Most couples are not professional models. When a camera is pointed at you, the natural reaction is often to freeze up, force a smile, and wonder, “What do I do with my hands?” On the other hand, you don’t want a photographer who barks orders at you all day, turning your wedding into a photoshoot rather than a celebration.
A common question I get from couples who want natural photos is: Do you direct people during the photos? The answer is a balanced Yes. I provide the guidance you need to look your best, without stifling the genuine emotion of the moment. This post explains Adrian Bonet Photography’s approach to directing—knowing when to step in and when to step back.
Do not let logistics stress you out. Secure a photographer who knows the area inside and out. Contact Adrian Bonet Photography to check availability for your venue today.
Index
Gentle Guidance vs. Strict Posing
Directing the Couple: Prompts Over Poses
Taking Charge for Group Shots
The “Hands-Off” Approach for Candids
Final Thoughts
Gentle Guidance vs. Strict Posing
The Middle Ground
There is a spectrum in photography. On one end is the “fly on the wall” who never speaks to you; on the other is the fashion photographer who micromanages every finger. I sit comfortably in the middle. I believe you need some direction to look your best (posture, light, angles), but that direction should feel like a conversation, not a command.
Confidence Through Direction
My goal is to give you enough direction that you forget you are being photographed. By giving you something to do or focus on, I remove the anxiety of the “blank slate.” You will never be left standing there awkwardly wondering if you are doing it right.
Directing the Couple: Prompts Over Poses
Action-Based Prompts
During your couple portraits, I rarely say “stand there and smile.” Instead, I use action-based prompts. I might ask you to “walk towards me while bumping hips,” “snuggle in close and take a deep breath,” or “whisper your favorite vegetable in her ear in a sexy voice.”
Creating Real Reactions
These prompts are designed to elicit a reaction. When you laugh at how silly the prompt is, that is the photo I take. When you take a deep breath and relax into your partner’s shoulder, that is the moment I capture. I direct the action, but the emotion that follows is 100% you.
Taking Charge for Group Shots
The Director’s Chair
There is one time during the day when I become very directive: Family Formals. When trying to organize 20 family members, being passive doesn’t work. For these 20-30 minutes, I take charge to ensure efficiency.
Polished Professionalism
During group shots, I will be vocal. I will tell the tall groomsmen to move to the back, I will remind your uncle to button his jacket, and I will tell the bridesmaids to hold their bouquets lower. This detailed direction ensures everyone looks polished and the group looks cohesive, so we can get the shot quickly and get you back to the party.
The “Hands-Off” Approach for Candids
Observational Mode
For the majority of the day—the ceremony, the cocktail hour, the speeches, and the dancing—I turn the direction off completely. I switch into documentary mode. I will not stop you in the middle of a hug to ask you to do it again in better light.
Preserving the Moment
I believe that interrupting a moment destroys it. If you are crying during a speech, I want to capture that raw emotion, not a staged version of it. During these times, my job is to anticipate where the action is happening and capture it artistically without you even noticing I am there.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a professional model to get magazine-worthy wedding photos. You just need a photographer who knows how to guide you.
When you hire Adrian Bonet Photography, you get the best of both worlds: a strong director when you need to be organized, a gentle guide when you need to be romantic, and an invisible observer when you just need to be yourself.