos full of fun.
The good news is, learning how to look good in wedding photos isn’t your job—it is mine. You do not need to memorize complicated poses, put on a show, or act like someone you are not.
When you choose me as your photographer, I will handle the angles and guide you through the process. I am not going to lie: the first two minutes will probably feel a little awkward! Accept that feeling and move forward. I promise it disappears quickly once we get moving.
To get beautiful, unforced results, we focus on simple, natural habits:
  • Keep Moving: Walk hand-in-hand, look back at each other, and let your bodies settle into a comfortable, dynamic rhythm.
  • Focus on Each Other: Talk, joke, and whisper. This instantly breaks tension and brings out spontaneous smiles.
  • Trust the Process: Leave the performance behind so you can stay fully present in the moment.

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1. Even though it might seem obvious, you should hire a skilled photographer.​

Find a trustworthy person whose work you admire! They’ll know how to pose you and give you instructions that highlight all your best sides. Look through their work and see if you can find couples that look similar to you in body shape, how are they photographed? If you’re concerned, ask your photographer how much editing they usually do. Some photographers only color correct their work, others will happily do some light airbrushing etc.

Consider sending your photographer a few of:

  • your favorite images of the two of you together. This will make it easier for the photographer to understand what you consider to be a “good photo” of you. Although we are often our own harshest judges, it’s ok to care deeply about our appearance! This will provide a reference image for your photographer of how you prefer to be captured.
  •  your favourite inspo photos you’ve found online (best if the photos feature couples with similar height and weight ratios to yourselves).
 

2. Do an engagement session.

You will become more at ease with your photographer and in front of the camera as a result. When you see how the pictures turn out (and hopefully they’ll blow you away), you’ll be able to unwind. You’ll become familiar with the poses and be able to enjoy being married without worrying about whether you’ll love the images on your wedding day.

I love shooting engagement sessions and include discounted sessions for my wedding clients. I ask you to favourite the photos in your engagement gallery so I know what kind of photos you like.

3. Let me know anything you're self-conscous about.

If you have any concerns about your looks, posture, facial expressions, or anything else of the sort, please let me know. Let me know if you have “a better side”.

Even though talking about your insecurities about your appearance can feel awkward or conceited, it is far preferable to be upfront about them. I can tell you straight up that I wish my eyebrows were a little straighter sometimes, hehe!

I constantly work to minimize anything you’re self-conscious about. But unless you tell me, I would never assume that you don’t like something about your appearance!

Annalise&NicBlackie-AgnesGracePhoto (32)
Modern bride and groom pouring a celebratory wedding champagne tower at Welder Events Christchurch.
Fine art bridal portrait: Soft, close-up profile of a bride holding flowers inside a historic European castle.

4. Posing

This is something that your photographer should be in charge of, tho I always love it when couples just try stuff. It’s crucial to pick a photographer that can get candid shots while also finding the most flattering positions for couples to look their best.

  • Your smile will appear more genuine and less corny if you smile with your mouth slightly open.     
  • Make each other smile. Be silly to obtain genuine laughs—you’ll be able to tell the difference! 
  • When laughing, lean slightly forward to prevent a double chin.   
  • A small gap between your arm and torso is more attractive and slimming than pressing your arms firmly against your body.

5. Connection Points

Throw a hand around your partner, whenever it is hanging by your side. Depending on where it naturally rests, you might lay it on their arm, waist, back, hips, shoulder, caress their cheek, or neck.

Make an effort to connect with your spouse as frequently as you can. Most of the time, we will make at least one point of touch, which may be as easy as holding hands.
You’ll appear more connected and in love if you have more points of contact and the closer your bodies are – usually!

6. Ignore me - a little anyway

Ignoring the camera entirely is one of the best things you can do sometimes, especially for the documentary-style photography I enjoy the most (and I’m assuming you do, too!)

I realize it’s difficult to ignore someone who is blatantly taking photos of you with a big camera. Especially while you’re expressing emotions, kissing, and other PDAs. Just keep your attention on your partner and your day. Additionally, it might be helpful no visitors are close, taking shots with their cameras. Unless of course you don’t care. 😉

Candid sunset wedding photos: Happy bride and groom smiling and embracing in a natural setting in Christchurch, NZ
Candid outdoor wedding photography: Bride and groom embracing warmly under a classic garden gazebo.
Annabelle&Caleb-AgnesGracePhoto&Film (42)

7. have fun

Don’t stress about strictly sticking to my “instructions.” The poses themselves are not what matters.

It will result in more genuine images if you feel comfortable expressing yourself. You don’t have to stand absolutely motionless for your wedding photos, in fact I try to incorporate lots of movement. Try to relax and continue moving. Laugh, talk, giggle and have fun. Nothing is off the table, there is no need to feel self-conscious. My favourite photos are always those where couples just have fun together.

We are not trying to make you look like supermodels and  it’s important to me that you appear and feel like yourself, just the best version of yourself – the beauty that most cameras miss.. So take it easy, let your photographer handle everything, and let them lead you through the process of getting natural, uncheesy wedding photos. with lots of spontaneous smiles.

Finally, remember that….you’re finally married! That’s fantastic! So take in every moment and breathe deeply. Enjoy this time and be present, because that will always translate on camera!  Photos remind us not only of a moment, but also of how we felt at the time! What was it like to marry someone you adored so much? Someone you’d put your life in the hands of? Someone you can’t wait to see in the morning? That is why a picture is truly worth a thousand words!  When you look back on your photos, you will see more than just photos of you getting married. You’ll see love, excitement and the depth of your devotion to one another.

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Let's Plan Your Relaxed Wedding Gallery

Beautiful, authentic wedding imagery starts with feeling completely like yourself. If you want a stress-free experience on your wedding day in Canterbury, Otago, or beyond, I am here to guide you every single step of the way.Let's make sure your memories are captured honestly, beautifully, and completely free of awkward posing.

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CANTERBURY, OTAGO AND NZ WIDE. OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS AVAILABLE