Avoncroft Museum Pre-Wedding Shoot | Jamie and Lizzie

“Just wanted to say a massive thank you for Sunday; you made Lizzie and I feel so much more comfortable and at ease during our photo session! Can’t wait to see the photos.”

Then, after seeing their photos they both sent me this message:

“These images are amazing. We’re are both so happy with the way they’ve come out and can’t wait to share them with our family and friends. You’ve made us even more excited to have you document our big day. We can’t thank you enough.“

When Jamie said they’d like to arrange an Avoncroft Museum pre-wedding shoot, I knew I was in for a treat shooting because of being able to shoot in this open-air museum of rescued buildings which have been relocated to its site in Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove. While I’d never been to Avoncroft Museum before, only ever hearing about it over the years and seeing images from other photographers, this location seemed like a feast for the eyes with so much to see and do.

How to Get Relaxed During Your Pre-Wedding Shoot

So how do you get someone relaxed during a portrait session if they hate having your photo taken? This seemed like the challenge set me for this Avoncroft Museum Pre-wedding photo shoot for Jamie and Lizzie, although in the end it wasn’t since everything went so smoothly.

Because I’m like Jamie, I hate having my photo taken, and if I’m simply asked to smile for the camera, I feel unnatural and uncomfortable. After all , what if I’ve nothing to smile/laugh about at that particular moment in time? So this is where the documentary, un-posed style of shooting comes into it’s own.

Therefore, my style of shooting/plan for the session is never to aim for the smiley-smiley-into-the camera-photos. It’s for this reason I believe if a smile comes naturally, all good and well. If not, no worries. As a result, I’d much rather capture somebody’s genuine emotions rather than make then pose or show an expression that’s unnatural to their personality.

So for Jamie and Lizzie, I let them interact freely with each other, while I move around discreetly photographing them from different angles. This promotes better expressions and reactions.

Things I Say to Get a Couple to Feel Relaxed

Sometimes I gently prompted/encouraged them to chat about things like: Their wedding plans so far. What have they still got to sort? Have they finalised their guest list?

One of my favourite prompts is to ask the groom-to-be to tell his bride-to-be what sort of dress he thinks she’ll wear on their wedding day. That usually brings fits of laughter as the bride thinks “Are you kidding me? Green with purple spots! Yeh right!” At that point I’m using a longer lens so can’t hear what he says as they snuggle closer. It’s none of my business. Its only their interaction and reaction I’m interested in capturing.

In conclusion how to get relaxed during your pre-wedding shoot is easy. Choose a documentary styled photographer who’s skilled as natural, un-posed type of photographs. This will allow you to enjoy the session far more than being camera-aware.

Also, you can view their wedding images here.