Maine & NH Wedding Photographer // The Anti-Pose Engagement Session: How We Ditched the Awkward and Got the Real Shit

Let’s cut the crap — if you're worried about looking awkward in your engagement photos, you are not alone. Like, at all. Almost every couple I work with starts out saying the same thing:
“We’re kind of awkward in front of the camera.”

And to that I say: Perfect. Let’s get weird.

Posing Is Out. Moving Is In.

Here’s the deal: I don’t want you to feel like you’re at prom circa 2004 with your hands in weird places and a fake smile glued to your face. I’m not about that “tilt your head, now look like you love each other” energy.

Instead, I give you prompts that get you moving, laughing, talking — doing stuff that makes you forget I’m even there. It’s like tricking your brain into being chill. I’ll put you in a good spot lighting-wise (I am a professional after all), then throw something at you like:

• “Walk like you’re drunk and trying to impress your dog.”

• “Whisper your favorite breakfast food in your sexiest voice.”

• “Spin her around like you're in a bad rom-com, but she’s winning an Oscar.”

Is it chaos? Yes. Is it fun? Also yes. And the photos? You’ll look like you. Not like a Hallmark couple who met on a fake Christmas tree farm.

Why I Hate Awkward Photos (and Why You Will Too)

If you're stiff, I’m not doing my job right. My goal is to make this feel more like a hangout with a third wheel (hi, it's me) than a photoshoot. I want your real laughs, real connection, real “holy sh*t, we’re getting married” energy — not robot poses with zero soul.

Because when you look back on these, I don’t want you to see a bunch of curated, overly posed nonsense. I want you to remember how you felt.

The Result: You, But Cooler

With this whole anti-pose thing, your photos end up looking like you — just a slightly more cinematic version. The version that still belly laughs, still stumbles through a piggyback ride, still makes out like teenagers in the back of a pickup truck (but with better lighting).

So if you're down for a session that feels more like a date and less like a Sears catalog shoot, I’m your person. You bring the love. I’ll bring the weird prompts and camera.

Let’s make some real shit together.