It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous about being in front of a camera
especially if you’re imagining hours of posing and smiling until your cheeks hurt. Who would want to do that?!
Most of the couples I work with admit they’re worried about feeling awkward simply because they don’t know what to expect.
The truth is, your elopement is not an all-day photo shoot. It is your wedding day, and my job is to capture the real moments that matter most. I’ll guide you when you need it, but more often I step back so you can be fully present with each other. The key is to trust the process, connect with your photographer before the day, and lean into experiences that help you relax and feel like yourselves.
Here’s how to make that happen.
1. Remember Why You’re There
When you focus on marrying the love of your life, the camera fades into the background
Your connection will naturally shine through. Important tip: When you’re saying your vows, sharing a first look, or having a quiet moment together, focus entirely on your partner. Listen to their voice, notice their smile, and feel the warmth of their hand in yours. Let yourself get lost in that moment. When you do, the camera becomes invisible and the emotions you feel will come through naturally in your photos.
2. Build Trust Before the Day
The best way to avoid feeling awkward is to make sure your photographer feels like a friend.
Feeling comfortable in front of the camera starts long before your elopement day. I spend time getting to know couples through video calls, planning sessions, and plenty of messages in between. We plan locations, getting permits, outfit ideas, and the flow of the entire day. These conversations are as much about connection as they are about logistics.
I want you to feel like we already know each other by the time I show up with my camera. That familiarity helps you relax, because instead of thinking “a stranger is photographing us,” you’re thinking “our friend is here to celebrate with us!”When you’re searching for your photographer, look for someone whose values and style align with the vision for your elopement. Do they understand why you chose to elope? Do they make you feel seen and understood? If we’re in the same area before your elopement, meeting up for a coffee or drink can be a fun way to connect outside of planning. It gives us a chance to laugh, swap stories (or dog photos), and talk in a relaxed setting.
Do they offer guidance for the entire experience, not just the photos? Your photographer should be both your artist and your guide, helping you create a day that feels effortless and true to you.
3. Move Like You’re in a Romantic Film
Instead of holding stiff poses, I encourage couples to move.
Sway together, walk hand in hand, lean in close, or whisper something sweet. Think of it like you’re the main characters in a romantic film, not getting still portraits taken.
The more you move, the easier it is to focus on your partner and forget a camera is even there. I will often quietly follow along, capturing the way your dress moves in the wind, the laughter you share, or the look in your partner’s eyes when you’re not paying attention.
These moments can be built into your day with activities that naturally create connection, like hiking to a scenic overlook, sharing a picnic, slow dancing, exploring a winery, taking a boat ride, you name it!
4.Wear Something You Feel Confident In
The right wedding attire can make all the difference in how comfortable and confident you feel in front of the camera.
Think about what you’ll be doing during your elopement and choose clothing that works with the setting and activities. If you are hiking to a scenic overlook, a flowy boho dress that catches the wind will look stunning in photos and allow you to move with ease. If your celebration is downtown, a sleek A-line satin gown can create an elegant, timeless look that pairs beautifully with city architecture.
Gentlemen, consider simple, breathable fabrics like linen and cotton for a mountain elopement. These pair well with suspenders and a bow tie for a relaxed, yet polished look that complements a boho dress. For a city elopement, a tailored suit will look sharp and sophisticated alongside a sleek satin gown. Choose coordinating colors and textures that match the season and location for a cohesive and intentional look.
Whatever you choose, make sure it feels like “you,” fits the season, and doesn’t require constant adjusting. Comfort and movement are key. The more at ease you feel in your attire, the more natural and confident you’ll look in your photos.
5.Talk Through What Matters Most
Before your elopement, spend time talking through the priorities of your day.
I approach this with couples by asking questions like: What moments matter most to you both? Are there any little details you want to be sure are captured? When a couple officially books their elopement with me, I send a detailed questionnaire to start the planning process for them, and to be sure I completely understand their vision and expectations for the day.
These conversations are not just about logistics of your day. They help your photographer understand what is most important so they can photograph you in an honest way and are sure to capture your top priorities for the day. Maybe what’s most important to you is making sure to get plenty of happy tears while exchanging vows, or a keepsake detail from a family member.
When you’re on the same page about what matters, you can stop worrying about how you look and focus entirely on the reason you are there — to marry your person and enjoy every second together.
6. Let Go of Perfection
Some of the most beautiful photos happen in unplanned moments.
Wind in your hair, muddy boots, dirt on your dress or anything else you could not have planned for. These are the pieces of your day that make it real and uniquely yours.
You cannot control the weather, and that is part of the magic. A romantic rain shower might mean cozying up under an umbrella or sharing a kiss with raindrops on your cheeks. Fog rolling through a valley can turn your ceremony into something straight out of a dream. Even a gust of wind can bring your dress to life in a way no amount of posing ever could.
When you stop trying to control every detail for the camera, you create space for these moments to unfold naturally. Your true personalities and emotions shine through, and those are the images you will look back on and treasure most.
Your Elopement, Your Way
Feeling confident in front of the camera is not about being “photogenic.”
It’s about trust, connection, and focusing on marrying the love of your life. When you choose a photographer who makes you feel at ease and build in moments that help you relax, your photos will reflect the love and joy you felt on the day you started your forever.
Leave a comment: