Stepping in front of the camera doesn’t come naturally to everyone. We get it. For some of our lovely couples, it can be a nerve-wracking experience! When you’re a little camera-shy, having your photos taken can feel like one of the most vulnerable situations. But we’re sure you want beautiful photographs of the two of you together like any other couple out there. Couples photos don’t have to be the scary experience you might be imagining. Here are our best tips for camera-shy couples in New York to really get those stunning photos you want.

#1: Work with a photographer you can trust

In a lot of cases, nerves about having your photo taken come not only from the camera being pointed in your direction but also because of the stranger taking the pictures.

It’s important you feel comfortable with your photographer/s because that’s half the battle. If you feel happy and relaxed around them, then you’ve only got to deal with being shy around our camera!

We like to chat with our couples before booking, which can help you decide if you think we’re people you can relax around and trust. It’s important for you to have a vibe check that feels good for you. The last thing you’d want is to book a photographer that doesn’t help you stop feeling awkward because you don’t vibe well.

#2: Acknowledge your camera-shyness

It’s okay to be a camera-shy couple, but it does help your New York wedding photographers if they know beforehand.

When you book us, tell us. That helps us to prepare and be ready to do all the things to help you feel more relaxed as we take your pictures. We photograph couples at every comfort level – and in fact, many of the laughing, dancing couples you see on our site told us they were camera-shy, too!

We promise you won’t be the first camera-shy couple in New York that we’ve worked with. And we have a whole bag of tricks up our sleeves to get those beautiful, relaxed couple shots you dream of. So, give us the heads-up and let us work our magic!

#3: Focus on each other

It’s always way easier having your photos taken as a couple than it is by yourself. Because, that way, you don’t even have to look at the camera if you don’t want to. Just look at each other instead!

We’re betting you’ll only have eyes for each other anyway, so your couple shoot will be even easier than you thought possible.

Some camera-shy couples start to feel more comfortable later in the shoot. If you’re one of those couples, and you feel ready to look at the camera a little more, that’s fantastic! Let us know, and we’ll work with you to get the kind of shots you want.

On your big day, you may have friends and family nearby while taking photos. That can be a little intimidating, so if you can, find a spot that’s a little more private. When you have a quiet spot to work within, it gives you more opportunity to focus on each other.

#4: Talk to each other

Sometimes the best thing you can do is just be together. Talk to each other. Have an inside joke between the two of you that you can whisper into each other’s ears.

Believe us when we say leaving you two to be together in your own little world will make the most incredible intimate photographs. No one will believe you’re a camera-shy couple when they see the pictures!

#5: Ask us for direction

Yes, we’re a dab handy with our cameras, but being good photographers doesn’t only mean we know how to take a photograph. We also know how to interact with and work with our couples to get the best shots. From the engagement session to photos on your wedding day, it’s important to be sure we do our best to keep you comfortable in front of the camera.

So, if you’re feeling uncomfortable, don’t know how to stand or where to put your hands, tell us! We’ll happily guide you into some of our favorite tried and tested poses to get you those gorgeous pictures you’re longing for.

#6: Bring your pet

Even the most camera-shy couples in New York can’t help but relax when they’ve got their beloved four-legged friends around. It’s guaranteed your pooch will steal the show anyway. And when the focus is off you guys, it helps you to feel more comfortable in front of our cameras.

We may have mentioned before that we have a mild obsession with puppies too, so this is a win-win situation as far as we’re concerned!

#7: When in doubt, fake it

When we see couples feeling a little nervous in front of our cameras, we’ll encourage them to let out the biggest fake laugh they can muster. Yes, it might look and feel a little strange, but, in our experience, a fake laugh quickly turns into a real one, and that’s when we’ll be ready to capture your photos!

And if it’s just one-half of the two of you that gets a little camera-shy, check out our tips here on how you can help your partner relax for your photos.

#8: Try Photo and Video Coverage

It may seem counterintuitive to add more coverage to your day, but hear us out. When you have wedding videography taking place, you’ll stop noticing the cameras. Since video benefits from natural movements and motions as opposed to static posing, you’ll spend way less time overthinking your positions.

Tips for camera-shy couples having a photo shoot in New York

We promise we’re definitely not scary, and we’ll do everything we can to help you feel more comfortable and confident during your couple shoot with us. Get in touch now to find out how we can help! We’re experienced New York wedding photographers who love to help people feel good in front of the camera.

In fact, it’s why we do a complimentary engagement photo session with every one of our wedding photography packages. We want to make sure our couples are cool with us taking photos ahead of the wedding day. It’s better to work on any camera-shyness before the wedding day, so you can be total rockstars on the best day of your life!