What do you think of when you think of wedding photos? The first kiss. The bridal party portraits. The detail shots. These are the photos you usually expect when waiting for your gallery. Then you start to scroll and realize that your favorite images are the ones that were entirely candid and unplanned. The ones you still feel in your soul.
Besides your vows, your photos are what last the longest. They should hold all the moments, meaning, and emotion at the heart of not just your wedding day, but your entire love story.
Ready to capture the moments that mean the most?
What Counts As A Candid Photo?
- Laughter as your partner laces up your hiking boots
- Smiles as you share shelter under a jacket in the rain
- Tears as your mom watched the dad-daughter dance
- Whispers of “I love you” during your unity ceremony
- Chuckles as your spouse holds up the bottom of your dress
And so much more!
The moments that showcase not just how you look, but who you really are and how you feel. Candid photos aren’t forced laughs, stiff smiles, or staged poses. They’re the real emotions, the authentic instances. These timeless shots turn into your favorite images.
You might not realize these moments are taking place at the time. You probably won’t expect to see them captured in your gallery, but you’ll regret it if they aren’t.
How Do You Be Intentional About Candid Moments?
Surprisingly, many people find it challenging to capture their authentic moments. The second the camera comes up, it’s easier to stiffen and pose than to remain natural. However, there are many ways to be intentional about how your wedding day unfolds, so that genuine emotions are captured effortlessly.
Plan A Personal Wedding
Don’t plan the wedding you think will make everyone else happy. Your wedding should be centered around what’s important to you and your love story. Whether that means you have a big wedding with lots of people, an intimate wedding with only close friends and family, or an elopement with just the two of you. Pick what feels most like you. Include your favorites! If cake isn’t really your thing, mix up your dessert with a candy bar or S’mores station. If you and your partner love yard games, include a variety of them outside your venue. When your dream day is designed as a reflection of your love, it’s easy to capture the candid moments.
Leave Room For Presence
This is one of the most important things you can do! When planning your timeline, it’s easy to pack the day full. But this is the easiest path to stress and anxiety on your wedding day. Instead, build in time to breathe so you’re not rushing, can enjoy the stillness, and delight in every moment. Choosing the right photographer can make a huge difference here. They don’t just show up and take photos. They are a resource, often helping guide the flow of your day, and can assist in building a realistic and relaxed timeline. Likely they might suggest a mid-wedding break where the two of you spend a few moments away from the crowd, or a private last dance to wrap up the night alone together! When you’re fully present, authentic photos are built in.
Plan The Day and Let It Go
While this is one of the hardest things to do, it’s the best way to ensure genuine moments. You spend months planning the day, picking out every detail, but once it arrives, there’s nothing more to be done. Let go of the planning and remember that even if small things go wrong, at the end of the day, you’re going to be married to the love of your life. That’s what your wedding is really about. When you allow yourself to let go, real joy is effortless to document.
Hire A Photographer Who Shares Your Heart
At the end of the day, the photos aren’t entirely up to you. Whoever you hire as your elopement or wedding photographer is the one documenting your day. Hire someone you trust, who shares your vision. Your wedding photographer should help you plan the day, encouraging the authentic moments and noticing them as your wedding unfolds. When your photographer shares your heart for genuine photos, you’re guaranteed a gallery filled with candid frames.
How do you pick the right candid wedding photographer?
There are hundreds of photographers out there. I know how hard it is to cut through the weeds of the search. At the end of the day, it’s about two things: the photos they take, and the relationship they build. As an intimate wedding and elopement photographer myself, one of the most impactful things I do is personally know my couples and what’s important to them. Your photographer should not only know your vision, but share it.
When looking for a candid wedding photographer, don’t just browse the gallery. Read their website, peruse the reviews, and most importantly, schedule a time to chat. It’s hard to tell who someone really is without talking to them. Meet for coffee or hop on a video call. Don’t settle for the first photographer you find! Look around, chat with multiple people, and make sure you find one that fits just right.
Look For A Photographer Who…
Gets To Know You
I work to get to know all of my clients personally, answering any questions they have. I help them plan their day, and I work to create a friendship before the wedding day. They’re not meeting a stranger when their day arrives. They’re meeting a friend who knows them and what they want. I remind them to be present, to enjoy, and to soak in every moment.
Observes Instead Of Directs
From the moment I arrive at the wedding venue, I’m observing. While I provide gentle guidance when needed, I mostly try to follow what feels natural. I watch for the small moments, for the fits of laughter, for the spontaneous tears. You might not even see how something could be a photo, but I do.
Blends Portraits With Natural Interaction
I’m not saying there’s no space for portraits. There is something very beautiful about capturing everyone together, facing the camera, showing off how your day looked. However, I work to make sure these too feel natural, not stiff. I encourage conversation, laughter, and authenticity. I blend portraits with interaction, so nothing feels staged.
There are so many ways to be intentional about capturing candid wedding photos. Remember, the most important thing is to be present! Plan a day and hire a photographer who encourages that. Your photos are timeless, the thing you look back on to reminisce and remember. Make sure they capture your heart, your authentic selves. If you do this, every time you look back on them, you’ll relive the moments that matter.
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