6 Quick Ways to Prepare for Wedding Photoshoots

Photos are a big part of your engagement tradition and wedding day. But for some brides, it is something that they dread. Perhaps you feel as if you aren’t photogenic enough, or you won’t know what to do or how to pose when you get to your photography destination.

While most seasoned wedding photographers direct you in how to pose, giving you instructions on where to put your hands, how to smile, tilt your head or hold your bouquet, you may still feel nervous. Here are some great tips to help keep you relaxed and at ease for your wedding photos.

1. Wear a Long-Lasting Lipstick

If you had your makeup done by a professional artist, chances are they chose a great lip stain for you to wear that will last all day, or provided you with a lipstick for touch ups. Don’t forget to touch up your makeup before your photos are taken to ensure that your face is shine-free and looking fresh.

2. Just Say ‘Yes’

Saying the word ‘yes’ puts the mouth in a pleasant, naturally smiling position while helping relax the face. Take all the tension out of your features just with one word!

3. Battling the Sun

Photographers know that direct sunlight isn’t the best for photos because they can cast harsh shadows and make many of the photo subjects squint. However, many times especially with outdoor and beach weddings, the beautiful sun cannot be avoided.

Instead, close your eyes and ask your photographer to count to three; on three you open your eyes and he or she will snap the photo. This avoids the appearance of squinted eyes or furrowed brows as your eyes attempt to adjust themselves in the bright sunlight.

4. How to Avoid the “Double Chin”

Some poses may cause even the slimmest of brides to have the feared ‘double chin’ look, but there are ways to avoid it. If this is a concern, make sure you tell your photographer so he or she can make sure you are posed right to avoid this. Otherwise, move your head forward, elongating the neck, and subtly tilt your chin upwards.

It feels awkward, but looks stunning in photos. Another tip is to place your tongue at the roof of your mouth during a closed mouth smile, this tightens the whole chin area but remember to relax, as your face can look stern while doing this.

5. Laugh a Little

A fake smile is noticeable in photos, but a fake laugh isn’t. If you are getting tired and feel like your smile might start to look fake, let out a laugh when the photographer snaps a photo next. Even if you are faking a laugh, it is human instinct to laugh along with others, and that will produce a photo that you’ll want to keep forever. 

6. Don’t Hate Your Arms

Some women are very shy when it comes to the bicep jiggle that some of us have, commonly referred to as “chicken wings”. You may feel like you want to draw your arms closer to your body to avoid the unsightly jiggle, but if you want to make your arms look more slender, it is actually better for you to hold them away from your body slightly, giving your biceps some room to breathe during the pose. This in turn helps your shoulders look more narrow as well.

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About the Author:

Theresa Gibson has been blogging about weddings since her college years. Wedding has always been her favorite topic to write about because she believes it is one of the most precious moments in our lives. Theresa's articles have been published on hundreds of reputable wedding-related blogs and publications across the world. Currently Theresa holds a position of a director of editorial content and editor-in-chief at Top10WeddingVendors.com, a leading go-to vendor guide for brides across North America.