Choose Someone You Feel Comfortable Around
This is one of the biggest reasons I encourage couples to meet their photographer before booking. Your photographer will be around you during the whole wedding day and during the most important moments of it. Make sure you want to see and hear this person throughout the day.
I'll be there while you're getting ready, during your ceremony, around your family and friends, during portraits, through dinner and speeches, and probably somewhere near the dance floor later that evening.
So don't just look at a photographer's portfolio. Ask yourself: “Could I actually relax around this person?” Because the relationship you have with your photographer has a huge impact on how your photos feel.
Tell Me If You're Nervous Or If You Feel Uncomfortable
Please don't be embarrassed to say: “We're really bad at photos” or “We really don’t feel right doing this.” I promise you're not the first couple to tell me that! Knowing you're nervous actually helps me, so I can take things slowly, give you more direction at the beginning, and avoid putting you into situations that feel unnatural.
Usually, the first few minutes are the hardest, and the best photos are taken at the end of the shoot. Once you start walking, talking, and interacting with each other, you quickly forget that I'm there. That's when the magic usually happens.
You Don't Need to Know How to Pose
Let's start with the most important thing that everyone should know: you don't need to know how to pose. That's my job: lead you, explain to you, direct you, and help you relax in front of the camera.
You don't need to practice poses in front of the mirror or save hundreds of Pinterest photographs so you can copy them on your wedding day. When we're taking bridal or couple portraits, I'll give you simple, natural direction when you need it, but most importantly, I will ask you to be with each other and enjoy the moments. I might ask you to walk together, hold hands, get a little closer, look at each other, or simply take a moment.
Remember, I won’t be trying to turn you into models. I'll try to create photographs that look and feel like you, and if something feels uncomfortable, we'll change it. It's that simple.
Move Instead of Holding a Pose And Talk To Each Other
The secret to making natural, dynamic photos is constant action and movement. Walking is one of my favorite ways to photograph couples because it immediately makes everything feel more natural. You can walk together, hold hands, turn towards each other, fix your partner's jacket, play with the veil, or simply wander around the venue. Movement gives you something to do, and it takes away that feeling of not knowing what to do with your hands. It also creates little moments of interaction that I can photograph without forcing anything.
I also often ask couples to talk to each other. It doesn't have to be deep or romantic. Tell your partner what you felt during the ceremony. Remember your first date. Talk about what you're looking forward to at dinner. Whisper something ridiculous that makes them laugh.
The moment you start having a real conversation, you stop performing for the camera and will start living the moment. And that's exactly what I want.
Don't Compare Yourself to Other Couples
Instagram and Pinterest are great for inspiration, but they can also create unrealistic expectations. You might see a beautiful photo and think, “We’ll never look like that.” And you don’t need to. Every couple has their own personality and way of being together. Some of those perfect-looking images may even come from editorial shoots with professional models.
Your photos don’t need to look like anyone else’s. They should look and feel like you.
Trust Your Photographer
Once you’ve chosen your photographer, trust them to do their job. You don’t need to know what they’re doing every second or check the back of the camera after every photo.
If I ask you to move, there’s usually a reason. If I’m waiting with my camera, I’m probably waiting for the right moment, expression, or light. And if something doesn’t feel comfortable, tell me. It’s a conversation, not a performance.
Most importantly, remember: your wedding day isn’t a photoshoot. You’re getting married, surrounded by your favorite people. You’re laughing, crying, drinking champagne, listening to speeches, and dancing with your friends. Be present. I’ll take care of the photographs.
Planning a Wedding in Barcelona?
If you're planning a wedding in Barcelona or anywhere else in Spain and want photographs that feel natural, personal and true to the way your day actually felt, I'd love to hear from you. I want you to actually experience your wedding. I'll guide you when we need to create something intentional, and the rest of the time I'll quietly document what's already happening.
