Photos of the Week July 15: Candid Wedding Photography

Posed formals take up only a small part of the wedding day — much of the photographer's work centers on candid wedding photography — all the unposed moments of the event. Photographing these moments requires patience, preparedness, and a connection with the bridal party.

This week, we asked five photographers for advice on capturing candid wedding photography. Find inspiration from these shots by David Lack, Francis Fraioli, Sofia Campbell, Leah Moyers, and Nikki Van Dierman.

David Lack, David Lack Photo

This shot by David Lack of David Lack Photo was inspired by the family. Because Dad had already passed on, the bride got ready for the big day with her mother. Lack snapped this photo as the mother started getting emotional. He captured the shot with the Nikon Z7 II and the Nikkor Z 28-75mm f2.8.

"Try to know a bit about the family," Lack suggests. "Try to get in their shoes. Be on the lookout. Wish for luck!"

Francis Fraioli, Francis Fraioli Photography

This newly married couple kept their son with them during the entire reception and put him to sleep just behind them. Inspired by the authenticity of the moment, Francis Fraioli of Francis Fraiolo Photography captured this shot that tells a story of parenting and family. He used a Canon R6 Mark II and the 28-70mm f2.0 lens.

"The tip I'll give is to always be aware and ready to shoot, even during quiet times during the wedding day," he says.

Sofia Camplioni, Sofia Camplioni Photography

Sofia Camplioni of Sofia Camplioni Photography captured this moment shortly after the bride's makeup was complete. The bride's best friend and maid of honor had just arrived. This moment between the two of them reminded her of what they must have looked like as young girls together. She took the shot with her Nikon camera and natural light.

"What I always say is to first have your heart open and your instinct on speed. Everything else will follow," she says. In candid wedding photography "focus on the honesty of the moment, the real events and the real feelings. The wedding day is full of beautiful moments full of joy and emotion. Give time and space to the people who are the protagonists of the day."

Leah Moyers, Leah Moyers Photography

The light and shape of the bride's hair and the scissors in her hand inspired Leah Moyers of Leah Moyers Photography to capture this shot of the bride getting ready at Firehouse Chicago. She wanted to photograph the moment just before putting the dress on, the photographer explains. Moyers used a Canon R5 and 24-70mm lens.

"Document all the in-between moments where couples are most like themselves and not as likely to emulate other wedding photographs or moments they've seen," Moyers advises.

Nikki Van Diermen, Nikki Van Dierman Wedding Photography

Georgie and Jamie's only request for their wedding images was for photographs of the sparkler exit. Nikki Van Diermen of Nikki Van Diermen Wedding Photography said the couple was a dream to photograph and all she had to do was stand in position and wait for the couple to kiss. She captured the shot with the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and a 35mm f1.4 lens.

"The best advice I can give to create candid moments is to make an effort in creating a proper connection with your clients," Van Diermen says. "The more comfortable they are with you, the more they can just be themselves, and the more honest the moment that you create."

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching wedding photos and portraits. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: hillary.grigonis@emeraldx.com.

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