Top Tips for Relaxed and Candid Wedding Photos

Discover how to feel comfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day. These tips will help you and your guests look natural and authentic in every photo.

Your wedding day will be one of the most memorable days of your life – and you’ll want your photos to reflect that joy, love, and genuine connection. But let’s be honest, not everyone feels like a natural in front of the camera. If the thought of posing makes you cringe or you’re worried about awkward smiles, don’t stress. With a few simple tips, you can feel completely at ease and end up with beautifully relaxed and candid wedding photos that truly capture the magic of your day.

Here are my top tips to help you (and your guests) look and feel your best in front of the lens.

1. Choose the Right Photographer

This one’s a game-changer. The right photographer won’t just shoot your wedding – they’ll help set the vibe. You want someone who gets your style, makes you feel relaxed, and knows how to blend into the background while still capturing the big moments and tiny details. Look for someone whose portfolio is full of natural, emotional moments, not just stiff poses.

Before booking, have a chat (or two). Make sure you click. A good photographer will guide you gently, give helpful prompts, and know when to step back and let the moment unfold.

2. Get Comfortable Before the Big Day

If standing in front of a camera makes you feel like a deer in headlights, consider an engagement shoot. It’s a great way to get used to being photographed together in a relaxed setting. You’ll also get a feel for how your photographer works, which makes things much smoother on the actual day.

Plus, it’s a great excuse to dress up and have some fun together before the wedding chaos begins.

3. Focus on Each Other, Not the Camera

One of the best ways to look natural in photos? Forget the camera is even there. On your wedding day, try to focus on your partner, your guests, and the moment. Laugh, cry, hug, dance – let yourself be fully present.

Some of the most beautiful images happen when you’re just being yourselves. Whether it’s a quiet glance during the ceremony or a cheeky giggle during speeches, those unscripted moments are pure gold.

4. Keep the Schedule Loose

Tight timelines create stress – and stress shows in photos. Build some buffer time into your day, especially around the key photo moments. Whether it’s sneaking away for golden hour portraits or just having a breather together between events, these little breaks help you relax and reset.

When things aren’t rushed, there’s more space for spontaneous, candid moments to happen naturally.

5. Trust the Process

Let go of perfection. Not every hair needs to be in place, and not every detail needs to be posed. Some of the most heartfelt images come from the in-between moments – the ones you didn’t plan.

Trust your photographer to capture the full story of your day, not just the highlight reel. The laughter, the nerves, the big hugs, the quiet tears – that’s what you’ll want to remember.

6. Encourage Your Guests to Chill Too

It’s not just about the couple – relaxed guests mean better candid moments all around. Let your friends and family know that they don’t need to pose or perform. The more comfortable everyone feels, the more genuine the photos will be.

A great photographer will mingle, chat, and snap away without drawing attention. Before you know it, you’ll have a collection of images that feel like your day – not a photoshoot.

7. Be Yourself – Always

Whether you’re the type to tear up during vows or bust out a dance move mid-reception, own it. The best wedding photos capture who you really are, not who you think you should be.

So go ahead – laugh loudly, kiss passionately, and let your guard down. The real moments are always the most beautiful.

Your wedding day should feel like you – relaxed, joyful, and full of love. With the right photographer, a bit of preparation, and a focus on the real moments, you can create a photo collection that tells your story authentically. Every laugh, every glance, every tear – perfectly imperfect and wonderfully you.