Natural posing – what to expect from your couple portraits

Is ‘Natural Posing' even a thing? I have put together a few tips in this short blog post how to get the best out of your couple portrait session and engagement shoots and to put your mind at ease. 

A lot of couples bring this topic up at our first initial meeting: “We don’t like our photo taken” …Well, most people, including me don’t like having their photo taken. So I worked on my approach to make the couple portrait session as comfortable and fun as possible. “Posing” doesn’t need to be cheesy or unnatural. First of all, my top tips for couple photos and feeling like a natural in front of the camera: 

• Trust me/your photographer and let them direct you 

• It’s a chance to have some alone time on your wedding day (apart from me following you around!) – embrace it 

• It’s okay to be nervous, but I will tell you what to do and will be with you all the way. Plus you don’t need to look at the camera most of the time 

• Always be touching or giving each other attention! This is soooooo important – you need to connect with each other. Without connection there is no magic in the photos! 

• Keep moving, dance, paddle in the shore or just be be silly – it makes for beautiful natural images if you’re moving around 

• Don’t look at the camera (unless told!). We will take a full length portrait with you looking at me towards the end of the session. So we can see your outfits and makeup etc.

• Try and keep hands occupied – ideally touching and connecting with your partner. Believe me, hands are so important in an image 

• Get close, and be in the moment, you have just got married and it is fine to hug, kiss and get close 

• Schedule in your couple shots after dinner when you have had a few drinks or a second session

• Try to forget you are being photographed  

• Book an engagement shoot before your big day to learn how it feels to be in front of the camera and work with your photographer

• Have a laugh! 
  

It feels like a lot to take in right now, but believe me it will be easy. Here are a few of my ‘go to shots’ to give you an idea:

Walking towards me / Walking away

Heads together

Dance and Swirl, Pick Up

Sitting

Close Up of Details

Standing together looking away

Getting Close

Generally being silly - one of my favourites!

The landscape - aka tiny people

Classic Standing Together

Candid Shots during the day- definitely my favourite!

If you want to practise ‘natural posing’ please contact me for availability of a portrait session or engagement / pre wedding shoot. Let’s go and have some fun!

Wedding Photographer Polhawn Fort Cornwall / Katie & Alex

Katie and Alex’ wedding at Polhawn Fort was magical. It was summer solstice day and the sun was out! To celebrate Katie and Alex’ special day at this stunning venue nestled on a cliff by the sea with its own private beach and stunning sea views all around was a privilege. Katie’s love for the sea reflected in all the decorations, a marine theme running through every detail. She spend the last 2 years collecting shells, sea glass, seaweed and driftwood from her coast walks to incorporate them into the beautiful decorations. She even made shell hair pins. Just stunning, loved it! And so fitting to the venue.

Katie and Alex have planned their day a little different. They are not keen to be centre of attention, so had a small ceremony early in the day before welcoming the rest of their guests for the reception and party just after midday with a confetti entrance over Polhawn’s dare bridge. I really liked this approach, it made the morning so relaxed…Oh and did I mention I wasn't really booked for getting ready photos, but pleased I got there early to capture a couple and the first look with dad was well worth it!

It was such a beautiful summer’s day, the whole wedding party ventured down the beach to cool off in the sea at some point, including me, it felt so good to paddle in the sea! Apart from the beach visit there was plenty of entertainment from adult bouncy castle to garden games, the most delicious Paella by “Big Pan Parties’ and ‘Renegades of Rock’ getting the dance floor going with some great tunes. They haven’t planned a traditional first dance but I caught a couple f them dancing anyway…

A dream wedding by the sea and one of my favourites so far this season!

Katie and Alex, I present to you a few of my favourite moments from the day, there are so many more, but I had to keep it within 100 images…believe me it wasn’t easy to choose!

Their wedding is also featured on RockMyWedding, get inspired by their beautiful Coastal Boho Wedding with DIY details!

