How to Help Shy Couples Feel Comfortable in Front of the Camera
How to Help Shy Couples Feel Comfortable in Front of the Camera | Skyler Maire Photography
Tell me if this has ever happened to you: You show up to a photoshoot pumped and ready to try out all these new fun prompts and poses with your couple. But when you meet them in person, you quickly discover they’re super awkward and uncomfortable in front of the camera. You know—limp arms at the side of their body and that deer-in-headlights look. They take less than a second to perform any simple prompt you give them, and no matter how many times you tell them not to look at you, they’re still glancing over their shoulder for the next direction. 😁
Honestly, I feel their pain. If I weren’t a photographer, I would 1000% be that way, too!
We’ve all had clients like that—the ones who are beyond the “normal” kind of awkward and uncomfortable. We, as photographers, can usually handle the mildly uncomfortable. In fact, most of our clients probably start off this way. We think that with enough positive reassurance, everyone will eventually loosen up and enjoy themselves! But that’s simply not the case for everyone.
So, how do we help shy couples feel comfortable in front of the camera? I’m glad you asked! 😊 (Or really, clicked on this blog post to find out!)
Give Them the Pep Talk + Don’t “Correct” Them
Chances are you’ve already given them a little pep talk at the start of your session. Mine usually goes something like, “I’m going to gently guide you throughout the session, sometimes with fun prompts and other times with simple poses. But I’ll also give you plenty of space to just be. Throughout the session, I encourage you to interact with each other naturally, as though I wasn’t here.” If your couple is really uncomfortable, try adding something like, “Just know that you can never do anything wrong! It’s just a photoshoot, not heart surgery!” And when your couple does something “wrong” (like using the wrong hand or looking at you when you didn’t ask them to), instead of immediately correcting them, just take the picture and then gently redirect: “Okay, now try that while looking at her!” or “Now try that with your left hand!”
This is especially important when you’re figuring out how to help shy couples feel comfortable in front of the camera. Never correct them in a way that makes them feel like they did something wrong. Reinforcing their self-consciousness will only make them more nervous, and that’s the opposite of what you want!
Get Them Talking
I once photographed a couple who had an entire vision for their session. They had even shared a Pinterest board with me for inspiration, so I assumed they’d be really excited, talkative and comfortable. But when we started the session, they were actually super shy and quiet! I tried everything—making fun of myself, giving positive reinforcement, showing them how great they looked on the back of my camera—but nothing worked.
Then I started asking them personal questions about their interests—what they like to do on weekends, their favorite music and books. Once I found a topic they were passionate about, they started to loosen up. One key thing here: find something they both enjoy. If you can get them talking about a shared interest, they’ll start interacting with each other naturally, which helps them forget the camera is even there.
This approach is a game-changer when figuring out how to help shy couples feel comfortable in front of the camera. That session ended up producing some really beautiful and honest interactions.
Don’t Overpose Them
When people feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, keep the poses simple. Have them hold hands and walk, share a hug, or sit down and watch the sunset together. Give them easy instructions with room for interpretation, and then see what they do. Less is often more!
If they’re still struggling with even the simplest poses, move on to my next tip…
Show Them An Example OR Physically Put Them Into the Pose
Sometimes, the easiest way to help shy couples feel comfortable in front of the camera is to show them exactly what you mean. I keep a folder of pose examples on my phone for moments like this. Just pull out your phone and show them the pose you’re trying to recreate. This is especially helpful if you’re trying to get a specific image that highlights wedding rings, a veil, or other important details.
Another approach I use, especially during weddings, is to physically guide my clients into a pose. If I want a classic shot but they aren’t quite nailing it, I’ll ask, “Is it okay if I adjust your pose?” Then I’ll gently move their hands or arms into place. Believe it or not, a lot of my clients have thanked me for this! They appreciate the clear direction, especially when they’re nervous about posing on their own.
Repeat Prompts + Poses
This tip works whether the couple is shy or not! Don’t hesitate to repeat prompts and poses during your session. The more they do something, the more comfortable they become, and they’ll start to get the hang of what looks good on camera. Just make sure you’re switching up locations, angles, and crops so the final images still look varied.
And of course, don’t forget to build their confidence with positive feedback! I love telling my clients, “Wow, I don’t even need to guide you anymore—you’re naturals at this!” Not only does this encourage them, but it also helps them feel more confident and comfortable in front of the camera.
In Conclusion…
Learning how to help shy couples feel comfortable in front of the camera is all about creating a relaxed environment, keeping things simple, and giving them positive reinforcement. A little patience and understanding can go a long way, and before you know it, your clients will be interacting naturally and looking amazing!
Ready to confidently direct your next shy couple and capture those authentic moments? Check out my free guide, Nine Effortless Poses to Make Any Couple Look Amazing, for some quick and easy posing inspiration!
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November 11, 2024
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