Candid - The New Approach to Wedding Photography
What Couples Think They’re Asking For vs What They’re Actually Asking For - This is exactly how to get all the candid photos you are imagining!
One of the most common things I hear from couples, and I mean constantly, is this:
“We don’t want a lot of posed photos. We want candid photos.”
And I get it. Truly. Being stopped every five minutes to smile at the camera can get old real fast.
But here’s the thing I’ve learned as a Hudson Valley Wedding Planner who’s been working with photographers since 2010. Most couples don’t actually want candid photos. What they want are photos that feel natural.
Those two things are not the same.
Why Couples Are Over Posed Photos
There’s a reason couples push back against traditional posing.
It feels awkward
It feels forced
It feels like you’re “performing” your wedding day
It can look cheesy
It can pull you out of the moment
Totally valid. Nobody wants stiff prom-style photos with weird hands and fake smiles. I don’t blame you.
The Hard Truth About “Candid” Wedding Photos
Here’s the part no one tells you. Most of the candid photos you love online are not actually candid. They are lightly guided. They are intentionally framed. They are set up with good light, good angles, and good timing. The photographer didn’t just stumble upon perfection by accident.
A photographer might say things like:
“Stand here and face me, now turn your bodies slightly toward each other”
“Just chat for a minute”
“Tell each other what you’re most excited about tonight”
“Walk slowly and talk like you normally would”
That tiny bit of direction is what prevents:
Bad lighting
Awkward angles
Half-blinks
Strange mouth movements
Photos you’ll never frame
Without that guidance, truly candid photos can get weird fast.
Why a “Candid Photo List” Doesn’t Work
I see this a lot:
“We don’t want posed photos with these 5 people. We want candid photos with them.”
Here’s the reality - Your photographer does not know who these people are. They also cannot stalk you all night waiting for organic moments with each specific person. And stopping you repeatedly to whisper, “Hey can you go chat with Susan now?” is the opposite of candid.
What does work:
Include those people in formal photo groupings
Let the photographer use relaxed prompts
Allow the moment to feel natural once everyone is together
That’s how you get photos that look candid but are actually usable, flattering, and well-lit.
What Photographers Are Actually Doing Behind the Scenes
This is a conversation I’ve had with countless photographers over the years.
Their job is to balance:
Natural emotion
Real moments
Technical reality
Time constraints
They are constantly adjusting:
Light
Positioning
Backgrounds
Angles
All while trying not to interrupt the flow of your day.
That is skill. Not over-posing.
Photojournalistic Style vs No Direction At All
I often hear couples say they want a “photojournalistic style.”
Usually what they mean is:
True-to-life colors
Not overly edited
Not super dramatic or magazine-like
Genuine moments with guests
That’s a valid style preference.
But photojournalistic does not mean zero guidance.
It means the moments feel real, even if the setup was intentional.
The Time Reality No One Talks About
Here’s the logistical piece most couples don’t realize.
You realistically have 2 to 3 hours max total for photos that could even attempt to be candid.
And that’s being generous.
You are not getting candid photos with your guests during the ceremony
You are not with guests when they arrive
You will miss at least part of cocktail hour
You aren’t going to get candid photos while eating dinner
Family photos and wedding party photos take time
So expecting fully candid interactions with dozens of people just isn’t realistic.
That’s not a failure. It’s just how wedding days work.
What Couples Are Actually Asking For
When couples say they want candid photos, what they’re usually asking for is:
Photos that feel natural
Photos that aren’t stiff
Photos that reflect real connection
Photos that don’t feel overly staged
Photos with honest emotion
And the best way to get that?
A photographer who:
Gives gentle prompts
Understands timing
Knows when to step back
Knows when to step in
And a timeline that allows breathing room.
The Bottom Line
Candid is not about zero direction.
It’s about intentional looseness.
If you want photos that feel real when you look at them years later, trust the process, trust the professional, and understand that a little guidance is what makes those moments last.
This is exactly why choosing the right photographer, and building a realistic timeline around them, matters so much.
And yes, I will happily have this conversation with you as many times as it takes.