How to Achieve Candid Wedding Photos
Documentary wedding photography is the latest craze overtaking my TikTok, Instagram, and all other socials. While it may be gaining popularity right now- I think it’s important to realize why people love it so much and where the hype may have come from. I’ve grown up flipping through my parent’s wedding album and looking through them you can witness the day as it happened. Sure they had their share of posed photos and their gallery didn’t consist of 800+ photos like most do today. But it makes me think back to a simpler time. When people weren’t trying to get the perfect imagery to share on Facebook for lots of likes and comments. Photographers shot on film and couldn’t perfect the same shot over and over again. Pictures were taken, without certainty of open eyes or great lighting. They took their picture and moved on with the day. They got to experience things rather than appearing to experience it.
Fast forward to today, in the age of digital and high tech photography, it’s the norm to take thousands of pictures on a wedding day. The poses are often replicated ones from Pinterest or TikTok and so are many wedding day trends. I’ll keep this intro short by saying- documentary wedding photography is the approach of documenting the day in the most realistic and authentic way possible. For me, it’s the best way to photograph a day that is filled with real emotions and unpredictable happenings.
Whether you are a bride or you are a photographer, this blog post is meant to inspire your creativity and uniqueness of the wedding day.
Share Your Vision
This is a good way to start the conversation with your photographer or with your client. Understand that sharing photo inspiration is not meant for replicating purposes, but rather for a general sense of direction. Having it known that you have a passion for candid and authentic photos will be the starting point to getting those captured.
For example, on this wedding day featured in this post, the bridesmaids and bride all gathered to tell me how much they loved candid photos. They liked the ones of them walking or talking, not everything needed to be posed. When they communicated this, it gave me the green light to start snapping away. I knew they valued that type of imagery and would want those quick snaps in the gallery.
Candid Portraits
When taking couple portraits, most of the best candid photos come between the posed and prompted ones. The moments where you are walking to a new location, fixing each other’s hair, or simply interacting with one another.
These are not always the most exciting at first glance. It takes a closer look to realize the story behind a candid moment. This image for example was taken walking from the side of the venue to the front. The groom is getting used to his first official job as a husband: carrying the train of the bridal gown. He started by wadding it up and his bride lended an extra hand to fully secure the dress.
The candid portraits below may seem posed, but most are either how the couple came together naturally or was a moment of authentic interaction I captured.
Capture Genuine Reactions
If you are reading this as a bride, the trick here is to encourage real emotions by creating a joyful atmosphere. Greet friends and family with open arms and big cheesy smiles. Write meaningful letters or give heartfelt speeches. This will evoke real reactions.
If you are a photographer, these moments happen all around us. Behind us, to the side, usually not where you first think to look. This photo was only captured because I took my camera off the bride walking down the aisle and noticed the reaction happening behind me. I quickly snapped that reaction and got back to capturing the bride and groom’s moment. I think so often we think the bride and groom are the only ones experiencing the day but there are so many other characters to pay attention to.
Limit Posed Photos
When you think of wedding photography there are several posed or prompted photos that may come to mind. Example: the bridesmaids turning to fake laugh, the groomsmen throwing the groom in the air, mom zipping up the bridal gown.
Of course there are also the posed family photos, posed individuals of the bride and groom and so on. If you can keep these portions quick and efficient then you create more time for the candid moments to occur.
A few ideas to limit the posed photos:
Make a short list of family groupings, type it up and follow it
Tell bridesmaids or groomsmen that instead of formal group shots you are going to hang out in a clean, well-lit space and have that documented instead
Consider a smaller wedding party
Use Natural Light
Natural light enhances the authenticity of your photos. When you incorporate artificial lighting, the images can become harsh or seem like they were set up to look a certain way. Using things like flash can be beautiful, but if you have natural light, it is always best.
Look for windows, open doors if needed, or go outside whenever possible!
Minimal Post Processing
When it comes to candid and natural photos, it’s best to edit in a way that maintains the true colors of the day. Things like dress colors, skin tones, and lighting should be as close to natural as possible. This is easier to do when you use natural light. (Previous tip). Artificial lighting like chandeliers, candles, mirror lights, can affect skin tones and other colors more than you might think. Sometimes turning off overhead lights can help maintain the original and correct colors.
Editing candid moments in black and white is a great way to bring attention or focus to the moment happening in the photo. I try to always provide a color version if I edit something in black and white, but my heart is happier with those candid b&w’s!!
Be patient with the moments, expect the unexpected, and always have the camera ready.
All of these images were taken in May 2023. I associate shot this wedding for Kayla: see her website here. All images in this post were captured and edited by me!
