Your Pre-Wedding Shoot (The Surprisingly Good Bit)
3-4 Minute Read
Let’s start with the obvious
You probably think this is going to be awkward.
Most people do.
Something along the lines of:
- “we’re not very good in front of the camera”
- “we’re a bit awkward”
- “we don’t really know what to do”
All completely normal.
Also… not a problem.
What this actually is (and what it isn’t)
This isn’t:
- a test
- a performance
- or you trying to be something you’re not
And it’s definitely not:
“stand here, look at each other, now laugh”
If that’s what you’re picturing, I get why you’d want to skip it.
What it actually feels like
It usually goes like this:
First 5 minutes
Slightly aware of the camera
A bit of “are we doing this right?” energy
Next 10 minutes
You realise you don’t actually need to do much
After that
You forget the camera is even there
That’s the point we’re aiming for.
Why this makes such a difference
By the time your wedding comes around:
- you already know how I work
- you know what it feels like to be photographed
- and you know you don’t need to overthink it
So on the day, there’s no adjustment period.
You’re just straight into enjoying it.
That’s when the best photos happen.
It’s also not just about the photos
Yes, you’ll get some great images out of it.
But the real value is how it changes the way you feel on your wedding day.
More relaxed.
More comfortable.
Less “what do we do” and more just being yourselves.
Where and when
I usually recommend doing your shoot in a different season to your wedding.
It gives you something completely different and makes the most of the experience.
But there’s no strict rule here.
Some couples:
- pick a meaningful location
- bring their dog
- turn it into a proper afternoon out
- or even include some family photos
It’s very flexible.
What to wear (without overthinking it)
Keep it simple.
- Neutral tones always work well
- Avoid anything too loud or logo-heavy
- Wear something you feel comfortable in
That last one matters most.
If you feel like yourself, it shows.
A quick mindset shift
This is the important bit.
Don’t go into it thinking:
“we need to get good photos”
Go into it thinking:
“we’re just going to spend a bit of time together and see how it goes”
That’s when it works best.
If you’re still not sure about it
You don’t have to do a pre-wedding shoot.
If you’d rather skip it, that’s completely fine.
We’ll just plan an extra Zoom or meet up so you still feel just as comfortable.
No pressure either way.
But if you do it…
You’ll turn up to your wedding day already knowing:
“we’ve got this”
And that changes everything.
If you’ve got questions
Or you’re not sure where to do it, what to wear, or how it works, just ask.
Always happy to help.