The Magic of Candid Moments: Your Guide to Candid Pre-Wedding Shoots

Gone are the days when traditional staged photo poses and studio-style forced smiles worked for couples. Couples are looking for authentic captures of their love story, the raw and real emotions behind it. 

Candid pre-wedding shoots allow couples to do just that. Among the various styles that are in the world of wedding photography, candid photography emerges as a timeless approach, celebrating genuine emotions, natural gestures, and unfiltered connections.

Embracing the Charm of Candid Pre-Wedding Shoots

The real charm that lies in candid photography is the capturing of natural moments that reflect the true essence of a couple’s relationship. This can be done in a setting that is different and away from the chaos of the wedding day. 

Couples can set aside a day or a few days that can be used for these shoots. Unlike posed photographs, candid shots capture genuine emotions, laughter, and interactions, creating a beautiful narrative that tells the couple’s love story. 

In weddings, there is larger-than-life grandeur. Candid pre-wedding shoots can be anything that couples want. Simple and raw or fun-themed ones, candid photography is all about what feels real. The magic is in the authenticity of the captured moments, allowing the couple to relive the emotions of their pre-wedding days for years to come.

These shoots also allow couples to have intimate moments captured without any distractions or uncomfortable glances like wedding photography may have. 

Picking a favourite location like a beach or even a mountain landscape can help in creating that perfect environment. For more details and tips, check out this 101 guide on candid wedding photography!

Picking Authentic Backdrops and Lighting for Candid Pre-Wedding Shoots

One of the key elements of a pre-wedding or wedding photography shoot is to pick a good background. This sets up the stage for a good and attractive shoot. 

While picking a backdrop, special focus should be given to the overall mood and atmosphere that needs to be created for the shoot. Natural backdrops, like landscapes, city skylines or a rustic town can instantly add character to the images captured. 

Personalization can also be explored in picking up the backdrop. The first café where the couple met or the location that they went to for their first outdoor trip will have a nostalgic element and can provide a beautiful canvas for the shoot. Pick a location that complements the couple’s personalities. 

For lighting, various types and styles can be picked. Natural light will always reign supreme among all. It enhances the authenticity of the images, providing a soft and flattering glow. The golden hour, the hours during sunset or sunrise are known to be the best to infuse that ethereal glow into the photos. 

Look for warm and soft natural light instead of harsh sunlight, that will unnecessarily highlight shadows and other unattractive elements. 

Monsoons or rainy days can also create a very flattering diffused light for silhouette shots. Along with that, the soft warm light can give a very real and raw look to the images. While shooting indoors, pick locations with ample natural light or very good quality lights to maintain that authentic feel.  

Tips On Capturing Authentic Emotions And Connections At Candid Pre-Wedding Shoots

• Establish A Relation With The Couple

Building a genuine rapport with the couple will go a long way in bringing forth authentic emotions on the shoot day. The couple needs to be comfortable in front of the camera, which is why having a good rapport helps. 

It will give way for candid moments to unfold effortlessly if the couple is comfortable with the photography team. 

• Let Natural Emotions Flow

Instead of over-directing the shoot, the couple should be allowed to breathe and live in that moment. 

Genuine laughter, stolen glances, and unfiltered smiles will make for the most beautiful captures. After all, candid wedding photography is all about that! 

• Blend In

The photography team needs to be unobstructed and blend into the background. This will push couples to get involved with each other instead of the photography team. 

Using this method will allow for genuine interactions and connections to show on camera.  

• Say Yes To Authenticity

The beauty of a candid pre-wedding shoot is celebrating the imperfections. Picture-perfect moments are the ones where the bride is laughing as the groom tickles her or an impromptu jump in the air. 

These moments hold the most genuine emotions and fun for couples. 

• Couple Interactions

Talking to the couple is important before and during the shoot. Understanding the love story or the importance of a certain location can evoke nostalgic feelings and make for the most stunning captures. 

• Patience Is Key

It’s not always easy for couples to emote, especially if they are doing a shoot for the first time. Patience is key while doing a candid pre-wedding shoot. Rushing through can be counterintuitive to genuine emotions from showing up. 

Couples who have an arranged marriage may take a few moments to warm up in front of the camera. Check out these tips on how to get playful in front of the camera!

• Edit With Care

The buck doesn’t stop at the shoot. Everyone knows that post-production of wedding photography is the real key to those stunning images. Maintain the authenticity of the captured moments. 

Avoid heavy editing that might diminish the raw and real feel of the moment that was captured. 

In the world of candid pre-wedding shoots, it’s not just about posed smiles or beautiful backdrops, it’s about the journey towards the wedding. 

Capturing the moments that will define this big adventure. With the right blend of natural settings, lighting, and a keen eye for authentic moments, a candid pre-wedding shoot can have great results.  

Candid pre-wedding shoots provide couples a chance to narrate their love story authentically. At Vivek Krishnan Photography, we feel that this is one time when the couple can be carefree and fun and they should take advantage of this. We ensure that the couple is at absolute ease in emoting their genuine emotions for each other. 

A pre-wedding shoot with us doesn’t just start on the day for us. We help you pick locations and even give you tips on how to interact to get the best candid shots. 

The beauty of these shoots lies beyond just images. It lies in the love story that is narrated through these raw and candid images. Unfiltered happy emotions that will make the couple smile even 25 years down the line. 

Let the moments flow, embrace the candid approach and the couple’s love will shine through in every frame!