Why Candid-Style Engagement Photos Are Taking Over Social Media
During shoots, it’s common for photographers to suggest doing certain poses to evoke emotions and play with the lighting. We also get requests to recreate classic poses people have seen in framed pictures throughout their lives. Although this is a traditional part of most photography sessions, candid-style engagement photos are changing the game.
Your final gallery should look and feel authentic. If you’d rather skip poses for a candid experience, you might like 2025’s emerging engagement photography trend. Here are a few reasons why I think people love this type of experience. See if you might like it too before discussing the possibility with your fiance.
What Are Candid-Style Engagement Photos?
Candid-style engagement photos are pictures that take an organic approach to celebrating your recent proposal. Instead of being told where to place their hands, how to sit, or when to share a kiss, couples explore session settings together while pausing for pictures in whatever ways feel most natural.
Reasons Why Couples Love Them
You don’t need structured poses to get great pictures. These are a few reasons why some couples prefer taking authentic pictures after getting down on one knee.
1. Authenticity Creates Sweet Memories
People used to post photos on social media after adding filters or playing with their contrast settings. Now, you rarely see those things in your feed. Unfiltered moments have become mainstream, which I suspect also has something to do with authenticity improving your general satisfaction.
Getting engaged is a massive life milestone. If you prefer unscripted moments over poses, we can make authenticity the centerpiece of your session. I’ve worked with couples who just needed some encouragement to create spontaneous interactions that turned into treasured keepsakes.
In a traditional photoshoot, I guide my couples through poses like holding hands while walking or kissing in front of a landmark. You can still do those things in an informal session, but you and your fiance will choose what you’ll do you want based on what feels right for you.
When couples feel in the moment, I find that their chemistry really comes through. Your pictures won’t resemble anyone else’s engagement sessions because they’ll celebrate the unique connection you share with your fiance.
2. Couples Often Already Use This Aesthetic
Think about the pictures you’ve posted on social media throughout the last few years. If you’re not into social media, imagine the photos you and your partner have taken together. You might not love your engagement gallery as much if it has a posed vibe while pictures from the rest of your life are more spontaneous.
Whether you have an eye for design and an existing online aesthetic or not, you might already prefer a natural photography style. Invite your partner on a date night to browse pictures you’ve saved throughout your relationship. Talk about whether candid-style engagement photos would fit the look of your collection to get a better sense of which vibe is right for you.
3. Fewer Poses Can Reduce Your Stress
Candid-style engagement photos capture the special connection you have with your partner. Leaning into what makes your relationship feel most natural also reminds couples of their journey together. If stress is starting to creep in while you begin your wedding planning experience, bringing the focus back to your love story can feel like taking a deep breath.
It’s also common to be slightly anxious about hiring vendors, especially before an engagement session. It’s often the first time couples work with their photographer. Will your conversations flow? Will you both feel relaxed during the shoot? If you’re one of the nine in 10 couples who work with a professional photographer during their wedding journey, expressing your genuine selves during your engagement session can be less stressful than taking modeling directions.
Hanging out in a beautiful setting where you and your fiance feel relaxed often inspires free-flowing conversations. You’ll know your wedding day will be in the best hands if you’ve formed a connection with your photographer while being your most authentic selves.
Are Candid Wedding Photos Popular Too?
Candid wedding photos are becoming as popular as informal engagement sessions. Typically, photographers invite their newly married couples to pose for portraits after their ceremony ends. You’d take some pictures together before potentially posing with your families. While that opportunity can lead to stunning pictures, it might not feel right if you want a candid-style experience.
You and your partner may prefer organic wedding pictures so you get to enjoy every moment of your big day. While you’re chatting with loved ones or getting fresh air, your photographer will capture moments that have a behind-the-scenes feel.
You’ll get time to mingle, pictures of your guests laughing together, and snapshots of moments that feel like they’re flying by. Your final wedding gallery would also match your engagement session’s aesthetic, which creates cohesive visual memories.
Book Your Dream Engagement Photo Session
Candid-style engagement photos are some of the most beautiful pictures. Send me a message if you want to talk more about this popular photography style. The love you share with your fiance will shine once you feel like your authentic selves in front of the camera.
