Let’s be honest: unless you are a professional model, having a camera pointed at you for eight hours straight can feel intimidating. Most of us freeze up when a lens appears. We don’t know what to do with our hands, our smiles feel forced, and we worry about looking awkward in the photos that are supposed to define our legacy.
I want you to know that this is completely normal. In fact, “What if we are camera shy?” is one of the most common questions I receive. My answer is simple: It is not your job to be photogenic; it is my job to make you feel comfortable. This post explains the techniques Adrian Bonet Photography uses to turn nervousness into confidence, ensuring your photos look natural, relaxed, and effortlessly beautiful.
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
You Don’t Need to Be a Model
Movement Over Posing
Focus on Connection, Not the Camera
The Power of Candid Photography
Final Thoughts
You Don’t Need to Be a Model
Removing the Pressure
The first step to looking great in photos is realizing you don’t need to know how to pose. That is the photographer’s responsibility. I never leave my couples standing there wondering what to do. I provide guidance every step of the way, but I do it in a way that feels organic rather than rigid.
The “Un-Posed” Approach
My goal is to capture you, not a stiff version of you. I avoid the “chin up, shoulder down, freeze” style of direction. Instead, I create scenarios where you can interact naturally. By taking the focus off the “pose” and putting it on the action, the stiffness disappears, and your natural body language takes over.
Movement Over Posing
Walk, Talk, and Breathe
Static poses are where awkwardness lives. Movement is the cure. During our portrait sessions, I will rarely ask you to stand still. Instead, I will ask you to walk towards me, to dance, to sway, or to walk away holding hands. Movement loosens up the body, relaxes the facial muscles, and creates dynamic, energetic images that look like they were caught in the moment rather than staged.
Prompting vs. Posing
Instead of telling you exactly where to put your fingers, I use “prompts.” I might ask you to “whisper your favorite food order in her ear in a sexy voice” or “bump hips while you walk.” These prompts usually result in genuine laughter and real smiles, which are infinitely more beautiful than a “say cheese” smile.
Focus on Connection, Not the Camera
The Safety Bubble
The best advice I give my couples is to ignore me and look at each other. When you focus on your partner—the person you love most in the world—your guard comes down. I encourage you to stay in your own little “safety bubble.” Hold hands, look into each other’s eyes, and focus on the emotion of the day.
Capturing the “In-Between”
Often, the best shots happen in the seconds between the poses. It’s the moment after you kiss when you both giggle, or the way he brushes hair out of your face. I keep shooting through these moments because that is when you are most relaxed and most “you.”
The Power of Candid Photography
Invisible Documentation
Remember that for 90% of the wedding day, you won’t even notice I am there. My working style is unobtrusive and documentary. During the ceremony, the toasts, and the dance party, I am capturing candid moments from a distance. You don’t need to perform for the camera; you just need to live your day.
Authentic Emotion
When you look back at your gallery, you won’t remember feeling awkward; you will see the joy on your face when you saw your friends, or the tear in your eye during the vows. Because my style prioritizes storytelling over perfection, the result is a gallery that feels authentic, not manufactured.
Final Thoughts
Being camera shy is a feeling, not a life sentence. With the right photographer, that anxiety can be transformed into trust and comfort.
When you choose Adrian Bonet Photography, you are choosing a guide who knows how to navigate your nerves. I promise to keep the energy light, the directions simple, and the focus on your love. By the end of the day, you might even find yourself enjoying the spotlight.