Confession: I am awkward. Painfully so at times. I do a really great job of playing it cool but I never know what to do when I meet someone (should I go in for the handshake, the hug, or the chest bump?) Seriously, I kind of clam up and smile through the fact that I question the bane of my existence when moments like that arise. I make inappropriate (yet hilarious) wisecracks when I’ve had one glass of bubbly (do not offer me champagne on your wedding day, just don’t.) And when I get stuck in a creative moment, I more than likely will just giggle. So, what does this have to do with wedding photography? Pretty much everything.
Posing for photos is an awkward experience (does anyone know what to do with their hands?) You know those adorable photos that you see when the couple is belly laughing and their smiles are as genuine as they come? Yeah, they are likely laughing at their photographer… I know this from experience. You just might want to call me half camerawoman / half comedian, except if I ever did stand up comedy, people would throw tomatoes at me and I would giggle in a nervous fit until I cried. I definitely didn’t get Grandpa Sulo’s knack for good one liners, so instead I make awkward movements, say awkward things until people laugh at me, or throw in a Beyonce dance move so you are amazed (or laughing) and that is when I “click.”
So what does this mean for you? Well, you could be reading this and thinking that I sound like a total werido or your could use this whole awkward thing to your advantage. Let’s be honest, you will likely feel super awkward in front of the lens when we first start shooting, heck girl, I’m right there with you, cheering you on from the sidelines (sans pompoms.) You also want laid back photos that aren’t these uncomfortable poses (the ones you see on sites like “awkward family photos”) so the fact that I make wisecracks that loosen you up will totally work to our advantage. You want to look totally natural and in love and happy, right? Well, laughing is a good way to show how much you love life! Let me help you with that, darling.
Heck, let’s be honest, most wedding days have a few awkward moments: meeting that one great-aunt-twice-removed for the first time, bridesmaids gone wild, and your uncle who won’t stop doing the sprinkler on the dance floor. Girl, I am in my prime during those moments, I fit right (awkwardly) in and pick up the pieces to ensure that your day goes off without a hitch. So, trust me when I say it, I use this awkward to my advantage (and yours too!) Because we will be laughing and dancing our way to the most genuine of photos, you’ll be having so much fun you’ll probably forget about the camera and think I am just an extra bridesmaid who is trailing along on your wedding day!
Oh silly you, the fun has just begun! Grab a donut and stay awhile:
