It's no secret or surprise that getting your pictures taken can sometimes be uncomfortable. I have been doing this long enough to know that even I can get a little flustered when I'm on the other side of the lens! However, I'm also learning that there are ways to make the entire experience more relaxed and comfortable. First things first, schedule an engagement session with your photographer! This is so important. The time you spend with your photographer before the big day will help you better understand their style and approach so when it comes time for your wedding day you are pros and more comfortable in from of the camera. So let's jump into how to pose for couple photos on your wedding day.

I think we focus too much on the fact that we are in front of the camera and what to do when we're there, instead of being ourselves and enjoying the moment.

My favorite pictures are not those of a perfect pose, but they are the ones that tell a story through an embrace, gentle touch, or laughter.

Focus on your love and the connection you have with your person.

Sure, your photographer will be there snapping away, but push yourself to get lost in the moment together. Hold hands, slow kiss, cuddle up, and just look at each other the way you would in a moment the rest of the world isn't watching. Take a walk together, tell corny jokes, talk about your first date, feel her hair, trace his lines. It's those moments in between the "poses" that hold the most emotion. I've also found that having music along on a session can really help loosen things up between my couples so I always pack my Bose sound bar with the couple's pre loaded favorite jams to keep things relaxed.

I will discuss my top 5 tips on how to pose for couple photos.

Posing, without really posing.

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01. Get Moving!

Movement is my friend! I like to start out all my sessions with some sort of motion. Walking and talking is an awesome way to start this. Then move into who can jump the highest, show off your best dance moves, pick her up in your arms and spin her around. A bit of movement can really go a long way in a session. Don't be afraid to move around.

02. Talk to Each Other

One of the best ways to get in the swing of things at a session is to have a conversation! I have a bunch of questions from funny to serious that I ask my clients to get the conversation started and then I let them take it from there while I do my thing capturing it all. Whether these questions are about your day, where you met, when you fell in love, or discussing each others quirks and mannerisms. Tell the person you're with how much you love them. Tell them how you feel. Tell that person why you're proud of them and how you plan to love them for the rest of their life. It's my hope with my couples that by this time you are either laughing, crying, or just embracing the entire experience and getting cozy. There should be times you completely forget your photographer is even present.

03. Go in for it, pause! Okay, now kiss!

The slow kiss is my favorite! Often that moment before a kiss is the most powerful and connecting. Get cozy, get close, rub noses and look into the eyes of the person you are going to spend the rest of your life with! It's a beautiful thing.

04. Bring something that connects you together.

Whether it's a cup of coffee or an instrument, what brings you and your person together? Incorporating a favorite activity can help you calm the nerves and focus on each other.

05. Laugh a lot.

Getting my clients to laugh is a priority of mine on a shoot! Laughter is contagious and it's alway my goal to capture authentic laughter. My best advice is to not be afraid to be silly. Let your guard down and let your photographer capture who you are and whatever that looks like to you and your person.

Whether this is your first time in front of the camera, or your 100th time, being yourself and letting the moments come to you will always bring the best results. Remember, this is a story about a connection between you and the love of your life. You don’t need to rewrite it for your photo session, you only need to live it to tell it. This is exactly what documentary style photography is about, and why I love it so much.