Planning your wedding day can be both exciting and overwhelming. As trends in photography evolve, one style that has gained immense popularity among couples is natural and candid wedding photography. Today, 68% of couples prefer candid, natural photos over traditional posed shots, reflecting a shift towards valuing genuine emotions captured, "in the moment".
If you find this blog helpful, you should check this one out, especially if you're not keen on being a photographer, it talks you through my personal hang-ups of being in front of the camera and how I use this to my advantage to help other people relax when I work with them.
Authenticity in Weddings
In the world of weddings, the demand for authenticity and a documentary-style approach has surged by 35% in the past five years. Couples no longer wish to have their special day portrayed as a staged production, but instead, as a genuine story unfolding naturally. The beauty of natural wedding photos lies in the uniqueness of each couple's day; there is no script to follow, no boxes to tick - just real, raw moments frozen in time.
The Charm of Natural Wedding Photos
Capturing candid moments is not about staging perfect poses but about embracing the unscripted beauty of your love story. Whether it's a stolen glance, a shared laugh, or a tender touch, these genuine interactions between partners are what transform ordinary photographs into timeless masterpieces.
If you asked Lottie and Ollie about this moment during their day, they'd have a story to tell you. This is the moment when Lottie discovered they were going to Venice on their honeymoon rather than Dorset.
Katy and Ben can remember how they felt during their first dance as the confetti canons went off and she'd also tell you why her Mum was playing the tambourine in the background.
Katie and Sam would tell you how proud they felt when their son Rory came out of his shell when the dancefloor ramped up and how taken all their guests were.
The Magic Behind the Lens
As a photographer specializing in candid wedding portraits, I rely on a simple yet powerful technique: prompts over poses. By engaging couples in activities or conversations, I create an environment where they can naturally showcase their connection. The beauty of this approach lies in its unpredictability; each prompt elicits a different, genuine reaction, making every photograph a unique reflection of the couple's love story.
Creating Timeless Memories
When selecting a location for your wedding portraits, I focus on spaces that not only look visually stunning but also resonate with the essence of your special day. By understanding your comfort levels and preferences, I guide you through a series of prompts, gradually capturing moments that authentically reflect your emotions and personalities.
Ensuring Your Comfort and Joy
While I aim to create show-stopping images, your comfort and enjoyment always remain my top priority. I believe in gently pushing boundaries to capture genuine moments without ever crossing into discomfort. Your trust in my expertise allows me to curate an experience that is both magical and effortless.
Whether you prefer a scenic outdoor setting or the intimate ambience of a cosy indoor space, the key to capturing stunning candid wedding portraits lies in embracing the magic of the moment. The best thing about natural wedding photos is that every couple's day looks different because there's no script, it's not about ticking boxes anymore, it's all about being present and in the moment.
With all that said, we all still want some show-stopping images that are worthy of a frame and being displayed proudly in your home, so let me tell you how I achieve these photos without them looking staged and contrived.
I can give couples the same prompt and get totally different outcomes and that's the best thing, this is where the authenticity comes in. As your photographer, I can find somewhere I know is going to look good or show off your venue, once I have that space in mind, I'll give you the prompt.
I'm good at gauging what people are comfortable with and I'll always take cues from what I ask you to do, starting small and pushing you to get the best moments for you, whilst making sure you're still enjoying yourself. I aim to get you the photos you desire, as quickly as we can, whilst leaving you excited to see the outcome.
You'll never be made to do anything you don't want to. I will always give you my professional point of view and make sure you're aware of any incredible light that could have come about, but ultimately, it will be you who calls the cards.
Do what's right for you and your guests. I always tell couples I'm there for them, and if they wanted to take photos all day, I'd be happy to do so, but from my own experience as a Bride, I know your ultimate goal is to spend time with the people you invited, have fun and party. That's what your wedding day is all about, enjoy it.
Before you go, let me share my one regret from my own wedding...
We had friends do our wedding photos (lucky, right!) and I was extremely conscious of them enjoying our day too, I didn't want it to be all about the photos for them or us. We got married back in 2014, when wedding photography was much more static, formal and posed, this was something I didn't want, so I asked for our day to be documented with as little of this as possible. Standing in lines for hours on end was not what I had in mind for our day. So we did the family photos (mainly to keep everyone else happy) and kept them to a minimum, but what I didn't think about was our portraits because I hated my photo being taken.
This is us leaving the church; I love this photo, how happy we look along with my brother's hands in the foreground, taking his own photo. It's busy, it tells a story and I do have this on my wall.
Looking back, I wish I knew what I know now and I'd have made time for them, they don't need to take hours, they can be quick and they don't need to be cringy, they can be fun-they should be.
Capture the magic of your love story with authentic, stunning candid wedding portraits that speak volumes without uttering a word. Let's create timeless memories together.
Unveil the Magic, Frame the Love, and Cherish the Moments.
Click the button below to read my tips on how I get couples to relax and be themselves in front of the camera.
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