“I'm Not Very Photogenic” — And Other Things We Hear Before Every Wedding

In six years of photographing weddings across Somerset and the South West, we've noticed something. Couples tend to fall into one of two camps: those who are a little camera shy, and those who absolutely aren't. There's very rarely anyone in between.

Both are brilliant to work with, for the record. But it's the nervous ones we want to talk to today - because the thing they're most worried about is almost never as bad as they think.

"I'm not very photogenic"

We hear this constantly. It comes up in enquiry emails, in first meetings, in messages sent at 11pm by people who've just been scrolling through photography portfolios for two hours. And we understand why — most people's experience of being photographed is a phone shoved in their face at a family gathering, resulting in a photo they immediately want to delete.

But here's the thing: you don't see yourself the way other people see you. And on your wedding day, in all your finery, surrounded by the people who love you most — you are going to look incredible. We've photographed hundreds of couples who described themselves as unphotogenic. We are yet to meet one who actually was.

The audience couldn't be more on your side

Nerves about being photographed often come from feeling watched or judged. So it's worth remembering who's actually going to be there on your wedding day — not strangers, not critics, but a room full of people who are genuinely thrilled to be celebrating you. It's the most supportive audience you will ever have. Everyone is rooting for you before you've even walked in.

We'd love to meet you beforehand

One of the most useful things we offer is a pre-wedding shoot — a relaxed hour or two together before the big day, usually somewhere that means something to you. No pressure, no agenda, just a chance for us all to get comfortable with each other.

It makes a genuine difference. By the time your wedding day arrives, we're not strangers with cameras — we're people you've already spent time with, had a laugh with, and know you can trust. Couples who've done a pre-wedding shoot with us consistently say they felt more relaxed on the day, and it shows in the photos.

Our cameras are quieter than you'd think

Part of the reason we chose to shoot with Fujifilm cameras is that they're genuinely unobtrusive. The bodies and lenses are significantly smaller and lighter than the big black cameras you might associate with professional photography, and the shutter sound is barely audible — which matters a lot during a ceremony or quiet moment.

We're not going to be looming over you with something that looks like it belongs on a film set. Most of the time, you won't even register that we've taken a picture.

We blend in — that's the whole point

Our entire approach is built around not being noticed. We don't pose, we don't direct, and we don't interrupt, unless you ask us for some gentle guidance, which we're happy to give. We move quietly around the edges of your day, watching for the moments that are already happening rather than creating ones that aren't.

The goal is for you to forget we're there. And more often than not, that's exactly what happens.

What about flash?

We know the dreaded pop of a flash can make people feel like they're at a press conference rather than a wedding. So we use it sparingly — generally only once the evening party is in full swing, when it fits naturally into the energy of the room and nobody's going to flinch at it.

During the ceremony, the speeches, the quieter moments of the day — we rely on natural light and our cameras' ability to perform in low light. The exception is a very dark venue; we once photographed a wedding at the Roman Baths in Bath, where flash was genuinely necessary and worked beautifully. But that's the exception, not the rule. For most weddings, you'll barely see a flash until the dancefloor is packed.

The flashes were hidden behind the columns and fired remotely on low power.

If you're planning a wedding in Somerset, Devon, Dorset or anywhere across the South West and you're already quietly dreading having your photo taken — please get in touch. We've heard "I'm not very photogenic" more times than we can count. We've never once believed it.