SWR: I'm not photogenic...what if none of my wedding pics come out right?

Do you have a friend who does amatuer photography or just enjoys taking pics? If you do, maybe you and her/him could just go and spend an afternoon taking some practice pics...posing, smiling, not posing (maybe playing on a playground or something)....just some time in front of a camera to get you more comfortable?

This is probably one of my biggest fears! First of all I look like I'm 12 already!!! And second I take horrible photos the one on my profile is 6 years old but I put it there because it's the only pic of me I like. Finding a photographer is gonna be my least favorite part of this whole process!

Yes, I am right there with you on this front. I have a good side and a not so good side. I want that side to be banned from all photographs!!! How do you communicate that to your photog without sounding certified or Bridezilla-ish?

I'm worried about this too! This is actually my biggest wedding-related fear, thus far. I don't want to look back on my wedding photos and be preoccupied with how unphotogenic I am. I've learned through the years that if I stay aware of my posture and keep my chin straight forward, the pictures turn out relatively decent. Otherwise I look slumped over and sloppy. *sigh*

This was one of my biggest fears, because if you ask me to smile and pose, I get tense and look weird. I told my photographer and we decided on not many look at the camera and smile photos, I'd say 70% of my photos are "candid" shots (see profile pic) and they amazing. I've never taken such great photos. Plus the posed ones (a few with family), he caught us when we were just laughing at stuff, rather than standing there saying "cheese". With the makeup, the hair and a great photographer, you'll look amazing!

We're forgoing formal portraits and a professional photographer partially because of this issue - I HATE to pose for photographs, HATE HATE HATE it. I find it very awkward and intrusive. So every photo of me tends to be unflattering and weird-looking, because I just plain want the camera out of my face ASAP. I also have a talent for having my slip hang out or my ahir

So FFIL is going to take some posed shots (he's very into photography) and we've deputized friends to take candids at the reception. Luckily a lot of our friends are artistic types who have taken photography courses. And if they don't look "professional," it won't be the end of the world.

This is one of my biggest wedding fears too. I am mostly concerned because we cannot afford an awesome photographer and I need someone who is going to be able to know how to pose us and make us feel comfortable.

My biggest concern is that my smile won't look natural in the posed pictures. Especially if there is a delay in taking the pictures. Sometimes my professional pictures have smiles that look plastered on... YIKES!

I HATE HATE pictures period. For years now I've avoided anyone with a camera. No matter happy or not the pictures aways taken of me are terrible. For our wedding I'm not going to worry, I figure as long as I get one picture that I like great. I'm so glad that I'm not the only one. Just think the more pictures they take when your the happiest your going to get some pictures that you will like.

I think that hiring a good make-up artist would help. Not that you aren't pretty, but there are certain tips and illusions that you can create that help when you may have bad lighting. Like gloss on the cheek bone and dark color under the eyebrow and stuff like that.

Regarding the "back fat" post... at first I was like "huh" but then I didn't take offense to it...because clearly she doesn't know me...my back is actually one of my best assets

@Brian C... yes the same photographer that did the e-pics will do our wedding. It will be an awkward conversation to have...the wedding company we booked has photography as part of their package and so I am not sure that I could ex it out. I have seen some of his work and they look good..just that I am not happy with my pictures.

@bluedaisy... we are using a friend who is an amateur for our e-pics reshoot...so I hope to find some happy poses

@Dory...same issue here.. my smiles sometimes look soo plastered. The one pic I like.. was taken when FH said something funny and I had to tilt my head back to laugh...

Thanks everyone for sharing

@kablarkin... I hope to find a make-up artist who could do the trick.. I am dark-skinned and so far I haven't found a make-up artist who has ever done someone with my complexion.. I don't even know if that matters :-|

This is actually a dress fitting picture ... dress I didn't end up getting because DB seamstress was very rude... but my back is one of my favorite assets... hence I wanted a dress with back-detail as such..

No back fat here

I hate taking pics too...

NCbride: I agree with pretty much everything my fellow photogs have said above. A good photographer, will combine lighting, and pose to achieve a more flattering look. Sometimes, the best way to take someone's pic is from a 45 deg angle, so that the profile pose makes one look slimmer, and combined with the proper lighting, makes for a perfect shot. Also, don't try to break your head on how to pose, besides that being a photographer's job, the best pictures are the ones your not aware they're being taken, and on your day, you won't have enough time to worry about how your face looks on the pics.

Word of advice, RELAX!!!

NC Bride...you are beautiful! (at least what I can see from your photo above. I become a stand up comedian during the formals session. Everyone always ends up having a blast. During the formals with hubby...and when your friend does some "reshooting", think of this as a time just for the two of you...talk to him...whisper sweet nothings in his ear...try to get him to laugh, and you will laugh too. Kiss him...let him kiss you....and so on, and your photos will turn out much better...don't worry so much about looking at the camera. Check out some of Brian's photos, Lumi's photos, my blog...you'll notice that not all engagement or wedding photos are necessarily posed with the bride & groom looking at the camera. You'll look beautiful!!

Nc bride - yep no back fat there. The best advice I have about pics would be to not "pose". Just try to relax and enjoy the people around you and the pics should show that.

That's funny about DB seamstress. I had the SAME problem at our DB. She was very rude and I will not go back because of it.

@jenn..you're funny..but what does STFU mean??

Ms. turner... it means shut the *&#$ up....

nc bride

Hire a photographer that you are 100% comfortable in front of.. this is very important. Have a cocktail or two before in order to "relax" and embrace the moment! (don't go to far with the "relax" part)

I find it works better with a bride who is uncomfortable with being photographed is to try and forget about me and get them to talk to her man and I shoot with a longer lens to give some more space between me and the subjects.

What I have mainly figured out is that people who "Don't" photograph well is because they are tensing up because they "THINK" they don't photograph well. Most of it is mental.

Hire a professional to bring out your beauty.