How I Balance Posed & Candid Moments as a Wedding Photographer
If you’ve been scrolling Pinterest or reading through photographer bios, you’ve probably seen a lot of talk about candid moments. But here’s the thing: almost every couple I work with still wants a little direction. You want to look your best and feel like yourself. And I totally get that.
My approach to wedding photography blends the best of both worlds—starting with simple, comfortable posing and layering in those fun, natural in-between moments that really bring your gallery to life.
When we first start your session (especially during an engagement shoot), I’ll guide you through a few core poses that are super easy to master. These aren’t stiff or overdone—just quick go-to positions that help answer the question, “What do I do with my hands?” or “Where should we stand?” Once you’re in a comfortable starting point, I’ll tweak things like emotion, hand placement, and where you’re looking to create natural variation.
This approach is one I learned early on from Katelyn James Photography, whose educational tools have played a huge role in shaping how I pose and direct couples. She’s a big part of the photographer I am today, and I’m so grateful for the structure and confidence her core posing system helped me build into my workflow.
These foundational poses help couples feel more confident, which leads to exactly what everyone wants—those candid, relaxed, sweet-as-can-be moments that look unposed, but started with a little structure. If we’ve done an engagement session together, you’ll already know the drill by the time your wedding day rolls around, which makes portraits smooth, fun, and pressure-free.
And when it comes to the wedding day itself, that’s where my years in the industry really come into play. While every couple and celebration is totally unique, the flow of a wedding day is often rhythmically familiar. That means I know when to keep my camera up—during those tiny in-between beats that no one really notices until they see the photos later. A glance, a breath, a shared laugh as you wait to walk down the aisle—I’m ready for those.
So if you’re worried about feeling awkward or being “too posed,” just know I’ve got you. You’ll have guidance when you need it and space to be yourselves when it matters most. The result? A wedding gallery that feels true to you—with a mix of classic portraits and genuine, candid magic.