I’ve always said that most of what I do is strictly documentary. I’m usually that guy in the corner, just watching and waiting for things to happen on their own. But when we get to the couple’s session, I’ll be honest: things change. We step into a little bit of a "fiction" that we build together.
I’m actually not against posing. Sometimes I really enjoy it. There are some places that just scream for a clean, minimalist photo where everything looks perfect. And in those moments, I’ll guide you—nothing crazy, just easy stuff like holding hands, walking around, or just hanging out and talking. It’s simple, and it works.
The Real Stuff Happens in the Middle
But here’s the thing: the real value isn’t in the pose itself. It’s about what happens inside that little world we’ve set up. I’m always looking for those "in-between moments".
Actually, I’m hunting for these moments constantly throughout the entire wedding day—it’s a non-stop thing for me. And while I’ll admit that it’s generally "harder" to find them during a session than during the ceremony or the party, they are still there. This is why being an attentive observer is so important. It’s about staying sharp—never letting my guard down—so that when an honest, spontaneous moment suddenly pops up out of nowhere and vanishes just as fast, I’m right there to catch it. That’s why I often say we’re going to do one thing, but that’s not actually what we’re after. We’ll surely get some simple, beautiful portraits along the way, but the intention is something else entirely.
Hunting for the Unexpected
These are the bits of 100% honesty that I could never plan, even if I tried. It’s that look you give each other right after I tell you to move, or that sudden laugh that breaks the ice. Sometimes these moments happen, and sometimes they don’t—and that’s totally okay. But when they do show up, they take a "good" photo and make it something real.
I’m basically waiting for you to forget about my camera for a split second. Maybe it’s an inside joke that pops up, or some random person walking by in the street to say hi. Those little interruptions add a layer of truth that I could never direct. At the end of the day, the photos I love the most aren't the ones we planned, but the ones I was lucky enough to catch.
Look, let’s be real. Staged photos are fine for the record, but they mostly just show what we looked like. For me, it’s the messy, unscripted stuff in between that actually matters. I’m talking about the energy that breaks through the second the posing stops and everyone finally exhales. You can’t fake that, and you definitely can’t plan it. Once those moments are gone, they’re gone for good—and that’s exactly why they’re worth way more than any 'perfect' pose we could ever come up with.
How do you see it? Wouldn't you agree that these honest, unrepeatable moments are where the real story lives?
If this approach sounds like what you’re looking for, I’d love to hear from you! You can see how this "in-between" philosophy plays out in a real wedding context by checking out Something Blue, a story from the heart of Oaxaca—or if you’re ready to share your own story, reach out down below.