“True confessions — I’ve been looking into getting a nose job” a client said sheepishly over the phone. “You know, in time for the wedding.

“I hate my nose. I hate my profile. I hate my nose in my profile . . . “

She went on for some time, pooh-poohing her proboscis.

“I never thought I’d be the type to go under the knife,” she admitted. “It’s actually really scary, but I don’t know what else to do.”

She caught herself mid-sentence, took a deep breath, then continued.

“I cannot even buh-lieve I am telling you this. The only one who really knows how I feel is my fiancée. My photos are forever and I don’t want my nose ruining them.”

Thank goodness she told me, I thought, making a mental note to give Chris the head’s-up: Easy on the profiles.

Truth be told, I’ve met her and her nose, in person and up close, and I really didn’t notice her beaker before. I knew, she was making her nose out to be a far worse villain than it truly was, but that’s how we all are. We look in the mirror and our tiny physical flaws become magnified.

This is especially true with brides. Noses, chins and upper arms—these are brides’ biggest bugaboos.

On the other hand, we are photographers. We know what a pleasing profile looks like. We know how to move and pose you in a flattering way, when it comes to portraits.

We’re also photojournalists, we know how to move ourselves around you to take advantage of the most flattering angles and light.

“Now I feel foolish, having made such a big deal over my nose,” confessed our bride.

I responded by telling her how grateful I am that she shared her concern with me. Through our conversation, we established a level of trust and intimacy that will play out in how comfortable she is on her wedding day. Because she will be relaxed, her  photos will reflect a confidence and comfort that even she, with her critical eye turned on herself, will be unable to ignore.

She laughed as she  erased “get a nose job” off her pre-wedding to-do list.

Worried about your body parts? WriteShot recommends brides . . .

Communicate openly and honestly with their shooter. Wedding photography is intimate by it’s very nature, so speak up if you’re worried about how you will look.

Be sure to do a test run with your stylist before your wedding day and hire your stylist to stay with you until you make your entrance at your reception. A great stylist can downplay or hide “flaws” while still maintaining a natural look for you. We never hear brides regret they paid for their stylist to stay this long, but we do hear brides’ regrets when they don’t.

Try various undergarments, like Spanx. The right undergarment ensures you and your dress maintain a smooth silhouette. Consider telling your bridesmaids to do the same. In fact, if your groom drank too much beer at his bachelor party and he’s got a belly, put him in a “compression T-shirt!” Chris thinks this is ridiculous (“Tell him to get off the couch and get to the gym,” is his remedy) and might cause a groom to run far and fast, but I’m all for equal opportunity!

Eat fresh foods the week of your wedding; avoid fast foods; drink tons of water; and avoid salt. You’ll feel healthier, your skin will glow and you won’t get poofy from sodium.

Continue your physical workouts during your wedding week. The endorphins do wonders for your mental and physical self.

For a great story on how Marie Claire writer Sarah Liston finally grew to love her nose, click here.