Balancing Posed & Candid Wedding Imagery

As a wedding photography & videography team based in San Diego and Orange County, one of the most common questions we get from couples is whether we prioritize posed or candid shots on their wedding day. With so much emphasis on either perfectly staged portraits or spontaneous, real moments, it’s easy to think that one must dominate the other. But here’s the truth: there is a time and place for both, and no couple should feel like they have to choose between the two styles. In fact, combining posed and candid imagery is the secret to creating a full, emotional, and authentic wedding gallery and video.

Let’s dive into what each of these styles brings to the table and how they work together to capture the essence of your day.

Candid image of bride running away from the camera in her veil and gown, her train flowing in the wind behind her in Costa Mesa, California.

The Beauty of Posed Photography

Posed photography is often thought of as traditional or formal, but it’s so much more than just “smiling at the camera.” In fact, a well-executed posed shot can be a work of art—helping you and your loved ones look your best while also framing the emotions of the moment in a way that feels intentional and timeless.

When We Use Posed Shots:

Bridal Party Portraits: Following your first look, when the emotions are high and the excitement is palpable, posed shots allow for creative composition and coordinated outfits to shine. This is often the time we take a breath, line up the group, and focus on getting that perfect, classic shot that you’ll cherish forever. We’ll also grab individual portraits of you with each of your bridesmaids/groomsmen.
Husband & Wife Portraits: A few moments alone with our couples are often the most magical. One thing you’ll notice in every wedding album is that signature portrait of the newlyweds smiling and looking at the camera. It’s the one that makes it on the wall and the one that is passed down for generations.
Family and Cocktail Hour VIP Shots: These moments might be more structured, but they provide a lasting memory of the people who mean the most to you. Whether it’s your parents, siblings, or childhood best friends, posed portraits allow you to relive the day and remember exactly who showed up for you.
Details: Whether its your ceremony set-up or the heirloom from your parents’ wedding day, details allow you to encapsulate every important decision you made for the most special day of your life. Nothing goes unnoticed, and documenting the little things helps tell the full story.

While we also grab candids during these sections of your wedding day, the posed imagery allows for careful planning and precision—capturing every detail, from the dress train to the boutonniere, in a way that truly shows off the design and craftsmanship of the day.

Private residence reception tablescape with hanging crystal lights and blush details in Rancho Sante Fe, California.

The Magic of Candid Photography

While posed shots offer structure, candid photography and videography are where the raw, unfiltered magic of your day truly shines. Candid moments are all about capturing emotions in real-time—whether that’s the tear in your mom’s eye as she sees you in your wedding dress for the first time or the spontaneous dance moves of your best friends.

When We Use Candid Shots:

The Ceremony: As much as we want the ceremony to flow seamlessly, candid imagery often capture the most heartfelt, genuine reactions. The smiles, the tears, the laughter—these moments are ones you’ll treasure, often more than any posed picture could.
The First Look: Seeing your person for the first time brings waves of excitement and joy thinking of all the little moments that brought you here. Whether your groom is twirling you around to see the full gown or blotting his watering eyes, the candids here are emotional. In fact, the imagery from our own first look is some of our favorites to look back on!
The Reception: The energy at the reception is like no other. Candid shots give us the opportunity to capture the funny moments and celebratory vibe without interrupting the flow of the party. Whether it’s a candid laugh between speeches or a spontaneous disco move on the dance floor, these photos bring personality to your wedding story.
Behind-the-Scenes: Often overlooked, the candid shots before and after the ceremony can be some of the most authentic. The quiet moments between the couple, bridal party, or even the vendors are often the ones that feel the most “you.”

Candid shots tell a story of emotion and connection, capturing moments that you didn’t even realize were happening at the time. It’s these photos that make you feel like you’re reliving the day in the most real way.

Candid photo of bride walking arm in arm with her parents as she makes her way down the ceremony aisle, the lush flowers and trickling fountain around her, at Falkner Winery in Temecula, California.

The Key Workflow: A Balance Between Posed & Candid

So, how do we balance posed and candid photo and video on your wedding day? It’s all about timing and flow.

We begin with a mixture of both styles, ensuring that we get those beautiful, posed shots during key moments (think family portraits and couple’s portraits). But we also stay alert throughout the day, ready to capture spontaneous, emotional moments as they unfold.

Before the Ceremony: We’ll get candid shots as you prepare for the big day—whether you’re sharing a quiet moment with your parents or your bridal party is doing their last-minute touch-ups. But we’ll also take time for a few posed shots to make sure everything is looking its best.
During the Ceremony: Candid moments are key here, as I focus on capturing the real emotions of the vows, the reactions of guests, and that magical kiss.
Post-Ceremony & Reception: After the formal portraits, we’ll have more opportunities to shoot candid moments, but there will still be some key moments where posed shots are perfect—like the grand entrance, cutting the cake, or your first dance.

Posed image of bride and groom smiling and holding one another at Scripps Wedding Venue in La Jolla, California.

Why You Don’t Have to Choose Between Posed and Candid Photography

At the end of the day, your wedding is about the big moments and the small ones, the planned and the spontaneous. A photographer and videographer who can seamlessly balance posed and candid imagery will give you the best of both worlds—allowing you to have timeless, artful portraits as well as a full, emotional story of your day.

As your wedding photo and video team, our goal is to ensure you don’t have to pick one or the other. Both posed and candid shots are vital to telling the full story of your wedding. They complement each other, creating a beautiful narrative of love, laughter, joy, and connection.

So, let’s capture it all: the elegance, the emotion, the spontaneity, and the beauty of your unforgettable day. Because your love story deserves to be told in its entirety—both posed and candid.