Let me start with a truth bomb: feeling awkward in front of a camera is 100% normal. Like, completely, totally, absolutely normal.
I see it all the time. The moment I pull out my camera, shoulders tense up, smiles get a little forced, and I can practically hear the thoughts racing: “What do I do with my hands? Am I standing weird? Do I look okay?”
Here’s the thing though: it’s not just you. It’s literally everyone. Yes, even that super photogenic friend you have on Instagram. Having someone point a camera at you and ask you to “act natural” is inherently weird, and it’s perfectly okay to say that out loud.
Can we just acknowledge how strange the whole thing is? You’re going about your day, being a normal human, and then suddenly there’s someone with a big camera asking you to walk toward them while laughing. Of course that feels unnatural!
Most people don’t model for a living. Most people don’t spend their days being photographed. So why would we expect anyone to feel instantly comfortable with it? Even couples who are head-over-heels in love and completely comfortable with each other can feel uncertain when that camera comes out.
I always tell my couples: feeling awkward doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It just means you’re human. And honestly? I’d be more surprised if you didn’t feel a little weird at first.
This is where the magic happens, and it’s probably not what you think. I’m not going to tell you to “just act natural” (because seriously, what does that even mean when someone’s pointing a lens at you?).
Instead, I give you things to do. Silly things. Fun things. Things that make you move and laugh and forget there’s even a camera there. Maybe I’ll have you whisper the most ridiculous thing you can think of in your partner’s ear. Or I’ll ask you to dance badly to whatever song is stuck in your head. Or we’ll play a game where you try to make each other laugh without using words.
The secret? I’m not really looking for those posed, picture-perfect moments anyway. I’m watching for what happens in between. The way you look at each other when you think I’m not paying attention. The genuine laugh that bubbles up when one of you completely botches the “walking toward me romantically” instruction. The moment you forget about the camera and just focus on each other.
My energy sets the tone for everything. If I’m relaxed and a little goofy, you’ll start to relax too. If I’m having fun, you’ll have fun. And when you’re having fun, that’s when the real magic happens in your photos.
Every single one of my premium packages includes an engagement session, and it’s not just because I want to take more photos of you (though I do love that part). It’s because this stuff takes practice.
That first session? It’s like a warm-up. It’s our chance to figure out how we all work together. Maybe you discover that you’re more comfortable when your partner makes you laugh. Maybe we learn that you need a few extra minutes to settle in before we start shooting. Maybe we realize that certain poses just don’t feel like “you.”
All of that information is gold for your wedding day. Instead of spending the first twenty minutes of your wedding photos figuring out your rhythm, we can jump right into capturing you at your most comfortable and authentic.
Plus, let’s be real: engagement sessions are way lower pressure than wedding day photos. If something feels weird or awkward, we can stop, laugh about it, and try something else. On your wedding day, we want to already know what works.
Don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what some of my couples have said:
“We usually hate having our photos taken, but somehow this felt completely different. We were just hanging out and having fun, and she happened to be taking pictures while we did it.”
“I was so nervous before our session because I always feel awkward in photos. But within ten minutes, I totally forgot about the camera. It was just us being us.”
“We thought we’d be super awkward, but it ended up being like the best date ever. We were cracking up the whole time, and you can see that joy in every single photo.”
“She made it feel so natural and relaxed. We didn’t feel like we were posing for photos; we felt like we were just spending time together.”
Here’s what I want you to remember: feeling awkward in photos isn’t a problem that needs to be fixed. It’s just part of the process. It’s the starting point, not the destination.
My job isn’t to turn you into a model. My job is to help you feel like yourself. The most beautiful, authentic, joyful version of yourself. The version that your partner fell in love with. The version that your friends and family adore. That person is already perfect for photos; we just need to let them shine through.
So if you’re reading this and thinking “but I really am awkward in photos,” I hear you. And I’ve got you. That’s exactly what I’m here for.
Ready to see what happens when you stop worrying about being awkward and start having fun instead? Let’s chat about making some magic together.
www.antlerrunphotography.com
