Natural Wedding Photography - What to Expect
Wondering what to expect on your wedding day with a natural wedding photographer? Take a read below.
Wedding photography has come a long way since the days of stiff, posed portraits where the guests would be scared to move a muscle in front of the photographer. More and more couples are now opting for a natural and candid style of photography that captures the true essence of their special day and all the moments that they won’t necessarily get to see on the day. As a South Wales wedding photographer with years of experience, I’ve loved capturing these kinds of weddings and seeing this trend grow in popularity as the photo opportunities you get are second to none!
Couples want their wedding photos to be a true reflection of their day, a storytelling, documentary-style gallery full of all the unseen bits and wholesome moments with a completely natural and candid feel to them. They want to look back on their photos and remember how they felt on the day, the laughs they shared, and the intimate moments they experienced. While some group shots are necessary, couples typically want to keep them to a minimum and have more natural and candid photos that capture the essence of their day.
Many couples worry about feeling awkward in front of the camera. As a natural wedding photographer, I know a trick or two to make couples feel a tad more comfortable and relaxed. I always take the time to explain the process, show a photo example to give them an idea of what to expect, or even act out a little of what they’ll be doing so they won’t feel as silly doing it themselves! I'm also always happy to answer any questions they may have throughout the day, and I try to be there for them if they need guidance whenever they can’t find the trusty wedding coordinator who may be a little busy.
For many couples, their own wedding day is their first experience of any wedding. It can be overwhelming with many people asking a load of questions, and trying to greet guests whilst also wondering what’s happening next on the schedule. However, I try to make the process as smooth as possible by explaining the next steps and keeping things such as couple shots, group shots, and detail shots flowing with the timings of the schedule. Having a more relaxed familiar face around who knows the timings of everything (literally off by heart by the time your day comes around!) definitely helps to put couples at ease and allows them to fully enjoy their special day.
Being a natural photographer, I generally stay in the background and capture candid moments throughout the day. I'm there to capture the key moments like the ceremony, speeches, cake cut, and first dance, but I try to keep movement to a minimum to avoid disrupting the natural flow of the day. The only part that you’ll notice we are there is usually during preparations, not because we’re in your face with the camera or directing every shot but due to the nature of the room typically being quite small and with far fewer people around. That all changes when you start greeting guests and the rooms/areas get more full - you won’t even notice we’re there!