The Beauty of Candid Wedding Photographs
A wedding is definitely one of the most beautiful and tense ceremonies in everyone’s life. It is also quite an emotional rollercoaster, with so many emotions lingering on people’s faces and in the air.
People nowadays want to catch those emotions and preserve them on photos - the best way to do that is to hire a candid photographer. Candid photography is about catching genuine moments on photos. Read on to find out why candid wedding photography is still a favorite.
What is candid photography?
In order to understand why this special type of photography is a favorite, we must define it. Candid photography includes any type of genuine photography caught at the right moment. What is characteristic of this kind of photography is that there’s no posing and no fake smiles. The subjects are aware that somebody is taking their photos, but they are photographed in the way, so it doesn’t ruin the moment.
Sure, fake smiles and fake looks are the fastest way to the generic photography, but candid photography allows for those genuine and true emotions and feelings to shine through. There are a few types of candid photography, including portraiture, event, wedding, travel, street, or family photography. Candid photographers need to observe the scene and the surroundings and to use them to their advantage. Every photographer needs to follow some tips for becoming a candid photography pro.
Why is candid wedding photography so popular?
1. It captures the essence of the moment
Candid photos are innately beautiful, and that’s why many young couples decide for this kind of photography for their special day. The true talent lies in the ability to capture the precious moments when the bride, the groom, and the guests aren’t aware of the fact that somebody is taking their photos.
This type of photography is the perfect way to transfer emotions to the photos and make them everlasting. They capture unique moments, particular for the couple in question. If done properly, candid photos can be left with the effect of reliving the moments and those particular moments forever.
2. It captures fun
Many newly-weds-to-be usually decide to take some pre-wedding photos as well. This can include all or some of the pre-wedding procedures, such as shopping for the dress or the groom’s suit, booking a venue, tasting cake samples, or simply the fun moments in between these activities. They enable them to see the bigger picture as well as to be able to cherish these moments forever. It is also a perfect way to put together a story in chronological order. Pro candid photographers usually have some ideas about how to capture those moments, and they are usually able to suggest some non-generic shoots.
3. It tells a unique story
As already mentioned, these photographs can add to a unique wedding story, making every moment count. As people say, a photo is worth a thousand words. Candid photographers are able to catch all the real moments in their natural state.
When putting together in a wedding album, they do create a very special and emotionally powerful memory book, where someone who is looking at the photos can truly imagine what the atmosphere like was. It’s another reason for being so popular with weddings as the true story can’t be told from the typical photos where people are posing.
4. It adds a sparkle
Candid wedding photos simply add a sparkle to the whole idea by combining all of the moments that are included both in the pre-wedding stage, during the wedding, and post-wedding. By showing people’s reactions to the different aspects of the wedding, candid photographers are able to transfer all the feelings and emotions through their lens and on the photos. Moments such as when the groom sees his bride the first time walking down the aisle, the fireworks, the first dance, the wedding cake, are best displayed on candid photographs. These moments look too fake if staged. That’s why candid photography has no match.
5. It adds a zing
Candid photographers are also responsible for adding that special zing to the wedding photos by making them authentic and original, expressing the couple’s true nature. Many couples opt for a cool wedding destination. The photographer’s job then is to blend in the moments with the destination. The place in question has to evoke certain feelings that a candid photographer is able to transfer to the photos. If either one is missing, the zing won’t be there.
A candid craftsman photographer will capture all your wedding moments in a stylistic and elegant manner. Trustworthy companies with long traditions such as Northern Beaches Weddings & Events offer the choice of a pro candid photography team, besides the other wedding aspects such as the choice of venues and entertainment, hair and makeup, cakes, flowers, and styling and many others.
Tips for doing candid wedding photography
1. Always be prepared
Tips for doing candid wedding photography include being ready at all times. It might seem that candid photography is just about pointing the camera at people and taking random photos, but it actually requires a lot more than that. The tip number one for taking perfect candid wedding photos is to be ready at all times. Because when the moments happen, you as the photographer need to be there to shoot the moment. And you can’t do that if your camera is not at your hands and your settings aren’t adjusted the way they should be.
The camera requires to be set according to the light conditions (settings like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, etc.). You need to be very observant and to watch the guests carefully in order not to miss out on a moment.
