why i prefer natural wedding photography to posed wedding photography.

I strongly favour natural wedding photography over posed wedding photography. This preference stems from the ability of natural photography to capture genuine emotions and authentic moments. It allows me to preserve the raw essence of the wedding day, encapsulating everything from unscripted interactions and spontaneous laughter to the tender moments between the couple and their loved ones. In my opinion, these candid shots possess a timeless quality that evokes a deeper emotional connection and a more compelling narrative, effectively reflecting the true beauty of the day. By prioritizing natural photography, my goal is to create a genuine and heartfelt visual story that will be cherished for many years to come.

Portrait shots are a moment to reflect on what you have just done. It’s one of the biggest and best days of your life, and this is the rare occasion when you are alone (albeit with me) to be in the moment and appreciate what just happened. Weddings are full on and crazy days for the couple, and portrait shots are an opportunity for guys to just be with each other. I am not there to interfere because when you look back at the portrait shots, I want you to remember simply being in that moment together and how happy you are. What I don’t want is for you to remember me posing you for a shot because if I do that, that will be your memory of that moment. I’d much prefer your reaction to be "Look how happy we look" than "Look how perfect we look". This is not my photoshoot; I am simply capturing what I see and using composition and light to get the nicest shots possible of you both in your moment. Some people feel like they may need to be posed, but I don’t think anybody does. If you have just got married, and it's your first time alone as husband and wife, and you need me to tell you when to hug, kiss, hold hands, and stare into each other’s eyes, then something is probably wrong. I expect you to do all those things independently, and I will simply capture it.

There will be moments where you will be aware of the camera and feel a little cringe or not know what to do next, but that’s OK; all you have to do is bring your mind back to the moment you are in and forget I am there.

I find that posed wedding photos can sometimes lack the authenticity and spontaneity that truly capture the essence of the moment. While they have their place in documenting the day, I believe that candid shots often convey the emotions and energy of the event in a more genuine manner. I prefer to focus on candid photography, as it allows me to preserve the natural interactions and emotions of the couple and their loved ones. For me, these unscripted moments hold a timeless charm that posed photos sometimes struggle to convey.

To learn more about my approach, just click here.

Previous
Previous

wedding photographers vs. vicars

Next
Next

rebecca and craig city wedding - south shields town hall and wylam brewery, newcastle.