If you’re nervous about being in front of the camera before your wedding day, you are definitely not alone.
A lot of couples tell me the same thing before their wedding photography or videography booking:
“We’re awkward in photos.”
“We don’t know what to do with our hands.”
“We’re not really posey people.”
And honestly, that is completely normal.
That’s exactly why a relaxed pre-wedding shoot can be so helpful. It gives you a chance to spend time in front of the camera before the wedding day, without the pressure of timelines, guests, speeches, confetti, family group photos or anything else happening around you.
For this pre-wedding shoot at Bramcote Hills Park in Nottingham, I photographed a lovely couple who were initially a little unsure about being in front of the lens. They also brought along their gorgeous dog, Maisie, which instantly made the shoot feel relaxed, natural and personal.
Natural Pre-Wedding Photography in Nottingham
My approach to pre-wedding photography is very similar to how I approach most of a wedding day: relaxed, natural and unobtrusive.
I don’t want couples to feel like they are performing for the camera. I want them to feel like themselves.
So we kept things simple. I told them:
“Just be you. Be as silly or as serious as you want.”
We started with them walking together with Maisie. Nothing complicated, nothing awkward, no forced posing. Just the two of them spending time together while I stepped back and photographed it naturally.
Using my 70-200mm f/2.8 professional lens meant I could stay further away rather than being right in their personal space. That distance makes a huge difference. It gives couples room to breathe, walk, laugh, chat and quickly forget they are being photographed.
And that is exactly what happened.
Within a short space of time, they got it. They stopped worrying about the camera and started simply being themselves.
Natural Wedding Photography with a Little Bit of WOW
Around 95% of the way I photograph and film a wedding day is candid and natural.
That means real moments, natural reactions, guests laughing, family emotion, little glances, hugs, movement, atmosphere and all the things that make your wedding day actually feel like your wedding day.
But when it comes to couple portraits, I do like to bring a little bit of WOW.
That might be beautiful natural light, a dramatic sky, off-camera flash, a strong composition or simply helping you stand in a way that feels confident, flattering and natural.
The key is that it should still feel like you.
One of the biggest things I help couples with is hand placement. It sounds like a small detail, but it makes a massive difference. Hands show intention, and getting that right can be the difference between a photograph feeling awkward and a photograph feeling effortless.
Dog-Friendly Pre-Wedding Shoot at Bramcote Hills Park
Including Maisie made this shoot even more personal.
Dogs are brilliant on pre-wedding shoots because they instantly give couples something natural to focus on. Walking, laughing, calling them back, giving them a fuss — it all creates real moments.
Bramcote Hills Park worked beautifully for this kind of relaxed, dog-friendly pre-wedding shoot. With open space, natural paths and greenery, it gave us plenty of room to keep things informal and natural.
For couples getting married in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire or the surrounding Midlands area, a pre-wedding shoot like this can be a brilliant way to build confidence before the wedding day.
By the end of this session, this couple were not just comfortable in front of the camera — they looked confident.
And now I honestly can’t wait to photograph their portraits on the wedding day.
Thinking About a Pre-Wedding Shoot Before Your Wedding?
If you are nervous about being photographed, a pre-wedding shoot is one of the best ways to put your mind at ease before the wedding.
My approach is relaxed, natural and friendly. I’ll give you enough direction so you don’t feel lost, but never so much that it feels staged or uncomfortable.
If you’re planning your wedding in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire or the surrounding Midlands area and would like natural wedding photography or videography with a little bit of WOW, feel free to get in touch.
I’d love to hear about your plans.
