A Candid Approach to Wedding Portraits: Capturing Love in Its Purest Form

Weddings are a celebration of love, joy, and the beginning of a lifelong journey together. Amidst the whirlwind of vows, dances, and celebrations, the couple’s portraits are one of the most cherished keepsakes from the day. While posed portraits have long been the traditional norm, a candid approach to wedding photography offers something far more genuine—capturing the real emotions, the intimate moments, and the unspoken connection between the couple.

The Power of Authenticity

Candid portraits stand out because they are unburdened by the formality of stiff poses or forced smiles. In place of these staged images are raw, honest snapshots that convey the true essence of a couple’s relationship. Whether it’s a quiet glance exchanged, a burst of laughter shared during a private moment, or a tearful hug, candid portraits provides a window into the emotional heart of the day.

Embracing Imperfection

One of the key elements of candid photography is embracing imperfection. Traditional wedding portraits often have a polished, flawless quality, with every detail meticulously arranged. Candid wedding photos, on the other hand, thrive in their rawness and authenticity. A slight blur, a spontaneous laugh, or even a moment of awkwardness can become the most cherished memories.

These imperfections tell a story. They remind the couple of how real and imperfect their love is—and how beautiful that is. After all, a wedding is not a perfect performance, but a real-life celebration of two people who have chosen to walk through life together. Candid portraits, with all their spontaneity and unpredictability, capture this truth in a way that posed photos cannot.

My approach to creating Intimate Wedding Portraits

Even within a candid approach, there are ways to create intimate portraits of the couple.

I’ll often start with having the couple go on a quiet walk together as I stay back and capture their intimacy from a distance. This allows them to ignore the camera and focus on each other.

Another approach I take is to have one or the other whisper something dirty in their partner’s ear. I always play this one by year because it depends on the couples personality. If they don’t feel comfortable with that prompt then I tell the groom to say something silly. This eases the tension and allows for natural reactions filled with laughter.

Walking towards the camera is a great prompt as well but I like to add a little twist. I’ll ask the couple to walk towards me by wrapping their arms around each other and swaying their hips back and forth. Then I’ll ask them to crouch a bit and walk like a duck. The result is an awkward walk that’s hilarious and produces big laughs.

The Emotional Impact of Candid Wedding Portraits

At the end of the day, wedding portraits are meant to be more than just beautiful photographs—they should invoke emotion and preserve memories. Candid wedding portraits do just that. The beauty of a candid photo lies in its ability to evoke a feeling every time it’s viewed—whether it’s a fleeting moment of joy or a quiet, contemplative exchange between the couple.

“These photos have the power to transport the couple back to the raw emotions of their wedding day, long after the event has passed. They remind them not just of how they looked on their wedding day, but of how they felt—excited, overwhelmed, deeply in love.”

Final Thoughts

A candid approach to wedding portraits offers an opportunity to capture the unspoken beauty of a couple’s relationship. It’s about more than just taking pictures—it’s about telling a story, preserving moments that are real and unpolished.

In the end, candid wedding portraits remind us that love is not about perfection, but about the beautiful, messy, and real moments we share with those we love. These portraits, filled with authenticity and emotion, are the ones that will stand the test of time.