So what is the end result? Evocative photographs that are hopefully designed and executed to expose human character, showcase strong emotions inherent in the event, and steal fleeting glances of the manic (or not) interaction between the guests. Contrary to what people might think, candid photographs don’t have to be a series of snapshots grabbed throughout the wedding day during the controlled chaos that is a hallmark of these events. No, they can be much simpler than that. In fact, the most effective candid images are single images that tell a small story within the border’s of the picture frame only. They can be quiet moments or loud, the pregnant moments just before something big happens, or the aftermath of a wedding day prank (courtesy of the best man and the groomsmen). Weddings run the gamut in terms of emotional expression and outbursts, and candid wedding photographs seek to capture those in artistic way.
Effective candid wedding photography largely depends upon the photographer’s technique, skill and creative vision. The unique talent of capturing ephemeral moments from unsuspecting subjects is the forte of the candid photographer, and the one’s that steal the best images really are worth their weight in gold (and therefore a higher price), because the images they capture won’t just be keepsakes, but genuine works of art that can be framed and displayed without guilt or modesty. In their essence, candid photographs rely on a myriad of photographic techniques, combined with a defined design of documenting the event with a photographer’s singular vision.