2. Know your camera
Another useful tip is to know your equipment and camera well. This is essential as it happens many times that a photographer misses out on a moment because he is trying to change the settings, and it takes him a long time to do that. You, as a photographer, must keep everything laid out in your head.
A good photographer has to adjust the camera to the light conditions of the place and the moment. If you’re unable to switch the settings in a matter of seconds, you’re risking to miss a moment for the perfect, spontaneous picture. Then, if you choose some of the Lightroom presets collection for weddings and outdoor photoshoots, be sure that your photographs will be one of a kind.
3. Say yes to a telephoto zoom lens
The true essence of candid photography is to take photos of people without them noticing you. The same goes for weddings: the photographer’s job is to take pictures of the bride, the groom, and the guests. The best way to avoid them noticing you is to shoot pictures from a distance. And you can’t do that without using a telephoto zoom lens.
Photographers usually use lenses like a 100mm, 70-200mm, or even a 100-400mm lens for capturing candid photos. Since these photos are about capturing genuine moments in their natural way, photographers usually use a zoom lens as well. Its task is to take photos while at the same time maintaining the intimacy of the person in question. And this is the key to good wedding photos. After all, these are going to last forever.
4. Avoid using flash
Flash is certainly going to make you noticeable. And as we already mentioned, we want to be invisible and unnoticed by guests in order to capture genuine photos of joy, happiness, surprise, and kindness. Also, the light coming from the flash is of quite high intensity, making it unflattering for the guests.
However, in cases where you need more light, and you don’t want to use flash, you as the photographer can do other things to make the scene brighter. For example, you can open up the aperture, increase the ISO and slow up the shutter (to an acceptable range), among other things. Even though increasing the ISO can sometimes seem a bit too much, you can opt for some noise in the picture, which can be quite a positive touch in some moments.
5. Plan ahead
An important job a candid photographer has in front of him is to foresee and predict what will happen in order to prepare himself. If it’s not possible to predict some future moments, then it’s necessary to take calculated risks.
It would be a good idea to visit the venue before the wedding in order to get to know the location and to check what some places for taking good photos would be. On the other hand, if you’re unable to visit the location beforehand, make sure you arrive there well before time so you’d be free to explore it. A little bit of planning is definitely a good step for any kind of photography.
How to shoot candid photos
1. Be in the center of happenings
A good candid photographer is always in the center of happenings. He is also able to take spontaneous photos without ruining the moment. Go where the interesting things happen and blend in, waiting for perfect natural moments. They will notice you less in that way, and it will get you closer to them.
2. Be invisible
Good photos are sure to happen if people pretend that you’re not there. Make sure they realize this. When they see a photographer holding a camera in his hand, people can feel a bit uncomfortable, and they usually make awkward poses and wonder whether they should look here or there. And then, candid photos lose sense. Your job as a photographer is to tell them to pretend that you’re not there and that they should act normally and do what they would usually do in that situation.
3. Relax the people
You can also have wedding guests pose but to a certain situation. For example, you can tell your subjects to imagine being somewhere specific and doing something particular, that will make them show certain feelings on their faces, which you’ll be able to capture.
4. Using a prime lens is the key
Using a prime lens will make your camera compact, less noticeable, and easier to handle. And all these features will enable you to walk in the middle of important events, without people noticing you. You’ll fit right into the background and be able to snap a photo when no one is aware. And in this lies the true essence of candid photography.
Lenses such as a 50mm, 35mm, or 28mm prime with wider apertures (in the f/1.4 to f/2 range) will serve you well in these shooting scenarios. However, you can also combine the prime lens with the zoom lens and use them interchangeably. This is the reason many photographers use two cameras - one with zoom and one with a prime.
5. Be friendly
The camera often acts as a barrier between the photographer and his subjects, and it can make your subject feel too exposed. You can break the ice by using your conversational skills. What does this mean? The interaction is the key here. Make sure to ask your subjects many questions to which they will give you answers, and you’ll be free to capture the moments they experience while thinking about the answer.
They make them feel comfortable in that way, and they bring them closer to the photographer and the camera. You also keep the focus off the camera and on the conversation. Usually, when you get your subjects talking, they forget about being photographed.
Candid photography is a perfect way to capture al the genuine and emotional moments of your special occasions, such as the wedding. These photos will be an everlasting collection of the most beautiful moments and days in your life.
