Wedding Candids

About 90% of the photos on a typical Wedding Photographer’s blog/website are typically posed-candids of the bride & groom and photos of detail shots. And while it is important to be able to recognize a good backdrop, proper lighting and be able to pose a couple naturally, it’s something that can be learned. Also, taking photos of details… well, honestly it was the bride & groom that designed them, or a florist, designer, etc… not the photographer. Photographers love to show off details of a wedding which they had 0 influence in creating. Photographing details doesn’t show a photographers skill level. The most difficult photos to capture at a wedding are those once-in-a-lifetime candids, typically at the reception. The main ingredient for capturing moments like this is instinct. Not only does the photographer need to be 100% technically competent with their camera, have an understanding of the flow of a wedding, building a quick, positive report with guests, but also has to have an advanced knowledge of lighting, focusing, metering, framing and the gumption to get onto the dance floor and stalk predict when explosive emotional moments will happen. Right lens. Right timing. Right light. Right focus. Right composition/framing. And then have lighting quick fingers to get it on ONE shot (since most speedlights take a couple seconds to recharge). Probably should add this diatribe to my ever-expanding lecture on why great wedding photographers are worth the price they ask. When shopping around for a wedding photographer, perhaps look to see if they actually can grab those once-in-a-lifetime moments of the guests, or are they all posed-candids, formals and details?