That little red light on a camera can feel like a spotlight. Suddenly, you’re hyper-aware of your hands, your smile feels forced, and the easy connection you share with your partner feels a million miles away. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

I’ve spent over a decade behind the lens, and I can tell you that the most common fear couples have isn’t about the weather or the schedule but about how awkward they feel in their own photos. They worry they aren’t “photogenic.”

Let me share a professional secret: photogenic isn’t a quality you’re born with but rather a feeling of comfort that we create together. Your wedding photos should be a reflection of your energy, your laughter, and the quiet, in-between moments that make your story unique, rather than stiff poses.

Capturing that genuine emotion is my entire focus. Here are five practical tips from my experience as a Bondi wedding photographer to help you forget the camera is even there.

Tip 1: Choose Locations That Feel Familiar

Where you choose to shoot has an instrumental effect on how comfortable you feel. Beautiful locations are great and highly sought after, but the most authentic photos sometimes appear in places that already mean something to you.

In Bondi, that might be the quiet north end of the beach, a favourite spot along the coastal walk, or even the front step of your first apartment together. When you’re in a space you recognise, your body language softens. You’re not trying to perform for the camera. You’re simply responding to a place that’s part of your story.

Bondi has plenty of scenic spots, but meaning matters more than the backdrop. Choose somewhere you can settle in and be yourselves, and the photos will reflect that.

Tip 2: Focus on Movement, Not Poses

The word “pose” can make anyone tense. It suggests holding still or performing for the camera, which rarely feels right. Instead, focus on movement and simple interaction. These moments create relaxed, honest images without forcing anything.

Walking is one of the easiest ways to settle in. A gentle cue like “Hold hands and walk together” shifts your attention to each other rather than the camera. You start talking, laughing, and enjoying the moment. That’s when the real expressions appear.

The aim is to photograph your relationship as it unfolds, not to create a stiff, static portrait. Movement keeps everything natural, comfortable, and true to who you are.

Example prompts for interacting naturally

To give you a clearer idea, here are a few examples of prompts that generate realistic interaction without asking for a stiff pose:

"Stand facing each other and, without talking, try to remember the smell of your partner's perfume or cologne on your first date."
"Walk ahead of your partner, then turn back and look at them with the biggest, most ridiculously happy smile you can manage."
"Whisper the three things you are most excited about for your future together into your partner’s ear."
"Start at opposite ends of this path, walk towards each other, and give each other the kind of hug you would after not seeing them for a month."

Each of these prompts has a purpose: to elicit a genuine emotion of nostalgia, joy, intimacy, or excitement, which will translate into an authentic photograph.

Tip 3: Build Trust Before the Shoot

Feeling relaxed in front of a camera is difficult if you feel like you’re with a stranger. This is why building trust with your photographer a lot more than you think. You should feel supported, understood, and comfortable long before the wedding day. A Bondi Wedding Photographer who takes the time to get to know you will always create a more realistic and candid experience.

A simple meeting or pre-wedding shoot helps break the ice. It lets you see how I work and gives us space to connect without any pressure. By the time your wedding arrives, you’re greeting a familiar face, not a new one. That familiarity takes away a lot of the nerves and allows you to settle in quickly.

Sydney has a wide range of photography styles, but the most important thing is choosing someone whose approach helps you feel at ease. When you trust your photographer and understand their process, their way of working and view on the space, the day flows instinctively. This results in photos that reflect who you are, not who you think you need to be.

Tip 4: Use Micro-Prompts to Create Candid Expressions

Movement works well for wider shots, but close-up portraits often need something smaller to bring out real expression. This is where micro-prompts help. They’re gentle cues that encourage connection without forcing emotion or asking you to “look romantic.”

Instead of a direct instruction, I might say, “Look at your partner and see if you can notice a new colour in their eyes.” It shifts the moment from posed to genuine. Small, familiar interactions work the same way, such as brushing a piece of hair aside or tracing a fingertip along a jawline. These natural gestures ground you in the moment and translate beautifully on camera.

Micro-prompts often help with:

softening into the moment
creating natural eye contact
bringing attention to simple, familiar gestures
helping you forget about the camera

The goal is straightforward: set the stage for a genuine moment to unfold, then step back and capture it authentically.

Tip 5: Start With a Warm-Up

No one steps in front of a camera feeling completely relaxed, even with that potential trust already initiated introduction meet-up.

It always takes a little time to settle in and get fully comfortable, which is why the first 10 to 15 minutes of any shoot act as a warm-up. There’s no pressure to create the perfect shot. We walk, talk, and take a few casual frames while you ease into the process.

This removes the need to “perform” straight away. A bit of awkwardness at the start is normal. Once you’ve settled in, you’re more present, more connected with each other, and more comfortable letting real moments unfold.

The photographer’s role in creating comfort includes:

reading the energy of the moment
adjusting the approach to suit your pace
keeping the environment unforced, dictated by their patience
guiding, while being attentive enough not to interrupt natural interaction

A great Bondi wedding photographer creates an atmosphere where you feel free to be yourselves, which is the foundation of every meaningful photograph.

Why Feeling Comfortable Matters More Than Posing for Your Bondi Wedding Photos

At the end of the day, feeling relaxed in your wedding photos has very little to do with posing or knowing your angles. It comes from feeling comfortable with the person behind the camera. When you trust that your photographer understands you, the experience becomes easier, and the images reflect that ease.

Once that trust is there, you stop overthinking. You settle into the moment with your partner, you forget about the camera, and your real connection comes through. Your only focus on your wedding day should be the experience itself.

If you’re looking for a Bondi wedding photographer who values comfort, connection, and a considered approach to easy your wedding day nerves, I’d love to talk about how we can tell your story.

5 Tips from an Experienced Bondi Wedding Photographer to Help You Relax for the Camera