Wedding Inspiration and Behind-the-Scenes
THE JOURNAL
Behind the Lens: How We Capture Real Emotion Without Awkward Posing
Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right photographer. I get it. You want photos that look beautiful, but more than that, you want them to feel like you.
Hi, I’m Brandon Allan, a Nashville-based wedding photographer who travels anywhere love takes me. Over the years, I’ve realized that the best photos aren’t about perfect poses. They’re about real emotion. They’re about helping couples relax, be themselves, and forget the camera is even there.
In this blog, I want to share how I capture genuine emotion without awkward posing, what that process looks like, and why it creates photos that truly last.
What “Real Emotion” Means in Wedding Photography
Real emotion in wedding photography isn’t about forced smiles or holding your breath until you hear the shutter click. It’s about documenting the honest reactions that unfold naturally — the laughter, the tears, the nerves, the excitement.
When you look back at your wedding gallery, I want you to feel the day again. The warmth of your partner’s hand, the moment your family saw you in your dress, the joy that made you forget to breathe for a second. Those are the moments that matter most.
For me, photographing real emotion means noticing the in-between moments: the ones you don’t plan but will never forget.
How I Build Trust Before the Camera Ever Comes Out
The secret to natural photos starts long before I even lift the camera.
I always take time to get to know my couples before the wedding day. We might meet for coffee, talk through your story, or do an engagement session to get comfortable working together. By the time your wedding arrives, you don’t feel like you’re being photographed by a stranger.
When you trust your photographer, you can let your guard down. You don’t have to think about what your hands are doing or whether your smile looks “right.” You can just be in the moment.
During your wedding, I’ll check in with you quietly, but I’ll never interrupt an emotional moment. My goal is to create a space where you feel seen and supported, not directed or staged.
If you’d like to dive deeper into what to expect, I’ve written about the real cost of a Nashville wedding photographer and how that trust-based connection shapes your experience.
Why “No Posing” Doesn’t Mean “No Direction”
When I say I don’t believe in awkward posing, I don’t mean you’ll be left to figure it out on your own. “No posing” means no stiff instructions like “tilt your chin this way” or “hold that smile.”
Instead, I use prompts and gentle guidance to help you interact naturally. I might say:
- “Walk toward me and talk about where you’re going for your honeymoon.”
- “Pull each other close like you’re trying to stay warm.”
- “Whisper something that will make them laugh.”
These kinds of cues create movement, laughter, and real reactions. Before you know it, you’ve stopped thinking about the camera altogether.
I’ll also guide you into flattering light, adjust your angle slightly, or fix a detail like a flyaway hair; always in a way that feels natural and relaxed. The goal is to help you look your best without ever feeling forced.
Tools and Prompts I Use to Capture Authentic Emotion
Here are a few of my go-to techniques for bringing out natural connection:
1. Storytelling Prompts
I might ask you to describe your first date, or what your partner does that always makes you laugh. The way you look at each other while remembering those moments tells a story all on its own.
2. Movement Over Posing
Instead of “stand here and smile,” I’ll ask you to walk, dance, or spin. Movement keeps you relaxed and gives me a chance to capture the little micro-expressions that happen in between.
3. Real Interaction
Sometimes, the best moments happen when you’re just being you. I’ll step back and let you talk, play, or simply breathe together. Those in-between frames — the ones where you aren’t posing at all — often end up being the favorites.
4. Gentle Guidance
When I do give direction, it’s simple. I might say, “Look toward the light,” or “Lean in a little closer.” My role isn’t to choreograph your day. It’s to capture it truthfully.
5. Environment and Energy
Whether it’s a rooftop in Nashville, a quiet mountain overlook, or a candlelit indoor space, I use your surroundings to shape the moment. Instead of forcing you into a pose, I let the environment and your emotions guide how the image unfolds.
Real Examples From Weddings I’ve Photographed
Every couple is different, but these real stories show how genuine emotion always shines through.
1. Lakeside Laughter
During a lakeside wedding at sunset, I asked the couple to take a quiet walk. He said something that made her laugh so hard she nearly fell into the water and I caught that split-second of laughter as it happened. That’s the kind of photo you can’t fake.
2. The Porch Hug
At a Nashville backyard wedding, the couple sat on the porch steps to take a break. As they relaxed, she wrapped her arms around him from behind. It wasn’t planned or posed, it was just a moment of love between the chaos of the day.
3. Dancing in the Field
Out in a wildflower field, I asked one couple to dance like no one was watching. Within seconds they were spinning, laughing, and forgetting everything else. When they saw that photo later, they said it felt exactly like them.
These moments happen naturally when you stop worrying about how you look and start focusing on how you feel.
Emotion Over Perfection
The truth is, your wedding photos don’t need to be perfect to be powerful.
They need to be honest.
They need to remind you of what it felt like to be there.
When you flip through your album years from now, I don’t want you to just see what happened. I want you to feel it.
That’s why I believe in emotion over perfection. Your laugh lines, your wind-blown hair, your unscripted reactions; they’re all part of the story.
If you want more insight into this approach, you can read my local’s guide to choosing a wedding photographer in Nashville or explore what it means to work with a documentary-style photographer in Nashville.
FAQ: How to Avoid Awkward Posing
Q: What if we’re not photogenic?
Almost every couple says this at first, and every single one ends up proving themselves wrong. My job is to make you comfortable enough that you forget the camera is there.
Q: How can we look natural in our wedding photos?
Interact with each other instead of focusing on me. Walk, talk, and be yourselves. When you’re connected to your partner, your body language relaxes and genuine emotion takes over.
Q: Will we still get traditional portraits?
Yes. I always include a few classic portraits with family and your wedding party. The difference is that even those moments will feel relaxed and real.
Q: What if we feel nervous during the first few photos?
That’s completely normal. Most couples warm up within ten minutes. Once we start laughing and moving, you’ll forget any nerves and just enjoy the moment.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding day is full of emotion… joy, nerves, excitement, love… and it all deserves to be remembered exactly as it happens.
When you trust your photographer and focus on each other, the magic happens naturally. You’ll walk away with photos that don’t just look beautiful but feel alive.
That’s the heart of my work: helping couples relive the emotion of their day, without ever feeling posed or pressured.
If you’re planning your wedding in Nashville or anywhere else and you’re drawn to that honest, documentary style, I’d love to tell your story next.
