The Bridesmaid

Why I Love This Wedding Photo

This post is part of my Why I Love this Wedding Picture series, where I describe why I, as the photographer, love a particular image or series of photographs.

Bridesmaid Looks On

For this edition of my Why I Love the Wedding Photos series, I’m sharing some photos from the Bury Court Barn Wedding of Anya & Mark that I photographed in 2017.

As a documentary wedding photographer, I prefer capturing authentic and spontaneous moments as they unfold throughout the day.

When adults look directly at the camera, it can disrupt the candid nature of the scene, making the image feel posed or artificial.

Adults tend to be more self-conscious and may alter their behaviour when they're aware of the camera, detracting from the genuine expressions and emotions I aim to capture. This self-awareness often leads to forced smiles or awkward poses that don't reflect the authentic atmosphere of the wedding.

However, with young children, it's quite a different story.

Their innocence and curiosity are utterly pleasing when they look directly at the camera. Children are generally less conscious of their appearance and less likely to play up for the camera, producing more natural and captivating images.

Their direct gaze often conveys a sense of wonder and spontaneity, adding emotional depth to the photograph.

The uninhibited way children interact with the world around them, including the camera, often leads to delightful and unexpected moments.

These genuine reactions and expressions bring a light-hearted and joyous element to my portfolio, capturing the essence of the celebration from a unique and charming perspective.

Their innocence and the fact that they are not self-conscious or inclined to play up to the camera make photographing them an enriching experience.

I Love this Wedding Photo, and I hope you do too.

Want to see another from this series?

Take a look at The Film-Like Look in Documentary Wedding Photography.