Let’s get Intimate…Intimate.

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Couple portraits shouldn’t feel stiff or performative. They shouldn’t feel like you’re posing for strangers or trying to look like someone else’s wedding gallery.

The best portraits happen when you forget the camera is there — when you settle into each other, breathe, laugh, whisper something ridiculous, and let the moment pull you closer.

This guide is here to help you create space for real intimacy. Not forced intimacy — honest connection.

A man and woman stand closely outdoors, touching foreheads and smiling at each other, with trees and hills in the background.

What This Isn’t

This isn’t a modeling session.

You don’t need to know angles. You don’t need to look a certain way. You don’t have to “perform love” for the camera.

We’re not interested in perfection. We’re interested in presence.

Our job is to guide quietly. Your job is to be with each other.

When to Do Your Couple Portraits

Golden Hour

The final hour before sunset is the dream:

  • warm
  • cinematic
  • soft on every skin tone
  • perfect for intimate connection

If this fits your timeline, we’ll take advantage of it.

If Golden Hour Doesn’t Work

Beautiful portraits can happen anytime:

  • right after the First Look
  • during a quiet break in the afternoon
  • a fast slip-away during dinner
  • nighttime portraits lit by string lights

If you’re building your timeline, you may want to read our guide on Scheduling Your Day.

Location, Light, and Vibe

We don’t need a mountain vista or elaborate setup. Intimacy is usually found in small pockets of calm.

Perfect spots often include:

  • the side of a building in soft shade
  • a rooftop with open sky
  • a nearby field
  • a quiet corner of the venue
  • a tree line with warm evening light

Give us a few minutes to scout, and we’ll find a place where the world falls away.

How to Feel Comfortable

You don’t need to pretend. You don’t need to hold still or “smile naturally.”

Intimate portraits work best when you move.

  • Walk together
  • Lean in
  • Play with each other’s hands
  • Whisper something only they’ll hear
  • Rest your forehead against theirs
  • Breathe in sync for a moment

If you’re introverted, shy, or uncertain — that’s okay. We match your pace. Stillness can be just as intimate as motion.

For more context on easing into portraits earlier in the day, you might want to read Shooting Beforehand.

A bride and groom kiss in front of a cloud at sunset.

Making the Most of the Moment

This is one of the rare times during your wedding day where it’s just the two of you.

To protect that:

  • Set aside 15–30 minutes
  • Step away when dinner begins
  • Choose a spot near the venue to save time
  • Let the noise fade behind you

A short session can still feel deep and grounding. It’s not about minutes — it’s about presence.

You can browse examples of this style in our Wedding Portfolio.

A couple sits closely and gazes at each other in a dimly lit room. Behind them, a neon sign reads "Til Death.
A romantic couple seated together at a wedding or event reception with a neon sign that reads “Til Death” glowing behind them, creating an intimate and dramatic atmosphere with warm lighting and bokeh effects.

Posing vs Prompting

We guide, but we don’t choreograph. Instead of stiff poses, we use prompts like:

  • “Walk toward me and bump into each other just a little.”
  • “Hold them like you’re trying to warm them up.”
  • “Whisper your favorite cereal into their ear like it’s a secret.”
  • “Look at their hands like you haven’t seen them in forever.”

These prompts spark natural reactions — laughter, softness, closeness. That’s what photographs beautifully.

Nighttime Portraits

If you’re up for a little drama, nighttime portraits can be stunning.

Options include:

  • Flash-lit portraits under the stars
  • Silhouettes with string lights
  • Backlit rain or mist
  • Moody shadows near the venue

They add a final emotional note to your gallery — quiet, cinematic, intentional.

A bride and groom embrace under a veil in a field.

Can We Bring Props or Pets?

Absolutely. If something is meaningful to your relationship — your dog, a motorcycle, a vintage truck, your shared hobby — bring it.

Just let us know ahead of time so we can plan lighting and timing.

A golden retriever sitting on a leash in front of a curtain.

This Is Yours

At the end of the day, your portraits belong to you. They are not a performance for guests or for Pinterest.

Take each other’s hands. Slow your breathing. Let the world soften.

We’ll frame the light around the connection that’s already there.

A bride and groom sharing their first dance in a restaurant.