Venue: Polhawn Fort // Date: 20/06/2024 // Dress: Maggie Sottero // Makeup: Gemma Ryder // Shoes: Irregular Choice // Flowers: Sophie Ebbans // Decor: DIY by Bride // Music: Renegades of Rock

Cornwall Engagement Photography - Holywell Bay // Dan & Imogen

It was a pleasure to meet Dan and Imogen for their engagement photos a few weeks back. We went to one of my favourite local beaches, Holywell Bay. This beautiful Cornish gem is one of my top go to locations for photoshoots. Dan and Imogen don’t like their photos taken and wanted a bit of practice before their wedding in May. We had a great time and I’m quite sure they realised that it’s pretty easy to create some unposed, natural portraits… I can’t wait to shoot their wedding soon…

So great to meet you guys! Roll n May…

Why do I need Engagement Photos

Are you still wondering why you need engagement photos or if you should add an engagement shoot to your package? As a documentary /reportage style wedding photographer a pre wedding photoshoot creates a conflict as it obviously doesn’t fall in the ‘documentary/reportage photography’ category. It is more a planned photoshoot. Well, the couple portrait session and your family photos are the only part of the day which don’t fall under the documentary category. And I guess the couple portrait session is the most ‘feared’ part by people who don’t like their photos taken. However, I approach this shoot slightly different and you will soon see it’s nothing to be afraid of but rather to enjoy.

Most of my couples never had their photos taken by a professional photographer or hate their photos taken by anyone. Don’t worry, we keep the photos as natural as possible and you can get to see how to create beautiful portraits without posing. A great way to ease your nerves before the big day! It will be a fun and relaxing experience. One of the most important things to create stunning natural portraits is to be able to relax and be yourself. After all, engagement photos are meant to capture who you are as a couple, not just what you look like. During the shoot you will get more comfortable and relaxed at getting your photos taken. And the more relaxed you feel on the big day, the better your wedding photos will be!

You will also get to know your photographer and I get a chance to get to know you. In some cases there will be bit of guidance by me such as “hey guys, having a hug over there would be great” or “ run down the dunes holding hands’ or some general guidance on how or where best to stand for a good photo. Or some nonsense which usually comes out of me and hopefully makes you laugh! You will see the way I work ‘posing’ will be fun.

Because we can be flexible on a date, we can choose the right weather and location. You can add some beach photos to your woodland wedding and vice versa or we can get some sunset photos which might not happen on your wedding day as you can’t plan the weather ahead. I don’t know how many times I get asked about including sunset photos for beach weddings and I’m always worried for the couple that the sunset might not be as great as imagined or non existing on their wedding day. Maybe you want to visit the place you got engaged, even better, I love it if the location has a special meaning for you. You can also bring your dog(s) along, or are you more of a cat person, they are welcome too. I haven’t photographed a horse during an engagement shoot yet, if I could, this would make my day! Or bring your children along and make it into a mini family session. So many options, just give me a shout and we can discuss ideas.

With a relaxed, enjoyable engagement shoot you can create a series of gorgeous images to last a lifetime.

They also make great invitation cards or you might want to integrate them in your wedding decoration.

I believe so strongly in the benefits of engagement photoshoots that I include them as standard in my top full day wedding package.

And for any other full day packages you get a massive discount!

Oh and you can of course book a pre wedding shoot with me if you haven’t booked a wedding package. Maybe you’re visiting Cornwall and want some awesome photos of the two of you but your wedding is already booked elsewhere with another photographer. Not a problem, you can still book with me for some pre pre wedding photos. There are some stunning locations here in Cornwall, beautiful beaches, little rocky coves, cliff tops, ancient woodland and old mine buildings…the list goes on, I have a list of stunning locations for you to choose from.

Please contact me for availability and pricing

Engagement Photo Session Perran Sands Cornwall // Neva & John

I had the pleasure to meet the lovely Neva and John for their engagement photo session back in September. They were on holidays here in Cornwall and stayed near Perranporth. They wanted to organise a photoshoot whilst in the county and had chosen the Perranporth area for it. We decided to head to Perran Sands as the beach there is usually a little quieter and it’s one of my favourite locals. I’m super pleased we were blessed with a beautiful golden evening light too. Here is a little teaser!

Engagement Photography Crantock Beach Cornwall // Kirsty + Colin

Kirsty & Colin

Engagement Photos Crantock Beach, Cornwall

It was a pleasure to meet Kirsty and Colin last week for their engagement photos on Crantock Beach. We made the most of the late afternoon winter light although the northwesterly wind was blowing and it was pretty cold! Cornwall is just great for any engagement or portrait photoshoot. There are so many beautiful spots to choose from…

This lovely pair is one of my December couples getting married at the Alverton in Truro inspite of what’s going on in this world. Good on ya guys, love conquers all!

Here are just 10 of my favourite images…

If you are looking for a portrait photographer in Cornwall or want to book your engagement session, please don’t hesitate to contact me for a quote

Engagement Photography at Lanhydrock, Cornwall // Leanne + Ross

Leanne and Ross are getting married at the Green Cornwall next year. They came down for the weekend to go to a taster session there to choose their wedding meal. Exciting times!

So we met up at Lanhydrock for a coffee to go through their wedding day and for an engagement shoot. Leanne and Ross don’t like their photo taken, like most of the couples who book with me. Do they decided to book a pre - wedding photoshoot with me to see how I work and to get used to be behind the Lens. We sat in the cafe and were waiting for the rain to ease off a little to venture out for a stroll in Lanhydrock’s woodland. They brought their adorable cockerpoo ‘Ruby’ with them. I wish she could come to the wedding, but only 1 year old she is very excitable and Leanne is worried she might jump up her dress with her muddy paws. I still hope they change their minds and bring her along for their special day, she would look too cute with a bow tie on!

So here you go, I picked a few of my favourites from the day, I just wish I took more of Ruby, but she was too busy messing in the undergrowth and getting herself muddy...

If you are in two minds if you should book and engagement photography session with me, maybe this article ‘engagement photos - are they worth it?’ I wrote for Lusty Glaze will help you to decide.

To book an engagement session with me just contact me for further details. If you have a wedding booked with me I can even offer you a discount.

Cornwall Engagement Photographer on Perranporth Beach // Chelsea + Dan

I met Chelsea and Dan last week at the Watering Hole in Perranporth to discuss their wedding day next year at Lusty glaze beach and take some engagement photos on the beach. They had a week down here in Cornwall and are lucky enough to stay in Dan’s father’s holiday apartment overlooking Perranporth beach.

After a coffee we ventured out for a little taster photoshoot or some may call it engagement or pre-wedding photoshoot. They just wanted to get a feel for how it’s like to be in front of a camera before their big day. Well, we got a bit unlucky as it was dry during our meeting and as soon as we ventured on the beach the cornish drizzle came back.

Nevertheless I love the results and I hope you do too, Chelsea and Dan! Here are a few favourites from our session…

To book an engagement session in Cornwall just contact me for further details. If you have a wedding booked with me I can even offer you a discount.

Cornwall Engagement Photography at Holywell Bay // Becca + Mike

Becca and Mike wanted a bit of practise in front of the camera before the big day and what better way to have some relaxed engagement photos taken on the beach. So we ventured to Holywell Bay just after a brief meeting to go through the details of their wedding day. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny winter's day on the beach. I walk my dog a lot at Holywell Bay and I think its one of the most stunning beaches in Cornwall. No surprise they did quite a bit of filming there including the most recent Poldark. Becca and Mike soon relaxed in front of the camera and the engagement shoot felt like a casual walk on the beach.

If you are thinking of adding an engagement photoshoot to your wedding package or if you just want to get some natural portrait photos taken here in Cornwall, please contact me for further details

Here are just a few of my favourite shots from the day

Black Friday Special Offer for Family Portraits !!!

I'm currently offering a 25% discount on family portrait sessions as a BlackFriday Special Offer! A great opportunity for Christmas presents or just to get some lovely shots of you and your little ones. It's a natural and relaxed style photoshoot either on your favourite beach, place or at home.

There are limited spaces available, so please email me  ASAP to book your space!