Candid Wedding Photographer: Preserving the Unscripted Magic of Your Day

Name: Liam Smith Photography
Price range: $$$

Your wedding day is a whirlwind of emotions. Love, laughter…rad dance moves, it all happens on a wedding day. To truly capture the essence of a wedding celebration, you need a candid wedding photographer. My style of photography emphasises genuine, unposed moments that reflect the true spirit of your wedding celebration. In this article, I will discuss what defines candid wedding photography, the advantages it offers, and guidance on why I think I’d be the perfect photographer for your big day.

What is Candid Wedding Photography?

candid – adjective – truthful and straightforward; frank.

Candid wedding photography revolves around capturing the authentic, unscripted moments of your wedding day. Instead of directing or posing people, my candid wedding photography is discreet, with the intention of documenting the natural interactions and emotions that make your celebration unique.

How is candid wedding photography different to other styles of photography that capture natural moments? For me, the key difference between candid photography and other styles lies in the detail of the definition, the word: straightforward. Photojournalism relies on multiple images to form a narrative, documentary photography captures a story in a single frame, candid photography however is a very simple capture of a moment. There is less expectation of a candid photograph to carry the sophistication of other photography styles, purely because the moments happen so quickly all you do is react to the moment and take a straightforward picture. Does that mean the photographs are dull, uninteresting or lacking in skill? Absolutely not. A candid moment happens so quickly you don’t have time as a photographer to approach it in the same way you would a moment with more structure around it.

I’ll give you an example.

During the wedding ceremony, the couple are stationary, their positions are fixed and their movements largely predictable. If they laugh during the ceremony, then my image is already composed to expect something like that. During the drinks reception, people are moving, talking, eating and drinking. The potential for random events is considerably greater. With that, as the photographer you’re on high alert for completely unpredictable moments and to react accordingly. A very skilled candid wedding photographer will have the camera up to their eye the majority of the time to be able to react quicker to moments. The more experience you gain through years of shooting weddings, and the more you integrate yourself into the day by talking to guests, the better you get at seeing events begin to come to ahead in front of you, which gives you an edge. It’s why I like to think I’m really good at it.

Timing Is Everything

Main Characteristics of Candid Wedding Photography

Unposed: Candid wedding photography prioritises the genuine, unscripted moments that occur throughout your wedding day, resulting in images that feel authentic and true to life.

Genuine Emotions: By focusing on the natural interactions between you both as well as your family and friends, I’m able to capture the raw emotions and connections that make your wedding day awesome.

Discreet Approach: I work unobtrusively, allowing you and your guests to enjoy the day without constantly being aware of the camera.

Why My Candid Wedding Photography? Authenticity

Candid wedding photography captures the fleeting moments of your wedding day, preserving the genuine emotions and moments that make your celebration one-of-a-kind.

Stress-Free Experience

The discreet nature of my style ensures that you and your guests can fully enjoy the day without feeling pressured to pose for the camera, creating a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Timeless Appeal

Candid wedding photos have a classic, timeless quality that allows them to remain a cherished reminder of your special day for generations to come. There’s nothing I love more than updating y portfolio and discovering old pictures I’ve taken that still make me laugh out loud. I’m so glad I’m able to capture these moments for couples so they can see just how much fun their wedding was, and how much fun their guests had.

Discovering My Passion For Candid Wedding Photography

Early influences

My love for candid wedding photography began when I was first introduced to the world of documentary and street photography. I was captivated by the idea of capturing real-life moments as they unfolded, preserving the emotions and stories behind each image. This fascination led me to explore candid photography within the context of weddings, where I found a unique opportunity to document love stories in their most authentic form. You may not be aware, but I studied photography at Degree level, whilst the course was more theoretical than practical, it did afford me the opportunity to delve into photography and art and allow me to develop a philosophy that underpins my work. My influences have always stemmed from paintings, particularly Caravaggio, but it was discovering the work of William Klein that really opened my eyes to the idea of taking impromptu photographs with a sense of style and sophistication.

Developing my style

As I began to photograph weddings, I first struggled to break away from the idea of making everything appear stereotypically beautiful. I found the work unfulfilling, and needed to develop my own unique way of working. I found myself increasingly drawn to the unscripted moments that occurred throughout the day. I realized that these candid images held a power and emotional resonance that posed photos simply couldn’t replicate. Over time, I honed my skills and developed my unique approach to candid wedding photography, focusing on capturing genuine emotions, connections, and stories.

My Approach To Candid Wedding Photography

Building trust with the couple

One of the most important aspects of my candid wedding photography approach is building trust with the couple. I invest time in getting to know them, understanding their personalities, and establishing a rapport that helps them feel comfortable and relaxed in my company. This trust allows me to capture their true emotions and connections, without the need for posing or direction.

Observing and anticipating moments

In order to capture the most authentic and meaningful moments, I approach each wedding with a keen eye for observation and anticipation. I pay close attention to the schedule, the guests, and the emotions at play, ensuring that I am always in the right place at the right time. By staying present and engaged, I can document the laughter, tears, and heartfelt exchanges that make each wedding unique.

Embracing the imperfections

As a candid wedding photographer, I believe that the beauty of a wedding lies in its imperfections. Rather than striving for perfectly posed images, I embrace the quirks, surprises, and spontaneous moments that make each wedding one-of-a-kind. This approach allows me to create a collection of images that are not only beautiful but also honest and true to the couple’s story.

Conclusion

My journey as a candid wedding photographer has been one of passion, growth, and discovery. By focusing on capturing genuine emotions, connections, and stories, I am able to provide couples with a collection of images that truly reflect the essence of their wedding day. With each celebration, I continue to be inspired by the power of candid photography and the joy it brings to my clients.