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A man and woman stand facing each other on a road at night, illuminated by bright backlighting that creates a dramatic silhouette effect.
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A man and woman walk on a wooden path through a field with tall pine trees and misty mountains in the background.
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A bride and groom share a first dance in the center of a dimly lit, elegantly decorated reception hall with round tables and chandeliers.
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A bride and groom stand side by side outdoors on partially snowy ground, with the bride holding a colorful bouquet. The photo is cropped at their shoulders.
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A bride and groom stand on rocky terrain overlooking a lake, with mountains and snow-capped peaks in the background.
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A couple in formal attire kisses under a wooden structure at night, with snow falling and illuminated in the background, creating a dramatic effect.
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A silhouetted man skips a stone across a calm lake at sunset while a silhouetted woman stands watching in the foreground.
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A bride and groom share a kiss on the dance floor at their wedding reception, surrounded by seated guests in a banquet hall.
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A bride and groom laughing joyfully during an outdoor wedding ceremony, with guests clapping and mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
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Bride in white dress and veil leans on groom in suit during outdoor wedding ceremony, with guests seated in the background.
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A bride and groom stand facing each other outdoors at night, surrounded by guests holding sparklers, with smoke and lights creating a festive atmosphere.
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A bride and groom walk through a crowd of guests holding sparklers at night, with smoke and lights creating a festive atmosphere.
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A bride and groom in formal attire stand holding hands by a large, calm lake under a cloudy, dramatic sky, facing away from the camera.
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A bride and groom stand facing each other outdoors, holding a bouquet, with autumn trees and cloudy skies in the background.
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A bride and groom stand together indoors at a bar with brick walls decorated with various brewery signs and vintage decor.
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A couple stands facing each other at dusk by a river and waterfall, silhouetted against the fading light.
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A bride and groom walk down a rainy alley at night, surrounded by people blowing bubbles and taking photos; their shadows are cast on the brick walls.
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A couple stands on rocky terrain at a mountain summit, with the woman in a red dress and the man in formal attire, sharing a kiss under a cloudy sky.
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Two people are in a dimly lit bedroom; one is sitting on the bed while the other stands behind, appearing to do their hair or makeup. The room has brick walls and framed pictures.
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A bride in a white dress feeds a groom in a vest and tie outside a food truck labeled "Cheese Curds" at night.
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A bride and groom hold hands and smile at each other outdoors, with rocky hills and green trees in the background.
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A bride and groom dance together in a warmly lit barn while guests watch and smile in the background.
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A bride in a white wedding dress sits indoors reading a note, while a small dog looks up at her on a wooden floor.
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A bride in a strapless dress wipes her eye while holding paper, surrounded by guests at an outdoor wedding ceremony.
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A bride stands on a wooden bridge in the background, while a groom in a blue suit stands in the foreground, slightly out of focus. Trees surround the bridge.
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A bride and groom stand holding hands in front of a large window set in a brick wall, looking at each other.
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A woman and a man reach toward each other, with the man appearing upside down due to a mirror effect, near a lake with trees and mountains in the background.
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A bride in a white dress and a groom in a military uniform sit closely together on a wooden swing outdoors, touching foreheads.
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A man in a vest and tie and a woman in a lace dress lie side by side, holding hands, partially submerged in clear water with rocks visible below.
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A bride and groom share a kiss indoors at their wedding ceremony, with guests seated in the background watching.
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A couple stands together on a sandy beach at night, illuminated from behind, with rain or mist falling around them and palm trees in the background.
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A couple in wedding attire embrace on a grassy hill at sunset, with large orange clouds and trees in the background.
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Two men in tuxedos dance together at an outdoor wedding reception under a tent, with seated guests watching in the background.
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A man and a woman in formal attire hold coconuts in front of their faces while standing outdoors among palm trees.
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A bride and groom walk together on a snowy path through a field at sunset, with hills in the background.
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A bride in a lace wedding dress and an older man in a suit wipe away tears while standing outdoors near stairs.
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A bride and groom stand holding hands outdoors in front of green trees, looking at each other.
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A bride and groom stand together under a large tree in an open grassy field at sunset.
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A bride and groom sit on a wooden fence overlooking a scenic mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks and autumn colors.
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A bride and groom stand outdoors under green and yellow autumn trees, facing each other and smiling, with the bride holding a bouquet.
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A couple in formal attire sits waist-deep in a clear rocky river, facing each other closely and touching foreheads with hands on each other's faces.
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A couple in formal wedding attire holds hands and walks beside a lake at sunset, with trees and clouds in the background.
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A couple dressed in wedding attire stands together, the groom in a blue suit and the bride in a lace dress holding a bouquet of flowers, looking at each other and smiling.
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A woman in a lace off-shoulder wedding dress and veil sits, smiling, with her hair styled in loose curls and wearing a necklace.
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Two men in dress shirts and suspenders stand indoors; one is smiling with hands over his mouth while the other looks down, holding a bag.
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A person in formal attire is partially visible through a doorway, while another person in a white garment stands in the foreground holding the door handle.
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A bride in a lace wedding dress leans against a man in a navy suit, looking directly at the camera, with greenery in the blurred background.
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A bride and groom stand facing each other at opposite sides of a narrow hallway, with a large window behind them letting in natural light.
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A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet while standing next to a groom in a tuxedo, outdoors with green grass and trees in the background.
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A man and woman in formal clothing float on their backs in a small pool of water surrounded by large rocks and a forested area.
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A couple in wedding attire embraces outdoors at sunset, with a dramatic cloudy sky and distant hills in the background.
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A bride and groom stand outside facing each other; the bride is smiling and holding a piece of paper, with outdoor scenery in the background.
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A bride and groom stand close together, smiling and touching noses, with a wedding veil draped around them outdoors.
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A bride in a white hooded shawl stands in the foreground, with a groom in a suit behind her, both on a snowy overlook with a metal railing.
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A couple shares a dramatic dip and kiss on the dance floor during a formal event, with guests seated and watching in the background.
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Overhead view of a couple embracing on a wooden floor next to a decorated table with chairs, surrounded by scattered plates, cups, and floral arrangements.
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A bride and groom embrace near a railing at sunset by a river, with a bridge and bare trees in the background.
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A groom lifts and spins his bride on the dance floor as guests watch at a wedding reception in a decorated venue.
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Two men in white dress shirts and suspenders stand indoors; one smiles with hands covering his mouth while the other looks down, holding a garment bag.
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Two women in floral robes sit in a softly lit room; one applies makeup to the other, who is seated near a window, with their reflection visible on a shiny surface below.
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A woman in a lace wedding dress walks down a hallway, seen from behind in black and white.
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A bride in a strapless dress stands facing a patterned wall while a man in a vest and glasses stands facing her. The image is in black and white.
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A bride in a white lace gown walks hand-in-hand with a groom in a formal military uniform on a dirt road at sunset.
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A bride and groom stand facing each other by a lake at sunset, silhouetted against a partly cloudy sky.
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A woman in a white dress and floral headpiece stands between partially open glass doors in a softly lit room.
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A couple stands close together in silhouette, facing each other outdoors with mountains and a setting sun in the background.
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A woman in a wedding dress stands in a dimly lit room with exposed brick walls and hanging light bulbs.
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A couple stands close together under a tree at night, silhouetted against a bright light in the background.
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A woman pins a boutonniere onto an older man's lapel outdoors, while another man in sunglasses smiles nearby.
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A bride and groom stand holding hands, facing a group of people outdoors under a partly cloudy sky.
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A bride and groom kiss while dancing together at their wedding reception in a warmly lit venue with guests in the background.
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A bride and groom share a kiss outdoors at sunset, both dressed in formal wedding attire.
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A bride in a white dress sits by a brick wall in dim lighting, illuminated by a soft spotlight with hanging light bulbs visible above.
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A bride and groom kiss on the dance floor at their wedding reception, with sunlight shining behind them and guests seated in the background.
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A bride in a wedding dress and a man in formal attire walk toward a large barn-like building at sunset.
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Two men in tuxedos embrace outdoors; one man in a white jacket hugs the other from behind. Green foliage and a wooden fence are in the background.
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A woman in a wedding dress looks out from behind a glass door while a man stands on a wooden terrace outside, facing away.
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A silhouetted couple stands close together outdoors at dusk, surrounded by dark trees and illuminated by fading light.
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A couple in formal attire walks hand-in-hand outdoors at sunset, with a barn and trees in the background. The scene is in black and white.
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A bride and groom stand closely together on a grassy field with a white sky background, silhouetted against the horizon.
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A bride in a white dress approaches a groom in a suit from behind on an outdoor balcony, with a snowy landscape in the background.
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A man in a suit and a woman in a white dress with a pearl necklace stand close together in dim lighting, facing each other.
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A bride in a white gown is seen through a glass door, with her reflection also visible, and a large planter with red flowers outside.
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A person in a lace dress is partially illuminated against a dark background, holding the bottom of the dress with one hand.
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