Posed With Poise

Leave the camera-shy vibes behind, and shine with ease on your wedding day

By Paige Aigret

Every last thing is poised to perfection on the wedding day. The flowers are arranged, the lighting is curated, the decor is staged, and the bridal party is dressed to the nines. But one thing that can’t be captured ahead of time is your posing. 

In the moment, when you strike your pose, you want it to deliver everything you hoped your wedding aesthetic to be. You want that bridal timelessness to translate to posts and frames. 

Northwest Florida local professional photographer Sydney Jeter says it all comes down to vibes and energy in the moment. 

“As photographers, it is our job to help a couple feel comfortable in front of the camera,” Jeter says. “This comes from trust built and natural conversation. Our energy will set the tone.” 

Find the right photographer for you— someone who you are comfortable around. Professionals like Jeter approach client relationships as friendships, working to break that wall down and help alleviate any awkward stiffness in tone and posture. 

“On wedding days, I am less talkative, so I don’t interrupt things. But I still bring a calm and easy energy and treat them like friends,” Jeter says. “I believe they can feel this, and it allows for love to flow freely between them as personalities come out.”

For those who experience camera shyness, it can help to practice ahead of time to ensure comfort in front of the camera. 

“Practice taking pictures together and being candid with a camera in front of you,” Jeter suggests. 

While practicing your pose can be helpful, Jeter says don’t try to plan it down to a science. Try simplifying with one practiced pose and good posture. 

Photographers should offer consultations to ease any worries and avoid day-of concerns. This can be done in person or over video chat and is a great opportunity to discuss any preferences for posing, backdrops, staging, and placement of the wedding party. 

“It is important to hear from the couple what kind of posing they desire and how hands-on they want me to be,” Jeter says. “From there, I gauge their natural personalities.” 

Couples can even book a practice shoot or engagement shoot ahead of time to ensure a comfortable flow.  

“I love getting to shoot my couples’ engagement sessions,” Jeter says. “We get to become friends, they get to experience being together in front of a camera, and it makes the wedding weekend feel way more natural because we have established trust and comfort.”

It never hurts to turn to Pinterest for some added inspiration or to scroll wedding photography social media pages. 

In the moment on your big day, let the idea of the lens and flash slip away. Let your pure joy and excitement take over, and it will all come naturally.

Posing the Party  

Planning wedding party photos can be an added stress, especially if family and friends have selective needs or requests. Communicate with your party to indicate whether you plan on incorporating candid moments as well as properly posed shots. This way, they can come in aware of the camera’s presence and practice ahead of time if needed. Respect special requests to your preference and within reason. Be sure to make use of your venue’s environment beyond the beautiful backdrop. You can utilize stairs for staggered sitting, pose in front of greenery, or incorporate any aesthetic architecture. For couples who want to incorporate their children into their wedding photos, Jeter suggests walking hand in hand with the kids in the middle as well as fun and candid dance break shots or squatting playfully next to them. For babies, she says to simply snuggle them as you would without a photographer present.

Curating the Couple Shoot

Jeter is an advocate for a natural, candid shoot. Often, she’ll give simple prompts to couples during day-of shots that require little instruction.

“I let them know that they can do their thing for a few minutes, and I’ll be snapping,” she says. “Then I step back and let them proceed.” 

Here are some easy directionals Jeter offered to help any couple strike their best pose during the wedding day shoot:

▪ The bride leans her side into the groom’s chest while she holds her flowers or his hand. The groom is hugging her in tight around the waist. For an added touch, the groom can kiss the bride’s head or cheek. 

▪ The couple walks hand in hand as the groom offers a kiss on the cheek or twirls to his bride in between strides. 

▪ Create an intimate moment by placing the couple under the veil face to face. For a follow-up shot, the photographer can pull the veil across the camera lens for movement.

Feature image by Ryland Lovvorn