What to Do If You Hate the Idea of Wedding Photos

Is this you? You are getting married. You are excited. And then someone says, “Let’s talk about your wedding photos.” Instant dread. You feel awkward in front of the camera. You hate the idea of posing. The thought of someone pointing a lens at you all day sounds… stressful. If that is you, let me say this clearly: you are not the problem.

There is nothing wrong with you for feeling that way. And you are not alone. So many couples say the same thing to me when they get in touch:

  • “We are not posing people.”
  • “We just want to enjoy the day without feeling awkward.”
  • “We do not like being the centre of attention.”
  • “We are worried we will look forced or uncomfortable in the photos.”

And every single time, I say: great. You are my kind of people.

Natural wedding photography is for people like you

You do not need to know what to do with your hands. You do not need to fake anything. Natural wedding photography is about something else entirely. It is about real moments, not posed ones. Connection, not performance. Emotion — not perfection.

If you want photos that feel like you, not like a Pinterest board — that is exactly what I do.

What does “relaxed wedding photography” actually mean?

It means no awkward instructions. No pressure to smile. No endless line-ups or weird angles.

Instead, it means:

  • You get to be in the moment
  • You spend time with your people, not your photographer
  • You enjoy your day as it happens — and I quietly capture it unfolding

I work in the background. I notice things. A glance, a squeeze of the hand, a burst of laughter — the kind of things that are impossible to pose for. Because they are real. That is what relaxed wedding photography is. You do not even need to look at the camera if you do not want to.

What about couple portraits?

You might still want a few photos together. But you do not want to be told to act like someone you are not. Here is how I do it:

  • We go for a short wander — somewhere quiet
  • You chat, breathe, reconnect
  • I give small, simple nudges — never pressure

I might say, “Walk over there and hold hands if it feels natural.” Or, “Just take a moment — no rush.” I will not make you do anything cheesy. No being turned into someone you do not recognise.

Instead, you get images that show you both as you really are — comfortable, close, in your own world.

Why it works for people who hate the camera

When you are not being watched or told what to do, something changes. You stop thinking about how you look. You stop overthinking the camera. You start actually feeling your wedding day. And when you do, the photos come alive. The best photos are not the ones where you are posed perfectly. They are the ones where you forgot the camera was there. That is where the magic is — in honesty, movement, and emotion.

You deserve to feel comfortable on your wedding day

Your wedding is not a photoshoot. It is not a performance. It is a one-time, personal, emotional day that you should be able to fully experience. You should feel safe, relaxed, and supported.

That is my job as your photographer — not just to take good photos, but to help you feel okay being yourself in front of the camera. You do not need to change who you are. You do not need to act differently. You do not need to know how to “do photos.” You just need someone who sees you as you are — and documents that honestly.

So what should you do if you hate the idea of wedding photos?

Here are a few practical tips:

  • Find a photographer who listens – not someone with a fixed shot list or one-size-fits-all approach
  • Look for real moments in their portfolio – not just styled shoots or perfectly posed portraits
  • Have a chat before you book – ask how they work, and how they handle camera-shy couples
  • Do a pre-wedding shoot if you are open to it – but only if it feels helpful, not stressful
  • Trust your instincts – if a photographer makes you feel seen and safe, that matters more than anything else

Looking for a relaxed wedding photographer in the UK?

I am Aaron, the guy behind Incircles Photography. Based in Worcestershire and shooting weddings across the UK.

I specialise in natural, documentary-style wedding photography for people who hate the idea of posing, but still want beautiful, meaningful images of their day. If you want someone who will not boss you around, make you do awkward things, or interrupt your moments. I would love to chat.

Let us make your wedding photos feel easy, honest, and totally you. Or, If you want to get some more tips and help with your wedding photography you can check out my blog on wedding photography tips here.

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