Wedding Couple Photos Q&A: Quick Tips for Fun, Authentic Portraits
Capturing your connection in a fun way
As a documentary wedding photographer, the majority of my day is spent chasing authentic, unscripted moments as they naturally unfold. But when it comes to portraits, I keep the same approach. I don’t see them as posed photo sessions, but rather as a chance to create something natural, relaxed, and true to you—so your portraits blend seamlessly with the rest of the story.
I’ve always had at the heart of my couples the ones that really just want to have fun with their photos and never pose. I’ll always through in 10% posed for good measure (you can always bin them!) but the rest is just you being you!
How do we get the best wedding couple photos?
I’m scared about having my photos taken
Does it need to be just the 2 of us?
Do we HAVE to have wedding photos?
What do we do if it rains on our wedding day?
How long do wedding photos take?
I’m proper awkward, will my wedding photos look bad?
We are not the most photogenic couple so please guide us?
How do we get the best wedding couple photos?
Honestly, the best wedding couple photos don’t come from awkward poses or forced smiles – they come from you just being yourselves. I’ll guide you a little if needed, but most of the magic happens when you forget about the camera and just enjoy being with each other. A laugh, a kiss, a little walk together – that’s when the real gold happens.
I’m scared about having my photos taken
Totally normal! Most couples feel the same way before the wedding. The good news is, I keep things super chilled so it never feels like a big scary photo shoot. You won’t even notice half the time that I’m taking pictures. My aim is for your wedding couple photos to feel natural and fun, like you’re just hanging out rather than posing.
Does it need to be just the 2 of us?
It’s what ever is important to you, be it your kids or your pets too! I’d always say split it so there is 50/50 at least – Some of you alone and some with your nearest and dearest! be it K9 Companions or the kids!
Do we HAVE to have wedding photos?
Nope, it’s your wedding, your rules. That said, wedding couple photos are often the ones you’ll look back on most because they’re just about the two of you. They don’t have to be stiff or staged they can be quick(10 minutes), easy, and full of personality. Think of them as a little breather together during the madness of the day (They are actually the most alone time you will get on your day aswell so even if you just go for a walk i can thrash out 50 photos of you both)
What do we do if it rains on our wedding day?
Rain can actually make for some epic wedding couple photos! Umbrellas, reflections in puddles, dramatic skies they all add a bit of magic. Plus, we’ll always have a backup indoor spot in case it’s really chucking it down. Either way, you’ll end up with photos that tell the story exactly as it happened, rain or shine! (And there is always a dry spell to dash out for 10 minutes even on the worst days!)
How long do wedding photos take?
Not long at all. I’m not about keeping you away from your guests for hours usually 15–20 minutes is enough for some cracking wedding couple photos. If we can sneak away later in the evening for a quick sunset shot or two, even better. That way, you get awesome photos and still spend the day partying with your people! (Plus you are often a bit more tipsy in the evening and the fears of being a super star model dissipate)
Splitting Wedding Photo sessions in 2
I do often find a quick 5-10 minutes twice in the day works a lot better, we nail some early on safety incase the weather turns on us and then we get some cracking photos later on when you are a bit more tipsy! (but not so late that you are falling over blind drunk!)
Sometimes the sunlight can be a little too harsh in the day time so it’s best to delay them till later on but still ensuring we have something incase the weather turns on us!
Bonus: Creative Portraits in the Dark! Twilight wedding Photography
When some venues are blessed with iconic lit up backdrops its always worth nipping out for 5 minutes for something creative!
I’m proper awkward, will my wedding photos look bad?
No chance and quite honestly 90% of people say this! and then end up looking amazing. The trick is not to pose! Just be goofy and your selves! jump on each others back or push each other over! The more idiotic and silly you are the better! I’ll keep things relaxed and give you little prompts so it feels natural. The best wedding couple photos are about real moments, not model behaviour. Awkward usually just translates into fun and genuine, which looks brilliant on camera.
We are not the most photogenic couple so please guide us?
Every couple says this, but trust me you’ll look fantastic. Being photogenic isn’t about angles and poses, it’s about being comfortable and real. I’ll give you gentle direction so you never feel lost, but nothing too staged. Wedding couple photos are meant to feel like you, not like you’re trying to be anything else! I’ve never been a fan of placing your hand here… moving your lips here… just be your total selves for the best photos!
We think we prefer more candid photos of us during the day
I hear you! loud and clear! Candid photos are a Fabolous! but those candid photos laughing photos in the day, with clutter and other people in the background are not always the ones you would want to end up hanging above fire place. That being said candid photos play a huge role in wedding photography , Learn more about why candid photos are so powerful here
But when it comes to the couple photos and that candid I feel, i start to play more of trying to go for “Plandids“…. Planned candid’s! Just instigating that laughter and silliness between you but when the backdrop is just perfect already!
Golden hour wedding photos
Probably my favourite! when the sun is setting and the light is golden but more importantly you are quite tipsy and have fully let go and learned to embrace the day!
