“We’re awkward in front of the camera.”
If we had a dollar for every couple who said that...
The truth is, most people aren't completely comfortable having a camera pointed at them. You might suddenly become very aware of your hands. Smiling on command feels weird. You start wondering whether you're standing normally—even though you've been successfully standing your entire life.
That's completely normal.
Great photography and videography aren't about knowing how to model. They're about creating an environment where you can stop thinking about the cameras and start focusing on each other.
Whether you're preparing for an engagement session, couples portraits, or your wedding day, here are some ways to feel more comfortable, confident, and—most importantly—like yourselves.
You Don't Need to Know How to Pose
This is probably the most important thing we can tell you:
You don't need to arrive knowing what to do.
That's our job.
A good photographer shouldn't put you in front of a beautiful sunset and simply say, “Okay... do something.”
We'll guide you.
Sometimes that means giving you a specific position. Other times, we'll give you a simple action or prompt and photograph what naturally happens afterward.
Walk together.
Pull each other closer.
Whisper something ridiculous.
Look at each other instead of us.
Movement and interaction often create photographs that feel much more natural than trying to hold the “perfect” pose.
And somewhere along the way, you'll probably forget about what you're doing with your hands.
Stop Trying to Be Photogenic
Being “photogenic” isn't a requirement for having beautiful photographs.
You don't need to know your good side.
You don't need a perfect smile.
And you definitely don't need to practice poses in the mirror for three weeks before your session.
One of the biggest differences between a professional portrait and a quick phone picture is that we're paying attention to things you shouldn't have to think about.
Light.
Angles.
Composition.
Movement.
Backgrounds.
Positioning.
Our job is to make those decisions so you can focus on being present.
Choose Photographers You Actually Feel Comfortable With
You can love someone's portfolio and still decide they aren't the right photographer for you.
Personality matters.
This is especially true for weddings.
Your photographer and videographer may spend more time near you on your wedding day than almost anyone else.
We'll be there while you're getting ready.
During emotional moments.
During portraits.
At the ceremony.
At the reception.
And possibly while your entire wedding party is becoming increasingly enthusiastic on the dance floor.
You should feel comfortable with the people documenting all of that.
That's one reason we encourage couples to talk with their photographer and videographer before booking.
Ask questions.
Tell us what you're nervous about.
Tell us what you're excited about.
Tell us if there's something you absolutely don't want.
A little communication before the cameras ever come out can make the entire experience easier.
Your Engagement Session Is Basically a Practice Run
If you're nervous about wedding-day portraits, an engagement session is one of the best things you can do.
Think of it as a practice run without the pressure.
You'll learn how we give direction.
We'll learn how the two of you naturally interact.
You'll discover which prompts make you laugh and which poses feel most comfortable.
And you'll realize something important:
Having professional photographs taken isn't nearly as scary as you thought.
By the time your wedding arrives, we're no longer strangers showing up with cameras.
You've already worked with us.
You know what to expect.
That familiarity can make wedding-day portraits feel dramatically more relaxed.
Focus on Each Other, Not the Camera
Here's one of the easiest tricks for looking natural:
Stop looking at us.
Not completely, obviously. We still need a few photographs where everyone is looking toward the camera.
But many of our favorite images happen when you're focused on each other instead.
Talk.
Walk.
Laugh.
Hold hands.
Lean into each other.
Fix their hair.
Tell them something that will make them smile.
The more attention you give each other, the less attention you're giving the camera.
That's usually when things start feeling natural.
Movement Helps—A Lot
Standing perfectly still can make almost anyone feel awkward.
Movement gives your body something natural to do.
That's why we may ask you to walk toward us, walk away, turn, sway, dance, bump shoulders, or pull each other closer.
It doesn't need to be dramatic.
Even small movements can keep photographs from feeling stiff.
Movement is especially useful for video because your wedding film isn't built around frozen poses.
The little interactions—the way you reach for each other's hands, laugh together, or look at one another—are what make footage feel genuine.
You Are Allowed to Laugh at the Awkwardness
Sometimes we'll give you a prompt.
You'll try it.
And it will feel absolutely ridiculous.
That's okay.
Actually, that can be perfect.
Because what usually happens next?
You both start laughing.
And while you're laughing about how ridiculous you feel, we're taking photographs.
Suddenly, we have a genuine expression instead of a forced smile.
Not every prompt is about creating a specific pose.
Sometimes we're simply trying to create a reaction.
Don't Try to Recreate Someone Else's Relationship
Pinterest and Instagram can be great for inspiration.
But don't put pressure on yourselves to recreate another couple's photographs exactly.
Different couples interact differently.
Some couples are romantic and quiet.
Some can't stop laughing.
Some are affectionate.
