Candid Church Photography: Why Is It Important?

Taking photos for your church can be meaningful and emotional; there is always the lingering question; how can I showcase my church family with authenticity? That’s where candid photography comes into play.

Candid church photography is when a photographer takes unposed photos at a church service or other event. The goal is to capture the congregation members’ emotions and use storytelling to showcase what it is like to attend your church.

Candid church photography may seem straightforward, but it is a complex process that requires a keen eye and knowledge of your subject. Keep reading as I further explain the importance of candids in a church setting and what sets them apart from staged shots.

What is Candid Photography?

Candid photography involves taking photos of unposed, unplanned moments in real time. This means that the subjects of these photos are unaware they are being photographed or have no direction from the photographer. For this reason, the photos come across as more natural and authentic.

Candid photography in the church context is usually taken at services, special events, or group meetings. Candids can be taken while shooting many different photography styles; you can shoot candid portraits, candid events, live performances, and more.

Check out my article on three types of photography for beginners for more in-depth information on different types of photography.

Taking candids requires some stealth ability, as you want your subject to be as little aware of you as possible. This can make it difficult to get the exact shots you want, as one of your goals will be to be as least intrusive as possible.

Though there are many important technical aspects of candid photography, it’s important to remember that it is still a creative outlet and art form. It’s important to consider how technical aspects such as composition or depth of field contribute to the story behind your photo.

Being a candid photographer requires somewhat of a sixth sense of symbolism. For example, during Christmas time, we light advent candles. Now, to someone who isn’t accustomed to the Christian faith, those candles may appear to be just that; candles. But we Christians know the deeper meaning behind those candles as symbols of hope, peace, joy, etc. Consider the symbols in your photos and how easy it is to infer their meaning.

Why Do Candid Photos Look Good?

The whole point of candid photos is that they capture genuine moments in real time, without direction or interference from the photographer. The point of shooting candids is to capture the subject when their guard is down and they are showing real emotion.

An interesting article published by the United States: American Psychological Association entitled What the Face Displays: Mapping 28 Emotions Conveyed by Naturalistic Expression stated that there is “evidence for the recognition of 28 distinct emotions from the face and body” and that “over 20 emotion categories are expressed similarly across many cultures”.

What does this all mean? Genuine emotion in your photos will be recognized by the viewer regardless of background or culture. Candid moments are unique and unreplicable. They also have deep meaning for the subject; being able to relive an emotional moment can have profound effects on the subject of your shots.

That is why worship photography often looks so good because you see congregation and worship team members consumed in worship and emotion.

Live performance photography is often candid, but many unique challenges come with it; check out my article, where I give 19 Tips to Capture Live Performances.

Why Is Candid Church Photography Important?

The whole point of church photography is serving God and your church community. Not only do candids display emotion that will draw others to your church and, ultimately, God, but they can also be meaningful documentation of memories for your church family.

This article has talked a lot about displaying emotion in your photos, but why is so important? When someone sees a photo displaying genuine emotion, it validates the viewer’s emotions. For example, let’s say we are looking at a picture of a congregation member really engaged in worship, on their knees in prayer. Someone newer to your church or even considering going will see that and realize that your church is a safe space where people can worship as they see fit with no fear of showing vulnerability.

On that same point, seeing a photo of congregation members praying over each other may validate that your church is a loving community of believers who support each other. So, when you hear me urge you to consider the emotion and story behind your photos, this is what I mean. How does it come across to newcomers? What about long-time members?

Though great for outreach, Candids also serve an essential purpose within your church community. It’s great to stage shots at church events and services for your church community to reflect on, as these shots serve as a memory for the event as a whole. For example, looking back at a photo of yourself and a friend posing for a shot at a church bake sale five years ago, you might think, “I had a lot of fun at that bake sale with [insert name].” Staged shots tend to encapsulate an event as a whole.

On the other hand, Candid shots tend to capture specific moments of an event, which is why they hold so much weight. Let’s continue with the bake sale analogy; looking back on a photo of your friend bidding on a pie with yourself watching over their shoulder closely, you are brought back to that specific moment and the emotions you felt then.

Neither staged, nor candid shots are better than the other, but they can be better suited for your photo depending on what story you want to tell. Be sure to consider your overarching goal when shooting and pick candid or staged accordingly.