How do you act natural when the photographer is with you?

[zoebartlett]

I always wonder how a couple acts so naturally when being photographed on their wedding day. Ant tips?

 

[MustangFan]

I think the photograher should have a way about him/her that is sneaky, so you don''t realise they are even there. Other than that, I think it''s really good to be comfortable with them and during previous meetings really talk with them and get comfortable to be around them.

 

[Maisie]

On my sisters wedding day the photographers were practically invisible! Its the only way I can describe it. You won''t notice a good photographer. They are good at being in the right place at the right time, without being intrusive.

 

[sumbride]

It''s true... a good photographer is invisible. The only time I felt awkward around mine was during the portrait sessions, and there were maybe two or three other times when he was trying to capture something so he''d say "look at him..." but it was more that he''d just missed it or something. When I look at the pics now it all looks totally natural. Except for me in the portraits. I did not change position in ANY of them! They all look fine on their own, but if you look at 12 in a row it''s like "insert bride here" because I swear I didn''t move a muscle! So change expressions occasionally... I sure wish I had. I also wish he''d told me to, but I do get annoyed when people say "smile" when I AM smiling.. I just don''t have a gigantic open mouth smile normally.

During our ceremony, one of the photographers (we had 2) was really far away, but had a telescopic lens so he got a lot of great up close shots, but nobody knew where he was. And ours was really good not to get in front of the guests to take a shot.

(slight diversion: I just got my pro-shots so I''ll start a thread this weekend to show off my faves.)

 

[Independent Gal]

Can''t wait to see your pro shots, Summer!

I''m worried about this too, since I HATE having my picture taken.

 

[BELLA9280]

i was nerveous about this, but when we did our e-pic we felt sooo comfortable with him i dont think its going to be a problem the day of

 

[largirl]

First, making sure that you are comfortable with your photographer is key - if you aren''t comfortable with them like an old friend, then you''ll be much more aware of their presence. It really helps for that if you have them do your engagement session too. Also, after an hour or so you won''t even notice them...especially if they come earlier to capture you getting ready. During that time you''ll be so busy doing hair and makeup and getting dressed that you''ll get used to them being around without even realizing it!

 

[musey]

Ditto what everyone else has said. It is a photographer's job to make you comfortable, and a good one will. We passed on three photographers because we just didn't feel comfy enough with them.

 

[ladyciel]

I feel absolutely awkward whenever I know there''s a camera being pointed at me. I have some hangups about how I look when I''m doing anything other than smiling, so whenever I know there''s a camera I tense up and want to hide/find an excuse to be smiling when the photo is snapped. Sure, smiling will be easy to do on my wedding day, but I really wonder if I''ll be able to forget that the cameras are there and just enjoy the day. I know I feel really comfortable with our photographer (we sat and talked in her living room for 2 hours when I met her, and neither of us had any idea just how much time went by), and we have an e-pic session scheduled with her in June. I''m just praying that I''ll be distracted enough by the people around me to stop worrying about how I look.

 

[surfgirl]

Your photog should be nearly invisible much of the time. For example, I told her Mr. Surf wasn''t comfy being the center of attention in photos (and since it was an elopement it''s not like there was anyone else to photograph!), and I also told her that I look like crap in most photos so when she met with me, she gave me a little tutorial on how to stand to look best and how to put my head so I dont have a big ol double chin in each photo. She was really great about the more portraity photos and she''d tell me, put your head down/up/to the side slighty, so I looked best. Also, what our photog did was tell us "go walk over there and put your head on his shoulder then kiss him" and she really wasn''t looking for "the kiss" shot, she was looking for the before/after shots because that''s when you''re not "posing" so she got more spontaneous shots that way. I think our photos looked quite natural so I''m pleased with what she did.

I think if you express your concerns to your photog beforehand, they should be willing to help you feel comfortable. This is where doing an engagement shoot is really helpful, so you both get to know how the other works. Have you chosen your photog yet Zoe? I cant remember...and if so, have you had an engagement shoot yet?

 

[Harleigh]

Zoe, thanks for bringing this up...I have wondered, too!

Just wanted to say I LOVE your new avatar! It''s lovely!

 

[TravelingGal]

I think most of our photographs were pretty darn natural. I never noticed my photographer, but I think it had to do more with the fact that I was totally absorbed in my husband and just having FUN.

 

[dani13]

I absolutely loved my photographer...she is so sweet, it was almost like a good friend was taking our wedding pics! I think being choosy about picking your photographer is key- this is the person you deal the most with before, during, and after the wedding, so making sure you are comfortable with them is very important...I also recommend taking e-pics if you can. We had them done 1 month before the wedding, and we are SO GLAD we did! I was incredibly nervous during that session- but it really got me used to the camera and my photographer and it kind of "broke me in" so to speak. When the wedding day came around, I felt like a pro posing for those pics!

Its so true that a good photographer is invisible...besides our formal portrait session, I barely remember her and her assistant being around! But they still got the best shots!! It was great!

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks for your responses and advice everyone! I haven''t had time to check back in until now. Surfgirl, yes, we had engagement photos taken back in August. Our photographer is really nice and we feel comfortable with her. She''s pretty new to doing weddings and I know she doesn''t have the same level of experience as some of the other photographers we met with. We had actually originally chosen a different photographer who does a lot of shoots for LL Bean but in the middle of filling out his contract, we found out that he had raised his prices too high for us. He''s amazing. That really has nothing to do with this post but as I was thinking about how to reply here, I realized that I''m a little nervous about the lack of our photographer''s experience.

She has made comments about keeping her distance at private times, etc., and I know she''ll do everything she can to make it a comfortable experience for us. I know she''ll stay invisible when needed. It''s just not everyday when a couple has a photographer following you around all day, you know?

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 3/1/2008 1:26:00 PM
Author: Harleigh
Zoe, thanks for bringing this up...I have wondered, too!

Just wanted to say I LOVE your new avatar! It''s lovely!

Thanks Harleigh! I''m ready for spring to come. It''s been one loooonnnnng winter.

 

[Pandora II]

I''m getting FI to take a whole load of pictures of me standing in different ways etc so that I can see what looks best. Sounds weird I know, but I feel more comfortable finding out how to put my arms etc so I don''t look like a cardboard cut-out for the more formal shots.