Some show love by relentlessly making fun of each other.
We're not trying to make every couple look identical.
We want to figure out what feels natural for you.
Your photographs should look like your relationship—not like you're auditioning to become the couple from someone else's Pinterest board.
Tell Us What Makes You Self-Conscious
If there's something you're worried about, you can tell us.
Maybe you don't love a certain angle.
Maybe you're nervous about your smile.
Maybe there's a feature you'd rather not emphasize.
You don't need to spend the entire session silently worrying about it.
Professional photographers work with different body types, heights, features, personalities, and comfort levels all the time.
Good communication helps us choose angles, positioning, lighting, and prompts that make you feel confident.
We want you thinking about the person you're with—not worrying about how you're going to look in every photograph.
Wear Something That Makes You Feel Like Yourself
Your outfit can have a surprisingly big impact on how comfortable you feel.
If you're wearing something you're constantly adjusting, pulling down, pulling up, or worrying about, that distraction follows you throughout the session.
Choose clothing you feel confident wearing.
And make sure you can move in it.
We'll probably ask you to walk, sit, turn, hug, or move around at some point.
Comfort doesn't mean you can't dress up.
It simply means your outfit shouldn't require your attention every thirty seconds.
If you're unsure what to wear, check out our portrait-session outfit guide or ask us before your session. We're happy to help.
Give Yourself Time to Warm Up
The first five minutes of a session might feel strange.
That's okay.
You just arrived somewhere, met up with someone holding expensive camera equipment, and now you're expected to act completely normal while being photographed.
Give it a minute.
We don't expect the first frame we take to be the greatest photograph of your life.
Sessions usually become more relaxed as they continue.
You start understanding the direction.
We learn what works for you.
Conversation starts flowing.
Eventually, the camera stops feeling like the most important thing happening.
That's when the magic usually starts.
Wedding-Day Cameras Shouldn't Become the Wedding
Videography sometimes creates a different concern:
“Are there going to be cameras in our faces all day?”
They shouldn't be.
Your wedding is not a film production.
You're getting married.
Our job is to document that experience without turning every meaningful moment into a performance for us.
There will be times when we give direction, particularly during portraits or creative footage.
But during your ceremony, speeches, first dance, and other genuine moments, you should be focused on experiencing them.
We want your final gallery and wedding film to reflect what actually happened.
That means sometimes the best thing we can do is give you space and document the moment.
Don't Worry About Making Everything Perfect
Hair moves.
Dresses wrinkle.
Kids don't always cooperate.
Wind happens.
Someone will probably blink.
And Pennsylvania weather occasionally decides it has its own plans.
That's life.
You don't need to spend your entire session—or your wedding day—trying to make every detail perfect.
Some of the best photographs happen when things aren't going exactly according to plan.
The goal isn't perfection.
It's connection.
What If You're Really Camera-Shy?
Tell us.
We can adjust how we approach the session.
We might begin farther away with walking photographs rather than immediately starting with close portraits.
We can keep things moving.
We can give you more prompts instead of static poses.
We can talk while we're photographing so it doesn't feel silent and uncomfortable.
There isn't one correct way to photograph every person.
Part of our job is figuring out what helps you relax.
Your Photographer Should Make Things Easier
You already have enough to think about.
Especially on your wedding day.
You shouldn't also be wondering:
Where do I stand?
Where should I look?
What do I do with my hands?
Does this look weird?
We'll handle that.
If something needs adjusted, we'll tell you.
If the light is better somewhere else, we'll move.
If your positioning needs changed, we'll guide you.
And if everything looks great?
We'll keep shooting.
You don't need to analyze yourself through the entire experience.
The Best Photographs Happen When You Stop Thinking About Photographs
That's really the secret.
Eventually, we want you to stop thinking about the camera.
You're not trying to create a photograph anymore.
You're walking with your fiancé.
You're laughing with your spouse.
You're hugging your child.
You're crying during your vows.
You're celebrating with your friends.
You're actually experiencing the moment.
We're simply there to preserve it.
Come As You Are. We'll Handle the Rest.
At A-Z Photography & Videography, we don't expect our couples or portrait clients to arrive knowing how to model.
You don't need to be naturally comfortable in front of a camera.
You don't need a catalog of poses.
And you definitely don't need to pretend to be someone you're not.
Our approach is about giving you enough direction to feel confident while leaving enough room for real moments to happen.
Whether we're photographing your engagement session, creating portraits, or documenting your entire wedding day, we want the experience to feel relaxed, personal, and genuinely yours.
So if the reason you've been putting off booking is:
“We're too awkward for professional photos.”
We hear you.
Come be awkward together.
We'll make it look good.
A-Z Photography & Videography
Your story, captured from A to Z.