Candid wedding photography is an art that beautifully showcases the personal, genuine and unscripted moments of a couple's most special day.

In this article, we delve into the captivating world of unposed moments that speak volumes about love, joy, and authenticity, providing lots of candid wedding photography inspiration.

Additionally, we will explore the works of talented candid wedding photographers who have mastered the art of capturing the true essence of weddings. We also provide candid wedding photography tips, ideas, and techniques to help both couples and photographers master this captivating style. Immerse yourself in the world of candid wedding photography, where real emotions, genuine connections, and unforgettable moments take centre stage.

Journalistic style wedding photography / Elina Upmane

Elina Upmane is a remarkable wedding photographer whose artistry lies in her unique combination of journalistic and candid photography. With a keen eye for capturing authentic moments, she has a talent for preserving the essence of love and joy on a couple's most special day.

Elina excels in capturing candid moments. She seizes the unguarded, heartfelt exchanges, stolen glances, and genuine smiles that often go unnoticed. Her work transcends the ordinary, creating a wedding album that is not just a record of an event but a story, filled with unscripted emotions and memories. With her combination of journalistic and candid photography, Elina Upmane is an artist who ensures that every couple's love story is told with authenticity and heart.

Natural wedding photography / Louise Golding

Wedding photographer Louise Golding has an exquisite talent for capturing the most precious moments of a couple's big day through her signature style of natural wedding photography. With an innate ability to blend seamlessly into the festivities, Louise effortlessly creates magic with her camera, crafting natural wedding shots that are both captivating and deeply personal. Her speciality lies in the realm of candid wedding photos, where she masterfully freezes genuine, heartfelt emotions in time.

What sets Louise apart is her unique ability to infuse her photographs with a touch of editorial glamour. While her work thrives on the spontaneity of the moment, she also brings an editorial finesse that elevates the images to a level of timeless elegance. She has a talent for turning ordinary moments into extraordinary memories, revealing the beauty in unscripted wedding photos. Louise Golding approaches each wedding, meticulously crafting each shot with a deep understanding of the couple's story and unique personalities. Louise is not just a wedding photographer; she is an artist who captures love stories through a lens.

Authentic wedding photography / Nayara Venancio

Nayara Venancio, a highly regarded wedding photographer, has a distinctive approach to capturing the essence of a couple's special day through authentic wedding photography. Her work showcases her remarkable talent for informal wedding photos, where she skilfully transforms unscripted moments into enduring memories. Nayara's speciality lies in candid wedding photos that unveil the genuine emotions and intricate moments that define a wedding day.

With a documentary-style approach to her work, Nayara Venancio preserves the authentic essence of each wedding she covers. Through her lens, she artfully narrates the story of love, revealing the emotions that often go unnoticed by others. Nayara's work showcases her commitment to authenticity and her passion for storytelling. She goes beyond traditional photography, creating a visual diary of the day that resonates with the couples she works with.

Unscripted wedding photography / BrancoPrata

André Teixeira, a distinguished wedding photographer from the renowned wedding photography and florist duo BrancoPrata, has an exceptional talent in unscripted wedding photography. With a dedication to capturing spontaneous wedding moments, André's work transcends traditional photography and delves deep into the realm of unscripted wedding memories. He possesses a remarkable ability to reflect every facet of a wedding, ensuring that every moment, whether grand or subtle, is preserved in its true essence.

André's passion lies in the art of capturing genuine emotions, heartfelt moments, and the intricate human connections that weave the tapestry of a wedding day. His lens becomes a storyteller, narrating the love, joy, and even the quiet, tender exchanges. What sets André apart is his ability to infuse his work with an unmatched level of depth and emotion. He has an innate understanding of the intricacies of human connections, and this is beautifully reflected in his photography. His work is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the art of capturing love in its purest form, one unscripted, heartfelt moment at a time. BrancoPrata's wedding photography truly transcends the ordinary, leaving behind a timeless record of love and human connections.

Genuine wedding photography / Maria Bryzhko

Maria Bryzhko, an exceptional wedding photographer, is renowned for her authentic and genuine wedding captures. With a keen eye for capturing real emotions, she goes beyond the mere role of a photographer and becomes a true storyteller of love and happiness. Maria's work is a testament to her unwavering commitment to genuineness, empathy, and the essence of each unique love story.

