TIPS ON OVERCOMING CAMERA SHYNESS

It goes without saying that I love working with couples and capturing their incredible connections in images that will last forever.

It should also go without saying that capturing this magic can only be done from behind the camera, and that, my friends, is 1000% where I feel the most confident. When Mark and I got married back in 2016, I didn’t anticipate how truly bizarre it would feel to be in front of the camera. Our lovely photographer did an amazing job capturing our day despite my feeling crazy awkward.

It is so, so natural to feel a little (or more than a little!) uncomfortable in front of the camera at first if it’s something you’re not accustomed to. But never fear! I’ve got you ;-)! Once the initial weirdness wares off, the fun, creativity and laughter starts to creep in and before you know it your session has flown by and you’re anxiously awaiting your session’s sneak peek.

As someone who has truly been on both sides of the camera, I thought I would take a moment to jot down a few nerve-calming tips to help you beat what I affectionately call the “Chandler Bing Face Syndrome” (to clarify, Shannon and Matt below most certainly do not have the Chandler thing going on).

TIP # 1: FINDING “THE ONE”

So you’re probably like, yeah, Maura. I found the one. Hence the whole engagement and wedding thing……

Obviously, finding someone you want to spend the rest of your life with is the first little detail to be nailed down.

But when it comes to selecting your wedding photographer, I think the most important thing you should be looking for (apart from a portfolio you truly connect with, of course) is a photographer you genuinely like. You are going to be spending more time with that person on your wedding day than 90% of everyone else there so it would be super duper helpful if it was someone you enjoyed being around.

Do they seem kind? Genuine? Funny? Excited to be there for you on this hugely important day? These are all questions that you should be asking yourself prior to sealing the deal with your photog.

Apart from taking bangarang photos, a good photographer will go out of their way to make you feel good. It’s part of our job to help you feel at ease, because we know that the happier and more comfortable you are during your session, the more genuine, natural and beautiful the resulting images.

The key to confidence is comfort. If your photographer makes you feel comfortable and happy, then the entire photo session is going to fly by and be a genuine blast!

TIP # 2: DRESS TO IMPRESS

Now this one seems obvious, but there are so many things at play when it comes to your wardrobe selection. First and foremost, what makes you feel most confident? I know when I look in the mirror and I’m wearing something that I feel is too tight or washing me out or making my shoulders look like they belong to a linebacker and not a 5’4” woman, I don’t feel especially cute. When I wear a breezy, blue summer dress, earth tone sandals and my favorite jewelry, I feel like “Hey! I’m not half bad after all!”

While I definitely urge you to express yourself and get creative, your engagement shoot/wedding day is not the time to finally try to rock that trend that you aren’t quite sure that you can pull off (in your own mind anyway!).

Wear something comfortable. Wear something beautiful. Most importantly, wear something that makes you feel dayum foine. For more tips on wardrobe selection, be sure to check out my Engagement Photo Wardrobe Guide.

TIP #3: LET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER RUN THE SESSION

That is not to say that you can’t collaborate! I personally love having in depth conversations with my couples prior to their big session days, be it engagement or wedding shoots. My number one goal is to make ya’ll as happy as possible through every phase of our photographic journey together and that definitely includes bringing your vision to life.

There is a time, however, to turn the wheel over to the professional, sit back and focus on having a great time during your session. There have been situations where folks overly coordinated every shot and just wanted me to point and click when they say “Now!”. While that is totally cool (because again, I want you to be happy!), it is kind of counterproductive. You’ve hired your photographer presumably because you love their photographic style and the life that they bring to their images. If you are too worried about recreating specific Pinterest images of a totally different couple, shot by another photographer in completely different settings, this will be reflected in the photos. And you’ll notice.

My particular style is organic: it’s all about making my couples forget they’re having a photo shoot and feel like they’re just having a great time with their betrothed and a new buddy (namely me!) who just happens to be enthusiastically clicking away from time to time. For me, it’s those moments in between the poses where you truly capture the essence of who each couple is and what makes their bond so unique.

Trust your photographer! :-)

TIP # 4: THIS IS SO EXCITING! HAVE FUN!

You’re engaged to the one you love. If you are working with your photographer, you are either capturing the incredibly exciting time of life that we call “an engagement” or OMG it’s your actual Wedding Day!

Here’s where I get mushy, but finding someone you love who truly loves you back and wants to give you every part of themselves forever is a miracle. Someone who wants to take care of you when you’re sick, or had a crummy day at work or if it’s the end of February and YA JUST CAN’T WITH WINTER ANYMORE (she types as she writes this on February 28th).

These are really, really happy days, regardless of the sometimes stressful moments planning a wedding brings about.

So find a photographer you love. Put on your favorite outfit, grab the hand of the one you have chosen and who has chosen you and go out and chase the light together! Whatever you do, do not forget to have an absolute blast! :-)