Capturing Connection: Easy Ways to Help Couples Be Themselves on Camera

We’ve all been there as photographers—meeting a client for the first time and bam… it’s go-time. The pressure is on to make magic happen with people you’ve just met, and it can feel awkward for everyone involved at first. But the truth is: the best, most genuine photos come when your couple feels comfortable, relaxed, and like they can just be themselves.

So how do you go from strangers to friends in the first five minutes? Here are 5 of my favorite techniques for capturing fun, natural images that truly reflect your couple's personality and connection.

1. Start With Real Conversation

Before you even lift your camera, start chatting! I like to ask casual, friendly questions like:

• How’s wedding planning going?

• What’s been the best part of your week?

• What did you have for dinner last night?

Simple questions can go a long way in easing nerves and building connection. People naturally start to relax when they feel heard and seen—not just like a subject in front of a lens.

Once we get to the first location, I always ask if they’ve ever been professionally photographed. Then, I reassure them that we’ll ease into it with simple poses, nothing overly complicated. I remind them that feeling nervous is totally normal, and by the end of the session, they’ll forget the camera is even there.

Bonus Tip: Most grooms aren’t fans of having their picture taken—so I’ll even joke, “Don’t worry, this is painless!” and that always gets a laugh and breaks the tension.

2. Start With Movement (Like Walking Shots!)

My first pose at every session? Walking.

Before we even pose, I have the couple walk to our first spot. It gives us a chance to keep talking and get used to the space. Then once we’re shooting, I’ll direct them to:

• Walk toward me

• Walk away holding hands

• Bump hips playfully

• Look at each other mid-step

• Glance back at me over the shoulder

These photos are great warmups and allow your couple to settle into the session. Even if I only use a few walking shots in their final gallery, they’re essential to setting the tone.

3. Don’t Be Afraid of Motion

Motion is the magic behind organic posing. I rarely ask couples to stand still for long.

Instead, I’ll have them:

• Gently sway

• Twirl

• Laugh and spin

• Sway a dress

• Run their hands through each other’s hair

Movement feels more natural, which leads to natural photos. It creates energy, emotion, and candid moments that just can’t be posed.

4. Take a Step Back

Once we’ve worked through a few guided prompts, I like to simply step back. I’ll tell them to just talk to each other for a minute—nothing fancy, no poses, just them.

This is where the real magic happens:

• Candid expressions

• Inside jokes

• Intimate moments

• Personality shining through

It also gives me the space to experiment—play with layering, shoot through foreground elements, and capture angles I wouldn’t get during more structured prompts.

5. Make It Personal and Interactive

Remember: your clients are in the middle of a huge life milestone. Engagement and wedding sessions are more than photos—they’re a celebration of their story.

I love weaving that into the session with interactive prompts. One of my go-to moments:

• Ask the groom to whisper why he’s excited to marry his bride.

• Later, have her do the same to him.

This always brings real smiles, happy tears, and sweet reactions I could never capture with a pose alone.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, your job isn’t just to direct poses—it’s to make your couples feel something. When they’re comfortable, connected, and having fun, the images come alive.

✨ So talk, laugh, move, connect, and let the magic happen. ✨

Whether you’re shooting an engagement, wedding, or anniversary session, these tips will help you create a space where your clients can relax, be themselves, and love their photos even more because of the experience behind them.