Maria focuses on the intricacies of human connection, emphasizing moments of the wedding. She has a remarkable ability to capture fleeting instances of intimacy, where smiles, tears, and shared glances speak volumes. Maria's photography embodies the genuine moments of love and happiness that define a wedding. Each shot is a part of a larger narrative, a testament to the depth of human emotion and connection. She goes beyond staged poses and choreographed scenes, choosing to focus on the spontaneous and heartfelt elements that truly make a wedding unique.

What sets Maria apart is her dedication to unveiling the authenticity of each couple's love story. In Maria Bryzhko's work, you'll find a celebration of love, empathy, and the happiness that binds two souls, a collection of images that speak to the genuine and profound aspects of the human experience. Her photography captures not just moments but the essence of love, making her a cherished storyteller for couples embarking on this beautiful journey together.

Unposed wedding photography / Andrea Gilberti

Andrea Gilberti is a master of unposed wedding photography. With a unique talent for creating unposed wedding images, Andrea's work stands out as a testament to the beauty of candid photography storytelling. Instead of orchestrating rigid poses, Andrea captures the genuine and spontaneous moments that define a wedding day.

His approach is an artful blend of visual storytelling and authenticity. Andrea's unposed wedding images are like chapters in a narrative, each frame revealing a different facet of the couple's love story. What distinguishes Andrea is his commitment to preserving the unfiltered moments of joy, laughter, and tenderness that unfold naturally. His work is about celebrating the unscripted beauty of love. Andrea Gilberti's unposed wedding photography is a breath of fresh air in the world of wedding photography, offering couples a timeless collection of images that tell their unique story most authentically and candidly possible.

Candid wedding photography tips

If you're a couple planning a wedding and want to have candid wedding photos, here are some tips to help you achieve authentic and memorable shots:

• Discuss your preference for candid photography with your wedding photographer well in advance. Share examples of candid shots you admire and explain your vision for your wedding album. Once you've chosen a skilled candid photographer, trust their expertise and creative vision. Let them guide you on how to achieve the best candid moments.
• On your big day, try to forget that the camera is there. Focus on each other, your emotions, and the love you share. Candid moments happen naturally when you're in the moment.
• Be authentic and genuine in your interactions. Whether you're exchanging vows, sharing a first dance, or mingling with guests, let your true personalities shine through.
• Some of the most candid moments occur during the getting ready process. Allow your photographer to document these intimate and emotional moments.
• Engage with your guests and be present in the celebration. Interacting with loved ones can lead to beautiful candid shots of heartfelt interactions. Also, encourage your guests to be themselves as well. Let them know that you prefer real moments over posed photos.
• Plan certain moments where candid photos are likely to happen. For example, candid shots can often be captured during emotional speeches or when guests are dancing and enjoying themselves. Remember that candid photography often embraces imperfections and quirks. Don't worry about minor flaws or unexpected moments; they add character to the photos.
• Some of the best candid shots happen when something unexpected occurs. Be open to the spontaneity of the day and capture unplanned moments.
• Relax on your wedding day because candid moments can't always be scheduled. Be patient and trust that your photographer will capture the essence of your day over time.

• Capture preparations: some of the most candid moments occur during the getting ready process. Allow your photographer to document these intimate and emotional moments.
• Interact with guests: engage with your guests and be present in the celebration. Interacting with loved ones can lead to beautiful candid shots of heartfelt interactions.
• Inform your guests: encourage your guests to be natural and candid as well. Let them know that you prefer real moments over posed photos.
• Create photo opportunities: plan certain moments where candid photos are likely to happen. For example, candid shots can often be captured during emotional speeches or when guests are dancing and enjoying themselves.
• Embrace imperfections: candid photography often embraces imperfections and quirks. Don't worry about minor flaws or unexpected moments; they add character to the photos.
• Group photos too: candid shots don't have to be limited to candid moments. Even in group photos, encourage your guests to be themselves, smile, and interact naturally.
• Capture unplanned moments: some of the best candid shots happen when something unexpected occurs. Be open to the spontaneity of the day.
• Be patient: candid moments can't always be scheduled. Be patient and trust that your photographer will capture the essence of your day over time.

