What If We Hate Being in Front of the Camera?

You’re not alone. In fact, most of the couples we work with say something like:

“We love your work, but just so you know—we’re terrible in front of the camera.”

Here’s the thing: it’s completely normal to feel that way. And no, you’re not terrible. You’re human.

At Smiling Tiger Studios, we’ve spent 15+ years working with real people—not models—who just want to enjoy their wedding day and still walk away with beautiful, meaningful photos.

So if you’re worried you won’t look relaxed or confident on camera, this one’s for you.

Why Do So Many of Us Feel Awkward in Photos?

There are loads of reasons—some of them deeply human:

We’re used to seeing ourselves in selfies or staged images
We’ve had bad experiences with unflattering or over-posed photos
We fear looking “forced” or unlike ourselves

The irony is, the more you try to look “perfect,” the more disconnected the photos can feel.

That’s why our approach is all about something different: presence, not perfection.

📅 Now booking 2025 & 2026 weddings

Let’s chat about what you have in mind. Get in touch to check your date.

Want to see what this looks like in action? View our real weddings for honest storytelling at its finest.

You Don’t Have to Perform—You Just Have to Be Present

Our documentary approach means you’re not expected to do anything for the camera.

We work around you, capturing moments as they happen—not asking you to repeat them or act them out. That means:

No awkward posing
No “look at each other and laugh” instructions
No pressure to perform

You’ll be living your day. We’ll be watching, anticipating, and documenting it quietly from the sidelines.

Real Couples, Real Photos

Want proof? Take a look through our real wedding blogs. The laughter, the emotion, the connection—none of it is staged.

Those couples? Many of them said the exact same thing you’re saying now.

They didn’t want the spotlight. They wanted to feel like themselves. And that’s exactly what we gave them.

Tips to Feel More Comfortable (Even If You’re Camera-Shy)

Get to know your photographer – A Zoom call or coffee can do wonders for nerves
Book an engagement shoot – Low pressure, high connection. You’ll surprise yourselves
Let go of the pressure to pose – The most powerful moments are the unplanned ones
Trust the process – A seasoned photographer knows how to capture you at your best without ever interrupting the moment

You Deserve to Be in the Frame

This is the heart of it:

Even if you’ve never liked having your photo taken, you deserve to look back on your wedding day and see yourself fully in it—laughing, hugging, crying, dancing.

You don’t need to change a thing. Just be present. Let us handle the rest.

Let’s Make Choosing Easy

At Smiling Tiger Studios, we help couples feel relaxed, seen, and celebrated. We offer documentary-style wedding photography in Dorset and across the UK, specialising in real, unposed storytelling that captures your day exactly as it felt.