A Fresh Take on Wedding Photography That Everyone Loved

Using candid moments and artistic flair to create memorable wedding photos.

Photo by the author.

When we think about how we can contribute to a wedding, we often focus on traditional gifts or financial offerings. But what if there was a way to create something truly special for the newlyweds while having a great time ourselves?

In this article, I’ll share my experience with an unconventional approach to wedding photography that delighted not only the couple but also all the guests.

Whether you're an amateur with a smartphone or a seasoned photographer, this method allows you to capture unique, spontaneous moments that stand out from the sea of traditional, posed wedding photos.

This is How it Works...

When we think of wedding photography, the first image that usually comes to mind is of the bride and groom surrounded by family and friends, all posed stiffly with forced smiles. While these photos are precious memories for many, they often seem ordinary, overdone, and maybe even a bit boring. After all, how frequently do people look at those pictures later on?

Though such photos can capture the elegance of guests’ suits and dresses, they have a major flaw: a lack of spontaneity and relaxation. This is where you come in with your different, fresh approach.

It’s an approach to wedding photography that combines elements of street and artistic photography with traditional wedding photography.

It’s an approach to wedding photography that combines elements of street and artistic photography with traditional wedding photography.

When people remove their masks and false smiles, what remains, and who are they? Here, the groom is captured in a very expressive pose during a conversation with a wedding guest. Photo by the author.

Last weekend, I was invited as a guest to a wedding ceremony, and I was asked to bring my camera. Being naturally curious and a hobbyist photographer, I couldn’t resist the idea.

Knowing that I wouldn’t be the main photographer was a big advantage because it meant I didn’t have to worry about taking standard, posed photos. Instead, I decided to have fun and approach wedding photography in the same way I would approach street photography. I truly enjoyed it from the bottom of my heart, and others enjoyed the results — the photos.

Yesterday, a groomsman called me to express his appreciation for the photos I took at the wedding. He couldn’t find enough words to praise my work. He mentioned that he sent the photos to the guests, and they were full of compliments as well. He also revealed his plans to print and hang some of these pictures on the wall. Probably not all of them, though he sounded like he was serious.

This was the second wedding ceremony I photographed using this approach, which relies on the following principles:

Focus on Genuine Moments

Focusing on genuine moments is often seen as the essence of photography when people are involved. Here, we aim to go beyond posed masks and focus on capturing something deeper — interesting moments, expressive interactions, and subtle details. This means we don’t ask people to pose; instead, we move around quietly, trying to catch people when they’re unaware of the camera.

The bride’s father (with a cigarette) in a casual interaction with his acquaintance. Photo by the author.

Keep a Low Profile

To capture people off-guard, they need to be unaware of our presence. This requires being inconspicuous and keeping a low profile. It involves using a small, discreet camera and sometimes shooting from below the eye level, which helps avoid drawing attention. This approach allows us to get close, offer a unique perspective compared to the usual eye-level shots, and produce dynamic photos.

Shooting from below eye level allowed me to take photos unnoticed. Here, the best man and a guest are waiting for the newlyweds, unaware that they are being photographed. Photo by the author.

Incorporate a Touch of Artistry

Finally, a touch of artistry is always welcome. To achieve this, I’ve committed myself to the following principles:

Shoot in Black and White: Besides naturally preferring this approach, I was further encouraged by the fact that my mentor also favors it. He believes that at weddings, the abundance of colors — often from the diverse dresses worn by guests — can distract viewers from the intended focal points in the photos.

However, he acknowledges that while he prefers black-and-white wedding photography, he also provides couples with color versions of the photos, recognizing that black and white isn’t to everyone’s taste.

Many interesting facial expressions are highlighted in this black-and-white photo. Photo by the author.

“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” — Ted Grant

That said, I don’t always shoot in black and white, as some photos work just as well, if not better, in color.

This spontaneous moment was captured with the Sigma 56mm F1.4 lens. Photo by the author.

Open your imagination, push boundaries, and photograph anything that catches your eye: In photography, our taste and skill inevitably influence the final result. In other words, while it’s important to fulfill the couple’s wishes regarding the photos they want, I believe that creativity shouldn’t be neglected, regardless of whether it appeals to everyone.

By capturing unexpected details that might otherwise go unnoticed, we can add an artistic dimension to wedding photography.

For this shot, I wish I had a zoom lens. In its absence, I used a 56mm lens and later cropped the image, highlighting the smoker’s trail of smoke, as well as his moment of enjoyment and relaxation. Photo by the author.

Sometimes, when I let my imagination run wild, I completely step away from faces and photograph anything that catches my eye.

Who knows who he was and where he was going? Adding a touch of mystery can keep us observing the image longer than those where everything is clear at first glance. Photo by the author.

Equipment I Worked With

For one wedding, I relied solely on the compact Fujifilm X-E4 with a 27mm F2.8 prime lens. For another occasion, in addition to the X-E4, I also used the Fujifilm X-H2 with a Sigma 56mm F1.4 lens, which has the appearance of a standard photo camera. Both cameras have an APS-C sensor, meaning that the 27mm and 56mm lenses correspond to 40mm and 85mm respectively on a full-frame camera.

The main reason I used the X-E4 was its compact size, while the X-H2 was chosen for its superior portrait capabilities, bright F1.4 aperture, and image stabilization — both of which are desirable in low-light environments.

Looking back, I can say that the X-E4 was much more fun to use, considering its inconspicuous nature and the focal length I’m accustomed to. This is my primary camera for street photography for the same reasons: its small body and single focal length.

Koristenje samo jedne fokalne duljine od 27mm omogucava mi da unaprijed mogu predvidjeti sto ce se nalaziti u frameu, i kada dodje trenutak, mogu brzo reagirati. Photo done by the author

Although having a zoom lens would sometimes be desirable, as in the case of the aforementioned picture of a smoker, I generally see more cons than pros with zoom lenses. Their physical bulk and prominence make them conspicuous, the wide range of focal lengths can slow down reaction time, and they typically have less bright apertures compared to prime lenses.

Yet, There's One Consideration...

While this approach to wedding photography is certainly more creative and artistic compared to traditional methods, it might not be suitable if you're the primary photographer.

The reason is that certain shots are expected—posed photos of the couple and their families, for example—which means, as the main photographer, you need to capture all the key moments of the ceremony. In such situations, it can be challenging to stray from the conventional style of wedding photography.

Even though standard, posed shots might feel a bit dull, they are often necessary. Photo by the author.

However, if you're attending the wedding as a guest with no specific expectations or have agreed with the couple to take a more unconventional approach, you can truly surprise them with this unique style—using even the simplest gear, like a smartphone.

Let’s make weddings more fun and memorable for everyone!