Candid Wedding Photography
Candid Wedding Photographer: Capturing Unscripted Magic of Your Day
Your wedding day is a whirlwind of emotions – love laughter and of course, unforgettable dance moves. To truly capture the heart and soul of your celebration you need a candid wedding photographer. My approach to wedding photography focuses on real, unposed moments that reflect the genuine energy and emotions of the day. In this post, I’ll try to explain what defines candid wedding photography why it's so special and how I believe my style can perfectly capture the essence of your wedding.
What Is Candid Wedding Photography
candid [adjective]
truthful and straightforward; frank.
"his responses were remarkably candid"(of a photograph of a person) taken informally, especially without the subject's knowledge.
"it is better to let the photographer mingle among the guests and take candid shots"
I promise that’s the real Google result!
Candid wedding photography is all about capturing the unfiltered unscripted moments of your wedding day. Instead of staging or posing people, my goal is to blend into the background, documenting the spontaneous interactions and emotions that make your celebration one-of-a-kind.
What sets candid photography apart from other styles, like documentary or photojournalism, is its simplicity. While documentary photography often aims to tell a broader story from multiple angles, candid photography focuses on the raw authenticity of a single moment. These moments happen so quickly that there’s little time to set up or stage a shot. The photographer simply reacts, capturing the scene as it unfolds. Does that make the photos any less skilled or impactful? Absolutely not. Its the very unpredictability and realness of these moments that give candid photography its unique power.
For example, during a wedding ceremony, the couple is stationary and their actions are mostly predictable. If they laugh or share an intimate glance, I’m already prepared to capture the moment. But during the drinks reception, people are moving mingling, and reacting to each other in ways that are less predictable. This unpredictability is what makes candid wedding photography so exciting. As a photographer, I’m constantly on high alert, anticipating these spontaneous moments. The more experience I gain the more I engage with guests, and the better I become at seeing these moments develop. That’s why I feel confident in my ability to capture these fleeting, beautiful instances.
Key Characteristics of Candid Wedding Photography
Unposed
The beauty of candid wedding photography lies in its authenticity. I focus on capturing the real unscripted moments leading to images that feel natural and true to life and create an immersive experience when you see them again.
Genuine Emotions
By observing and interacting with the couple, their families, and their friends, I’m able to capture raw emotions – joy laughter, and sometimes tears – that make your wedding day sp special.
Discreet Approach
I blend into the background, giving you and your guests the space to enjoy the day without constantly being aware of me and my cameras. This unobtrusive style ensures that the day flows naturally, without feeling staged or forced.
Why Choose Candid Wedding Photography
Authenticity
Candid photographs capture the real, fleeting moments of your day – the ones that truly define your celebration. These genuine photographs tell your unique love story better than any posed portrait. It also means that if you are having a more non-traditional wedding celebration, or have some funky plans for the day, I'm not lost or waiting for ‘wedding’ moments to happen.
Stress-Free Experience
Because my approach is so discreet and hands-off, you and your guests can enjoy the day without feeling the pressure of posing for the camera. This creates a relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels free to be themselves; which is exactly what I’m looking for.
Timeless Appeal
Candid photographs have a lasting quality that transcends trends. As years go by these images will continue to remind you of the joy and emotion of your wedding day. I love revisiting my past work and finding images that still make me laugh or smile – moments I know will bring you the same joy for years to come.
My Journey Into Candid Photography
Early Influences
My passion for candid wedding photography began during my exposure to documentary and street photography. I was drawn to the idea of capturing unposed moments as they naturally unfolded, preserving the emotions and stories behind each image. This led me to explore candid photography within weddings, where I found an opportunity to document love stories in their purest, most authentic form.
I still take street photographs in my free time, and I’ve also worked on several long-term documentary projects such as 1 in 6 by 2030 with the prestigious VII Agency. I've had work published in media such as BBC World, Vice, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Emprendedores, Corriere della Serra, etc.
Developing My Style
When I first started photographing weddings, I struggled with the idea of making every single image appear conventionally ‘beautiful’. I would obsess over the rule of thirds and try to make everything symmetrical, then the golden ratio or perspective and leading lines. I quickly found that this approach didn’t fulfill me creatively and I also had to discard a lot of photos that didn't fit the technical definitions of perfection. I needed to break away from traditional staged shots and focus on what truly moved me: the raw unscripted moments that naturally occur during a wedding day. I realised that candid images had power and emotional depth that posed photos could never replicate. Over time, I honed my skills and developed my own unique approach to wedding photography.
Now I try to follow John Dolan’s philosophy and make photographs that are unrepeatable, and that nobody else could have taken. This sense of personal style, be it documentary, traditional, or fine art, is the essence that separates a wedding photographer from a ‘button pusher.’ The bottom line is that looking through photo albums with friends, family, and even wedding couples, I have never heard anyone say: “This photo is tack-sharp,” but things like: “look how happy granny is,” and “I forgot you used to have that ridiculous hair!” and “look how young we were” are common reminders of the importance of this collection of photos.
My Approach To Candid Wedding Photography
Build Trust
One of the most crucial aspects of wedding photography is establishing a strong rapport with the couple. I spend time getting to know you, understanding your personalities and quirks, and building trust. This ensures that you are comfortable enough to let your true emotions and connections shine through, without the need for posing or direction.
Anticipating Moments
To capture the most authentic and meaningful moments, I pay close attention to the flow of the day, the schedule, and the dynamics between guests. By staying present and observant, I’m able to position myself to capture candid moments – whether it’s the spontaneous laughter of a friend or an emotional exchange between family members.
Embracing Imperfection
For me, the beauty of a wedding is in its imperfections. Rather than aiming for perfectly composed images, I embrace the unexpected – the quirks, the surprises, the fleeting moments that make your day unique. This approach ensures that your wedding album is filled with images that are not only beautiful but honest and true to the spirit of the day.
Final Thoughts
My journey as a candid wedding photographer has been one of growth, passion, and discovery. By focusing on capturing raw emotions, connections, and unscripted moments that define each wedding day, I’m able to provide you with a collection of images that genuinely reflect the essence of your celebration. With each wedding I photograph, I’m reminded of why I love this style of photography – it allows me to preserve moments that would otherwise be lost to time, creating a timeless visual narrative of your most important day.
