It’s a Snap

Photograph by Zac Wolf

Snuggle Up

A little romance is always in style, so get close to your beloved. “It doesn’t have to be for a kiss, either, because those intimate smiles are just as beautiful as a smooch,” says Zac Wolf, a Boston-based photographer. Tip: Side views tend to hide less-than-toned midsections, among other trouble spots.

Ditch the Paparazzi

People tend to pose self-consciously in front of camera-wielding gawkers—even if they are excited family members and friends. And “if you feel awkward, you’ll look awkward,” Wolf says. Don’t feel guilty about not socializing during cocktail hour: A good photographer will run damage control.

Photograph by Lisa Rigby

Be Reflective

“Right after the ceremony, couples are so emotional that I’ll just have them embrace,” says Lisa Rigby, who shoots weddings across New England. “Sometimes I’ll even have them close their eyes. I let them stay that way for a minute, so they can soak in the moment. This can result in a powerful and authentic portrait.”

Call Your Spouse

Try using the words “husband” and “wife” while you’re posing for the camera—it “gets people to relax and smile naturally,” says local photographer Tim Correira.

Photograph by Lisa Rigby

Show Your Hands

“I always like the couple to be doing something with their hands: touching or holding,” Rigby says. “When I see a hand dangling in a portrait, I will often engage it with a veil or flowers. With grooms, I’ll have them clasp their hands together, or put one hand in their pocket.”

Photograph by Person + Killian

Appease Mom and Dad

Every parent’s top request is a head-on, posed shot for framing. While angled poses do tend to be more flattering, there are a few tricks for making a traditional portrait more appealing. “We’re able to flatter both bride and groom by keeping them close, turning her into him and under his shoulder, pulling her arm away from her body, and having them slightly lean forward at the waist,” says Person + Killian’s Laurén Killian. So stop, smile into the camera, and remember the people who got you here in the first place.

And…Eat Something

Ask your event planner to sneak you a few small appetizers and a glass of champagne before photo time. “By eating just a little bit, you can keep your energy up and the butterflies tamed,” says Tara Morris, of Hitched Studios. “Be nice to yourself—you’re an integral part of
the day.”

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