Know Your Lighting, Know Your Moment
Natural smiles often come from feeling at ease, and few things make people more comfortable than flattering lighting. Think golden hour—a time so perfect even your crankiest uncle starts looking like a movie star. Soft, diffused light creates a glow that encourages relaxation. If golden hour isn’t an option, look for open shade or use soft diffusers to avoid harsh shadows. Trust me, nothing kills the mood faster than someone realizing their nose shadow is doing a Groucho Marx impersonation.Timing is everything. Plan your shots when the couple is most likely to be relaxed and happy. This could be right after the ceremony when adrenaline and love are still riding high or during candid moments at the reception when everyone’s had a little wine and a lot of cake. The key is to keep your eyes open and anticipate when those emotions are bubbling to the surface.
The Art of Conversation
Here’s a secret: people smile naturally when they’re genuinely enjoying themselves. That’s where you come in, armed with your wit and charm—or at least a solid dad joke. Strike up conversations with your subjects. Ask the couple about their honeymoon plans, or get the best man reminiscing about the time he and the groom got lost in Amsterdam. These small exchanges create moments of genuine connection, and you’ll catch the smiles as they happen.Sometimes, silence is golden, too. During couple portraits, give the newlyweds space to interact with each other. A simple, “Whisper something funny into her ear,” or “Show him how much you love him without using words,” can lead to real, tender moments that no staged pose can match. When people stop thinking about the camera and focus on each other, magic happens.
Make It a Team Effort
Your camera may be the MVP, but you need the wedding party as your cheerleaders. Enlist the maid of honor, best man, or even the flower girl to help create a light-hearted atmosphere. These people know the couple better than you do and can bring out authentic emotions with a quick quip or a shared memory.For group shots, avoid the stiff, “everyone stand in a straight line” approach. Encourage movement or playfulness. Ask everyone to look at the couple instead of the camera. Or try having everyone share what they love most about the bride or groom (but maybe cut off Uncle Mike before his toast gets…unfiltered). Movement and interaction will help dissolve any awkwardness and bring out natural expressions.
Watch for the Unscripted
Candid moments are where wedding photography truly shines. The way the groom’s face lights up when he sees the bride, the flower girl sneaking another cupcake, or Grandma cutting a rug on the dance floor—these are the moments that make wedding albums worth flipping through.Stay alert for these genuine interactions, but don’t be intrusive. Blend into the background like a stealthy photography ninja. A heavy-handed, paparazzi-style approach will only make people self-conscious and ruin the spontaneity. Sometimes the best way to capture the heart of the celebration is to be invisible.
Fake Smiles Need Not Apply
One of the fastest ways to spot a forced smile is to ask for one. Instead of instructing someone to smile, try giving them a reason to smile. Compliment their outfit, tell a quick anecdote, or point out something adorable happening nearby. If all else fails, reminding them to think about their wedding cake might do the trick. (Seriously, who doesn’t smile at the thought of cake?)When working with kids, patience is your best tool. Little ones are unpredictable, and their moods can swing faster than a DJ shifting from “Uptown Funk” to “Shout.” Let them play and do their thing, and you’ll often get the best photos when they’re just being their unfiltered, giggling selves.
Happily Ever Laughter
At the end of the day, the best smiles come when everyone’s having a genuinely good time. As the photographer, you’re as much a part of the energy of the day as the DJ or the champagne. Keep things light, be flexible, and don’t stress if every shot isn’t perfect.Remember, wedding photos aren’t about flawless perfection—they’re about capturing the love, joy, and maybe a few well-timed laugh lines. Because let’s face it, those are the moments people will cherish most, even if the bride’s veil was blowing a little off-kilter. And who doesn’t love a good blooper reel?
Article kindly provided by kdhweddings.com