Kitchener & Toronto Wedding Photography

The Art of Knowing When to Step In (and When to Step Back)

A wedding photographer’s take on balancing real moments with gentle direction — and why both matter.

There are moments in life that get away — and that’s okay. Not everything needs to be documented. Some things are meant to be lived, not captured.

But at a wedding? That’s different. You’ve invited me to be there, not just to witness it, but to tell the story through images. And after 28 years of photographing weddings, I’ve learned that it’s not about capturing everything — it’s about knowing which moments matter, and how to show up for them.

Sometimes that means stepping back and letting it unfold. Sometimes it means stepping in with a calm voice, a camera in hand, and just enough guidance to let the moment shine.

The real art? Knowing the difference.

The Fly-on-the-Wall Moments

When I first started shooting weddings, I was 22 years old and coming from a background in sports and classical portrait photography. I’d always had a passion for photojournalism — documenting the world as it is, in all its messy, emotional glory. And when I stepped into weddings, I brought that same mindset: Why pose everything when real life is this good already?

There’s a rhythm to it — waiting, watching, feeling the moment build. When everything aligns — the light, the gesture, the emotion — boom. You’ve got the shot. It’s like a dance.

But candid shots only work when something is actually happening. If nobody’s doing anything, you don’t get magic — you get meh.

When Direction Makes the Moment

That’s where experience steps in.

Take a father-daughter first look, for example. It’s one of the most emotional parts of the day, but it’s also incredibly easy to miss or botch without some planning.

I remember one wedding where we were stuck in a dimly lit basement. The bride looked around and said, “This lighting is garbage.” She wasn’t wrong. But I saw potential — a sliver of window light, a clean spot near a wall.

I placed her in position, told Dad where to stand, gave her a few calming words, and then backed off.

What happened next? A beautiful, tear-filled moment that unfolded naturally — and was captured perfectly because we set the stage for it.

That’s what direction is. Not fake. Not forced. Just thoughtful setup that helps the real stuff happen in better light.

The Power of Portraits

As a classically trained portrait artist, I’ll never stop believing in traditional portraits. They tell the story of what you looked like that day. How you felt. Who was there. These photos become part of your family’s legacy — they’re the ones your future kids and grandkids will flip to in the album.

And here’s the thing: They don’t have to take forever. Line ‘em up, pose with care, click-click, bada-bing, bada-boom. Done.

Bonus tip: The portraits also create space for surprise moments. Like that one time I posed a bride near a fence and, completely out of nowhere, a cow wandered over and let out a giant moo. She turned, moo’d right back, and I caught it all. That photo is still one of everyone’s favourites.

Blending It All Together

The best wedding galleries don’t just have one style — they have a mix.

You’ll get those candid in-between moments, yes. But you’ll also get crisp portraits, editorial angles, family formals, and emotional storytelling. I’ve photographed enough weddings to know what needs direction and what just needs space.

It’s not about forcing a style — it’s about reading the room, using intuition, and understanding people.

And that only comes with experience.

What You Get With Me

Candid moments that feel honest, not staged
Portraits that show who you were — not who Pinterest told you to be
Direction when you need it, chill vibes when you don’t
Editing that stays true to the day (no filters slapped on top — unless you want to, but don’t tag me, okay?)

Final Thought

At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to tell your story in the most thoughtful, real, and creative way I can — whether that means stepping in to adjust a train or stepping back to let a moment breathe.

It’s your wedding. You do you.

And I’ll be right there, doing what I do best.

Read More: