First things first: you don't need to know how to pose, and trust me, everyone thinks they're awkward! Your session is designed to feel relaxed, natural and fun, more like a date with your person than a traditional couples photography session. There’s no pressure to perform, pose perfectly or know exactly what to do in front of the camera. That’s my job!
I’ll gently guide you when you need a little direction, giving you prompts, movement and moments to focus on each other, while also stepping back when the real, unplanned moments begin to unfold. The laughter, the quiet glances, the way you naturally reach for each other; those are often the moments that become your favourite photographs.
1. Before Your Session: Planning the Details Together
Before we meet, we’ll chat about what feels most like you! Whether that’s wandering through the forest, exploring the coastline, visiting a meaningful place or creating something inspired by your favourite stories and interests.
I’ll help guide you with location ideas, timing, outfits and anything else you need so you can arrive feeling prepared and excited rather than wondering what to expect.
In the lead up to your session, I'll send through a questionnaire to get to know you better and tailor your session to you, as well as a client preparation guide with everything you need to know!
2. The First Few Minutes Are Just About Settling In
The beginning of your session isn’t about immediately creating the perfect photograph, it’s about getting comfortable. Most couples feel a little nervous at first, especially if it’s their first time in front of a camera, and that’s completely normal! I pride myself on making everyone feel as comfortable as possible, and can promise you'll have fun.
We’ll take a little time to chat, explore the location and ease into the experience together. I’ll guide you through simple prompts and conversations rather than jumping straight into anything that feels too posed or unfamiliar.
As you start to relax and forget about the camera, your natural connection begins to come through. The way you laugh together, the little touches and the moments in between the prompts are often where the magic happens.
3. No Awkward Posing; Just Natural Direction
You’ll never be left wondering what to do with your hands or where to stand. I’ll guide you through gentle prompts and movement so the session feels natural to you as a couple, rather than like a series of poses.
Think walking together, sharing a conversation, dancing, laughing, holding hands or simply taking a quiet moment together. The goal is making this feel more like a date, with a camera quietly nearby.
4. Connection, Not Perfection
Your session isn’t about creating a perfectly posed version of your relationship, it’s about capturing the little things that make it yours.
The way you naturally reach for each other, the way you laugh at an inside joke, the quiet moments when you forget the camera is there; these are the moments that hold the most meaning. The photographs that often become favourites aren’t always the ones where everything looks perfectly arranged, but the ones where you can feel the connection between you.
I’ll guide you throughout the session, but I’ll never ask you to be someone you’re not. This is where my questionnaire really pays off, allowing me to cater prompts and interaction that are true to you. Whether your relationship is playful and full of laughter, soft and sentimental, or somewhere in between, the goal is always the same: photographs that feel like you, not a performance of what love is supposed to look like.
5. Choosing a Location That Feels Like You
The location sets the atmosphere, but the story belongs to you. Whether it’s a misty forest, windswept coastline, cosy bookstore or somewhere that holds meaning in your relationship, the best location is one where you feel comfortable being yourselves. You can find more romantic location inspiration around Melbourne here.
Your session should feel like an experience you’d actually want to have together, not just somewhere you go to take photos.
More inspiration for your session:
Romantic Engagement Photo Locations in Melbourne
Romantic Date Ideas in Melbourne
A Retro Inspired 90s Rollerskating Date in the Yarra Valley
Ready to Create Something Meaningful?
A couples session is more than just a collection of beautiful photographs. It’s a chance to slow down, spend intentional time together and capture this chapter exactly as it feels right now.
If you’re looking for a relaxed, guided experience with photographs that feel natural, nostalgic, and full of emotion, I’d love to help tell your story!
Whether you’re planning an engagement session, celebrating an anniversary, or simply want photographs of the two of you as you are now, I approach every session with the same focus on making it relaxed, personal and completely your own.
If you’re looking for couples photography in Melbourne that feels more like an experience than a traditional photoshoot, you can find out more about my couples sessions here.
And if you’re looking for inspiration for your next date, have a look at my unique date ideas in Melbourne — there might be somewhere there that becomes the setting for your own session!
FAQ
We feel awkward in front of the camera. Will you tell us what to do?
Of course. You don't need any modelling experience or know how to pose. I'll gently guide you when you need it, but the focus is never on performing for the camera. Instead, I'll encourage you to interact naturally, giving you space to laugh, talk, wander, and simply enjoy being together while I quietly document everything as it unfolds.
Do we have to be affectionate in front of the camera?
Not at all! This is where my questionnaire comes into play, so we can accurately reflect your relationship in your photos. Whether you’re playful, quiet, sentimental or somewhere in between, we’ll focus on the way you naturally connect.
How long does a couples session take?
Most sessions run between one and three hours. One hour is perfect for an intimate session focused on couple portraits, while two-three hours gives us more time to explore the location, try different setups and really settle into a relaxed rhythm - which almost always produces the best images.
What should we wear for a bookstore couples photoshoot?
Choose something you feel comfortable and confident in. I recommend outfits that move well, feel like you and complement the environment rather than distracting from the connection between you.
If you're still exploring, here are a few helpful places to get a feel for how I work:
