How to get great wedding portraits, without the cringe!

We've all been to weddings where the couple disappear for two hours to do their portraits and come back looking exhausted.

It doesn't have to be that way.

My approach is all about keeping things relaxed, blending in as a guest and leaving you to enjoy yourselves with your friends and family. I'd rather document real laughs and capture the energy of the day than make people pose and feel awkward. So how do the couple portraits fit in to that?

Your wedding day will be crazy busy, and there's a decent chance you won't see each other much during the day.

Taking fifteen minutes to have a few portraits taken gives you that space. It's really nice to take a few moments away from it all, just the two of you - to go *woah* we just did it!

'But', I hear you say, 'I'm terrible at having my photo taken. And those awkward posed shots are so cringey!'

I couldn't agree more. And this is the beauty of approaching them as an opportunity to spend some time together. There's no need to pose, because you'll already be sharing stories of the day, laughing about your Uncle's dodgy suit and looking forward to that Dominos when you get home.

I might make a few suggestions here and there, and maybe we'll go to a few different places to catch the spectacular sunset or make sure I can fit the epic venue in the background.

But once I step back, there's just the two of you, together.

It doesn't need to take long - normally fifteen minutes or so is plenty. We can talk through your schedule when we meet up, and work out a good time to fit it in. Often we can sneak off while everyone is slowly ambling out of the ceremony, or while they're finding their seats for the meal; your guests won't even realise you've been away.

A lot of couples thank me afterwards for persuading them to do portraits at all. The time you spend alone together is invaluable, and the photos can end up being some of your favourites.