Candid Wedding Photographer Tips for Couples

Wedding season is here and capturing the perfect moments on your big day is one of the things couples stress about most. And well, sometimes, it’s for a good reason. The photo printing experts at Nations Photo Lab interviewed April Pinto. She’s a wedding photographer with 13 years of experience, and she shares top tips for getting the best shots and mistakes to avoid.

A common mistakes couples make when it comes to planning their wedding photos is not factoring in sunset time:

“Common mistakes include not factoring in sunset time, overlooking when you’re allowed to enter or exit your venue, and most importantly not making time for you on your big day. Which can all be easily avoided if planned correctly!” April says.

“As a photographer, always share the sunset time, and ask your couple to schedule the ceremony about 1.5-2 hours before that. We also remind couples to check when the venue needs to close down the bar (not just when you have to leave) and to double-check when we’re allowed to enter the venue. Communication is key, and we’re here for it!”

The most important thing for couples to consider is getting hands on with their wedding photographer from day one:

“I truly believe my success as a wedding photographer comes from being all in from day one! From the moment a bride works with me, I’m hands-on getting to know my couples, understanding their vision, making their day reflect their true selves, blending their personality and style into every moment of the celebration.”

Set expectations with family and friends about post-ceremony photos:

“Too often, families rush the couple to get to the reception right after forcing them through a full hour of family photos. We encourage short and sweet family photos so we can use the majority of the limited time after the ceremony to focus on joyful, meaningful couple shots.

Out of your whole wedding day, you only get a short time alone! That’s usually right after the ceremony when we’re taking the couple’s photos. Enjoy that moment! Don’t rush it, take a breath, savor each other and soak in the magic.”

Meeting your photographer before the wedding day is key, it’s your chance to share what’s meaningful to you and make sure your bridal party is in the loop, April says. We believe this is especially true with a candid wedding photographer; it’s essential that they know your preferences in advance:

“For me, it’s crucial to meet with my actual couple—not your mom, best man, or planner. I need to hear directly from you what’s most special to you, so I can create an organized, custom timeline for your day. I’ll also share the best spots for those magical moments—first looks, private vows, and more. It’s your day, and I’m here to make sure it flows just the way you envision!

Most importantly, we walk into the day with a schedule from the bride, and we strongly encourage the bridal party to help us stick to it. If there’s a particularly challenging bridesmaid, we find ways to give her extra tasks to keep her involved because often, that’s really all she wants! It’s about making the day smooth, joyful, and stress-free for the couple, and we’re all in this together!”

Don’t forget to ask your photographer to capture those candid moments from the bride putting on earrings to making sure the groom’s tie is on point:

“We love to gently prompt fun moments like twirls, movement, and laughter while keeping a close eye on every detail. One of our signatures is putting you in the most beautiful lighting and scenery, so we’re not afraid to encourage you to step out for sunset photos or move around your venue to find the most ideal spots. And we’re always looking ahead because in photography, it’s often the moment to come that matters just as much as the one you’re in. We’re your hype person, making sure every moment shines!”

To manage lighting challenges, during outdoor ceremonies and evening receptions, April suggests to hire a professional candid wedding photographer:

“To be a great candid wedding photographer, you have to live and breathe your gear. Weddings move fast, and there are no redos, so we’re ready to capture every moment as it happens, flawlessly! Pro tip for all our couples: hire a legit wedding photographer (like us)! Our team knows how to work magic in any lighting golden hour sunsets, off-camera or on-camera flash, you name it.”