How to Look Natural in Your Wedding Photos

By Jordan Wade Photography

If you’ve ever looked at someone else’s wedding photos and thought, “How do they look so effortless?” you’re not alone. Almost every couple I’ve worked with has said the same thing before their big day: “We’re so awkward in front of the camera!”

Here’s the truth: You don’t have to be a model to look natural in your wedding photos. You just need a photographer who knows how to bring out the real you.

Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s not about posing perfectly or remembering what to do with your hands; it’s about creating an environment where you can relax, laugh, and genuinely enjoy yourselves.

So, if you want photos that feel authentic, joyful, and completely you, here’s my guide to looking natural in your wedding photos.

1. Choose a Photographer You Feel Comfortable With

This is, hands down, the most important thing. Your wedding photographer will be with you all day, from the nerves of getting ready to that electric moment on the dance floor, so you need someone you can genuinely be yourself around.

When you feel comfortable, it shows. You’ll laugh more, move more freely, and forget there’s even a camera there. That’s when the most beautiful, natural photos happen, the ones that truly capture who you are as a couple.

And this is exactly where I come in.

I’ve built my whole approach around creating a relaxed, friendly atmosphere from the very start. I’m not just someone who turns up on the day and snaps away; I take time to get to know you, your story, and what matters most to you. I want you to feel like you’ve got a friend there, not just a photographer.

I’ll crack a joke when the nerves kick in, help you fix your tie or pin your boutonnière, and remind you to take a deep breath when it all feels a bit overwhelming. My goal is always to make the camera disappear, so that what’s left are real emotions, real laughter, and real moments that tell your story.

So, when you look back at your wedding photos years from now, you won’t just see the day, you’ll feel it. The smiles won’t look forced, the moments won’t look staged, and every photo will reflect exactly how it felt to be there.

If that sounds like the kind of experience you want, we’d be a great fit.

2. Don’t Overthink the “Perfect Pose”

Here’s a little secret: most of the “posed” photos you see online aren’t really posed at all. They’re moments guided by your photographer.

I might say something like, “Walk towards me and whisper something ridiculous in their ear,” or “Hold each other like you’re about to kiss, but don’t quite get there.” Suddenly, you’re laughing, connecting, and forgetting the camera entirely.

That’s exactly how I work. I’ll give you just enough direction to make you feel confident, but never so much that you feel stiff or unnatural.

I’m there to capture your personalities, not to turn your wedding into a photo shoot. If you snort-laugh halfway through a romantic moment, perfect! That’s you. That’s real. And those are the images that will mean the most.

So don’t worry about memorising poses or angles. Just trust that I’ll guide you into moments that feel natural, not forced.

3. Focus on Each Other, Not the Camera

This one’s huge.

When you’re in front of the camera, it’s easy to think, “Am I standing right? What do I do with my hands?” Instead, shift your focus, look at your partner. Hold their hand. Think about what this day means to you both.

When you focus on each other, your expressions soften, your body language becomes more natural, and your photos capture something real: love, excitement, emotion.

I often tell my couples, “Forget about me for a moment. This is about the two of you.” I’ll quietly capture the in-between moments, the giggles, the whispers, the glances that say everything words can’t.

Those moments are where the magic happens.

4. Keep Moving

Still poses can sometimes feel, well… still. Movement brings everything to life.

Whether it’s walking hand in hand, spinning around in your dress, or sharing a dance when no one’s watching, movement relaxes you and adds energy to your photos.

I love giving prompts that get you moving naturally, because that’s when you stop overthinking. It’s when your laughter becomes real, your connection shines, and your personalities take centre stage.

The camera loves motion, and so do I. It’s those spontaneous moments of movement that tell the story of your day better than any stiff pose ever could.

5. Forget the Camera Is There

Easier said than done, right? But this really comes down to trust.

When you know your photographer has everything under control, you don’t have to think about what’s happening behind the lens. You can simply be present.

That’s my promise to every couple I work with. I’ll blend in with your guests, chat with your nan, laugh with the groomsmen, and make sure you barely notice the camera. You’ll see me there, but you won’t feel like you’re being photographed.

Before long, you’ll just be enjoying your day, and I’ll be capturing every genuine, fleeting, emotional moment without interrupting the flow.

6. Be Yourselves — The Quirks, the Laughs, the Real Stuff

This is your day. It’s about your story. Don’t feel like you need to fit into a Pinterest-perfect mould.

If you’re silly together, be silly. If you’re more reserved, that’s okay too. The key is to lean into what makes you you.

One of my favourite parts of photographing weddings is watching those little quirks come out, the way you wrinkle your nose when you laugh, the look you give each other when you think no one’s watching, the inside jokes that make you both smile.

That’s the stuff I live for. And it’s exactly what will make your wedding gallery feel uniquely yours.

7. Plan Some Time Away from Guests

Your wedding day will fly by, and between the hugs, the confetti, and the dance floor, it’s easy to forget to take a breather together.

That’s why I always build a little space in the timeline for couple portraits. Not the stiff, staged kind, just a relaxed wander together where you can soak it all in.

This is usually where the most natural, romantic photos happen. You’ll have a chance to pause, breathe, and connect, while I quietly capture the real emotion between you both.

Most couples tell me afterwards that this was one of their favourite parts of the whole day, because it wasn’t just about photos, it was about taking a moment to feel it all.

8. Trust Your Photographer

You’ve done the hard work, you’ve chosen someone whose style you love, who understands your vision, and who’s passionate about telling your story.

Now it’s time to let go and enjoy it.

When couples put their trust in me, it allows me to work freely, capturing everything as it unfolds naturally rather than worrying about ticking off a shot list.

I’ll guide you when needed, but I’ll never overtake the moment. My aim is to blend storytelling with subtle direction, so every photo feels organic and full of life.

The more you trust me, the more you’ll relax, and that’s when the magic happens.

9. Remember, You’re Beautiful Exactly as You Are

On your wedding day, you’ll be surrounded by people who love you, wearing something that makes you feel amazing, marrying your favourite person in the world. That joy, that energy, shines through in every photograph.

You don’t have to look natural, you just have to feel natural. I’ll take care of the rest.