Candid photography techniques

Candid photography is an art that involves capturing unposed, genuine moments as they unfold naturally. To excel in this style, one must master several key techniques. Start by blending into your environment and using a small, unobtrusive camera with a prime lens or mirrorless option to avoid drawing attention to yourself. Activate silent shutter mode to reduce noise and distractions, and set your camera to continuous or burst mode to increase your chances of capturing the perfect candid moment.

As a candid photographer, it's crucial to observe your surroundings and anticipate when emotions or interactions are likely to occur. Patience is key, as candid moments are often unpredictable, and you must wait for them to happen organically. Utilize available natural light to maintain an authentic atmosphere and focus on capturing genuine emotions, expressions, and interactions.

Pay attention to composition and framing to create visually compelling candid shots as it is a crucial aspect of capturing unscripted, authentic moments in a visually appealing and storytelling manner. The rule of thirds is fundamental, involving dividing your frame into a 3x3 grid and placing your subject at the intersections. Leading lines and framing utilize natural elements to guide the viewer's eye and add depth. The background should complement the subject, while symmetry, patterns, and negative space create visually interesting and harmonious compositions. Isolating the subject, varying angles and perspectives, and considering timing enhance candid shots. Additionally, be mindful of repetition, contrast, and distracting elements within the frame. The candid shot composition should highlight the story and emotion of the moment, capturing the authenticity and depth of candid photography.

These techniques, when mastered, will enable you to capture authentic and heartfelt moments that tell a genuine, unscripted story through your candid photography.

Candid wedding photo ideas

Candid wedding photos capture unscripted, genuine moments and emotions, adding a touch of authenticity to your wedding album. To achieve that, consider a documentary-style or wedding photojournalism approach that tells a chronological story of the day through candid shots. Here are some candid wedding photo ideas to consider:

• First look – capture the genuine emotions when the couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day.
• Getting ready – document candid moments of the bride and groom preparing for the day, including makeup, dressing, and quiet moments of reflection.
• Candid kisses – steal a moment to capture an unposed kiss between the newlyweds during the day.
• Stolen glances – snap photos of the couple stealing glances at each other during the ceremony or reception.
• Candid portraits – ask the couple to engage in conversations, share stories, or simply look at each other, resulting in more natural and less posed portraits.
• Emotional ceremonies – capture genuine emotions during significant moments of the ceremony, such as the exchange of vows and rings.
• Guest reactions – photograph guests' candid reactions during the ceremony and speeches, capturing their smiles, laughter, tears, and applause. Snap candid shots of family and friends embracing, laughing, or sharing heartfelt conversations.
• Kids and pets – children and pets often provide adorable candid moments. Capture them playing or interacting with the couple.
• Dancing – candid dance floor shots with guests in motion can be energetic and full of joy.
• Natural surroundings – use the wedding venue's natural surroundings, such as gardens, scenic vistas, or architectural elements, to frame candid shots.
• Sunset and golden hour – capture the couple during the golden hour for warm, glowing candid shots.
• Food and cake – snap candid shots of the couple enjoying their first meal or cutting the cake.
• Candid party finale – capture the couple's candid exit, whether it's a sparkler exit, a confetti toss, or a joyful send-off.

• Candid laughter: look for spontaneous moments of laughter, whether during toasts, during a candid joke, or simply during unscripted interactions.
• Natural surroundings: use the wedding venue's natural surroundings, such as gardens, scenic vistas, or architectural elements, to frame candid shots.
• Sunset and golden hour: capture the couple during the golden hour for warm, glowing candid shots.
• Candid portraits: ask the couple to engage in conversations, share stories, or simply look at each other, resulting in more natural and less posed portraits.
• Emotional ceremonies: capture genuine emotions during significant moments of the ceremony, such as the exchange of vows and rings.
• Food and cake: snap candid shots of the couple enjoying their first meal or cutting the cake.
• Candid exit: capture the couple's candid exit, whether it's a sparkler exit, a confetti toss, or a joyful send-off.
• Documentary style and wedding photojournalism: consider a documentary-style approach that tells a chronological story of the day through candid shots.

Author: Renāte Berga

Candid wedding photographers: Elina Upmane, Louise Golding, Nayara Venancio, BrancoPrata, Maria Bryzhko, Andrea Gilberti