How to Take Candid Wedding Photos

Acting natural never looked so good on you!

Candid photos are the most impactful when they are unexpected and showcase the feeling of genuine emotion. Ranging from joy to happiness to sadness can be anything at the moment really. Capturing honest feelings is no easy task ‘specially if you are naturally a shy person or groomy doesn’t particularly like the idea of a camera in his face. I do my absolute best to throw in some jokes to help you relax and I give some fun cues/things to do that help, but here are a few more tips to keep in mind when taking candid photos:

Capture your scenery

I make sure to include your chosen scenery when capturing candid moments. Nature completely inspires me. I feel so alive and love incorporating nature like elements into as many photos as possible. I don’t know about you, but I personally find nature to be so relaxing and peaceful.

Stay present pre-ceremony

Get lost in the moments with your family. Be close, hug, and embrace each other while I worry about the rest. I encourage you to get a little close, don’t worry about what I am thinking.

Have fun with your bridal party

Movement is key here and if you’re down to do some silly things I might suggest. I like to get my bridal party moving. Whether it be just with your girls or just with the guys…movement, something to do with your hands! Talk to your girls, laugh with them, put your head on each other’s shoulders, suggest fun photos to me!

Showcase your chosen city

I’m a fan of taking things outdoors, in natural lighting. Let’s interact not only with each other but with your city.

Let your emotions shine through vows

Don’t be afraid to cry (Ahem…this is directed to the boys!) Let those tears of joy flow, let the laughter take over, and please feel free to give all the loving looks to your partner. Get lost in the vows with each other. Sink deeper into each word. Encourage and help your partner if they struggle to make it through their vows.

Take a moment alone

This can really be done at any point in the day. Typically, I like taking a few moments alone before the ceremony to let it all sink in, and then later on in the night, we can sneak away (for just 15 minutes!) and just be alone together. My couples have always told me this was one (of many) of their favorite moments…just being alone together to let it all sink in. You don’t even have to talk, just let it be what it is when it is!

Make sure you are comfortable with your photographer (Me!)

Yep! Pretty much what I talk about quite often and you might remember me talking about it when we first met in person (or FaceTime?!) It’s one of the reasons I encourage when hiring a photographer. I already know you are going to feel comfortable with me, have SO much fun and it should be! If you feel comfortable with me, then you will feel even more comfortable with each other and it’s going to allow you to not only relax but feel more connected. I would further encourage an engagement session as well and here are 8 Reasons Why you Should Have an Engagement Session.

Don’t think about posing

Just don’t. Don’t even think about pausing, stopping what you are doing, or any of that. It feels stiff, awkward, and fake. The only time I encourage posing is during family portraits. I WANT you to continue doing what you are doing and if for some reason I need you to do it again (for the good lighting) I will tell you. I will ask you and be directive. I will allow moments to happen as they happen.

Let the wedding party shine

Nothing more fun than capturing dancing flower girls on the dance floor! So even though most of my attention is on my couple for the majority of the day, I pay attention to your bridal party as well. How they are with each other and/or with their significant others.

Do a first look

This moment can be very intimate, allowing honest emotions to fly which results in effortlessly candid photos. Share the anticipation and excitement for each other in a private setting. Be sure to read more about The First Look Debate: To Have a First Look or Not

Take a moment after the ceremony

One of my favorite things to do after you boogie back down the aisle (whether you dance, celebrate or throw your hands up in the air together) I like to have you kiss at the end of the aisle with all your guests in the background! After that, have a moment together somewhere private. Your love bubble is going to be the most excited at this time, full of “I JUST GOT MARRIED” vibes!!!

Don’t stress about time

Booking an extra hour of photo coverage, and having flexibility in your schedule, will leave more room for you to enjoy stress-free, candid moments with your love, friends, and family. Doing a first look will help save the most time since the majority of photos can be done prior to the ceremony.

Keep moving

Just try to keep all body parts moving. Walk, interact, dance, twirl, grope each other (yeah! I said it) the more movement the better the candid. Don’t think about posing, just be in the moment.

Encourage the use of a prop

This usually is more favored on rainier days, so the use of an umbrella make for awesome props. Or did you know they make lace umbrellas? How cool right?! Something cool to incorporate even if it’s not raining.

Mingle with your guests

I make sure to keep an eye on my couples and the dance floor when the reception starts. This is a time where my couple will often mix and mingle with their guests and emotions are running high. Capturing joy between my couple and loved ones can really add to their story and add to the feeling of the room.

Utilize moments in transit

Keep the momentum of the day going by capturing little in-between moments like getting in a car and taking impromptu photos of you lost in thought, capturing the essence of all the pre-ceremony butterflies. Really make for some beautiful bridal portraits as well.

Highlight the first dance

First dances are symbolic for a couple as all things are joyous and emotional. It's always such a beautiful experience for not only my couples but with their mother and fathers. I seem to always cry during these moments. To watch your first dance together. How you talk to each other, sing to each other. The tears that roll down your face when you place your head on his chest. Then I cry when she dances with her father because it has me thinking about my future day and then I absolutely lose it when he dances with mom…has me thinking about my son!

Expect the unexpected

We can do our best to plan, plan, plan but some of the best moments are the unexpected ones. Embrace it, be in the moment and let things happen!

Just Relax!!

Give yourself permission to enjoy each person and moment of the day. Let go of the need to keep things perfect or “as planned” be willing to go with the flow and rally later. Just be present and trust that it will always work out.

Have any other ideas or tips for

future couples, be sure to comment below!!

Catchfly Photography is a traditional wedding and adventurous elopement photographer based in Highland, MI. Julie Believes in the little details and in between moments. Nature completely inspires Julie and she incorporates nature into almost every photo she takes. Julie travels to photograph traditional weddings and intimate elopements in Michigan’s Upper + Lower Peninsula and Colorado.