I'm Tyler Jordan Soucy, a documentary wedding photographer based in Connecticut, who works with couples worldwide. I believe that weddings are meant to be lived, not performed. This journal is where I share some of my quick insights as a documentary photographer, and I hope that you find something useful or inspiring here.
A focus on candid wedding photos is making a strong return—and with good reason. Couples are increasingly drawn to photography that prioritizes presence over performance. Instead of stiff poses and planned-out moments, they’re asking for real, unfiltered images that reflect how the day actually felt.
The goal? To capture what’s already happening (because it's already awesome) without interrupting it.
Candid wedding photography is an observational approach that documents the natural flow of the day. It focuses on genuine moments—emotions, movement, glances, and connection—without asking anyone to pose, repeat, or perform for the camera.
As a candid wedding photographer, we focus on anticipating moments over staging them, and allowing events to unfold without interference or much influence.
There’s a clear shift happening. The couples I work with are looking for photos that reflect what they actually experienced—not what might like get the most likes or comments on Instagram (though I'd argue it's not the staged photos your friends will love). They want to remember how it felt, not just how it looked.
Without the pressure to perform for the camera, people relax. The result? Better photos. Natural body language. Real moments. Photos that reflect who you are, not who you were told to be by a stranger (me, a photographer) for the photo.
Candid style photography allows for a broader range of what’s documented—both big and small. The in-between moments, the reactions, the stuff that doesn’t make it to a shot list. All of it matters. And all of it gets remembered.
Some of the best photos at a wedding are the ones no one could have of would have expected. A quiet moment between you and your parents. Friends laughing so hard that they can't catch their breath mid-toast. A subtle glance during the reception. These don’t happen when you’re constantly stepping aside for photos—they happen when you’re fully present.
If being in front of a camera makes you feel self-conscious, you’re not alone. Candid wedding photography avoids putting you in that headspace altogether. Instead of being told where to stand or how to hold each other, you and your guests just… exist. Laugh, dance, hug, cry. It all gets documented without pulling anyone out of the moment.
I’m not just showing up for the ceremony and portraits. It’s about the full scope—getting ready, quiet in-between moments, family interactions, and the unscripted things that can’t be planned. Every part of the day is just as important as the first kiss.
Capturing candid wedding moments still requires an eye—composition, light, anticipation, timing. But it’s about letting the moment dictate the photo, not the other way around. That’s what gives these images their emotional weight. The goal isn’t to create a shot—it’s to recognize one as it happens.
Couples are becoming more-and-more drawn to the idea of documenting their wedding honestly. They don’t want to feel like they’re putting on a performance. They want to feel comfortable, connected, and free to be themselves.
They also know the difference between a fake laugh and a staged one—because it's them in the photo. They want to look back at moments that actually mean something, not ones that were manufactured to look meaningful.
[Read: Documentary Style Engagement Photos in Brooklyn]
Candid wedding photography ensures the day feels like yours—not a photo shoot. It captures the real experience, the small moments that matter, and the way it all felt. If that sounds like what you're looking for, I’d love to hear more about your plans.
