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So, it is time to choose your wedding photographer... as if wedding planning weren't hard enough! Welcome to Wedding-Club.com's three part series on how to choose your wedding photographer. Don't worry - we will do our best to make this aspect of your planning as painless as possible, and hopefully even enjoyable!
What should you do first? First and foremost, go to your "to do" wedding planning checklist and cross out the section that says "find photographer". Yes, you read correctly: cross it out, delete it, make it completely disappear! Once this is completed, pencil, type, or write in, four separate tasks.
- Learn the Distinctions Between "Wedding Photojournalism" and "Traditional Photography"
- Learn About Other Wedding Photography Styles
- Interview and Choose Photographer
- Develop Your "Must Shoot" List
Now that that's taken care of, let's delve into the first item...
What In The World Are "Photography Styles"?
Good Question! Learning about photography styles or techniques is a subject that doesn't get anything close to the attention or investment it deserves. Really! Your photographer's style and technique will literally be transformed into a physical and tangible thing which will be a part of your lives for ever and ever... your wedding album. If you don't figure out what you love and what you hate today, you will definitely come to realize it on the day you receive your wedding proofs. Don't want that to happen? Please read on!
In recent years we have become more creative with our wedding planning. Modern photographers are feverishly trying to keep up with us. As a result, various photographic styles and techniques have evolved and traditional photography, which was once the only option, has become just one of many photographic styles.
Two of the most important distinctions between wedding photography styles are Traditional and Photojournalistic.
Traditional Wedding Photography
The Origins:
This photography style has existed since the dawn of wedding and event photography. In the "old days", cameras were primitive and slow, and given the size of cameras and film, portraits were the only option - not only for weddings but for all types of photography. After World War II, hand held cameras, flash, color films, interchangeable lenses, and other advancements expanded the boundaries of photography. Although wedding photography also evolved throughout the years with the addition of soft focus effects, color, lighting, etc., the idea of posing couples for perfect portraits remained the standard for most wedding photographers.
Its Philosophy:
Traditional Photography focuses more on creative and beautiful posed photographs. Bridal, couple, and family portraits fall into this category. Most traditional photos are instantly recognizable, as many poses are standard for all weddings. Many brides still incorporate traditional photography into their wedding albums, since the entire family benefits tremendously from them.
The important thing to note is that "traditional photography" is a talent, not an out-dated skill. Not every photographer is well-suited for this technique because it requires a lot of patience, observation, and artistic vision. Since traditional photography is more focused on portraiture and fantasy, it is important that all aspects of the photo are perfect. Not a hair is out of place, your wedding dress is laying perfectly, the boutonnieres aren't pinned upside down, etc. Of course, these photographers are also concerned about your "good side" and try to take the most flattering photographs.
If you are a bride that loves wedding photojournalism, do yourself a favor and choose a photographer that has done some traditional photography. Because after months of planning, hours of getting ready on the wedding day, and the hundreds (or thousands) of dollars spent on your wedding attire, a few perfect photos are always a welcome sight.
Photojournalistic Wedding Photography
The Origins
If you read newspapers or magazines, you are familiar with photojournalism, which is obviously where the term and the concept of wedding photojournalism originates. Famous photojournalists capture the emotion of what is happening, not only with the subject, but also around the subject. These special and elite photographers are sent into situations where photographers may not necessarily be allowed or wanted. They rarely make their subjects pose and many times refer to themselves as "flies on the wall" ... quiet, unintrusive, and observing everything that takes place.
The fathers of wedding photojournalism, Denis Reggie and Monte Zucker, helped develop the style and approach of what is today called wedding photojournalism, but their definitions and philosophy do not necessarily reflect the styles and philosophies of the thousands of wedding photojournalists across the country and world.
Its Philosophy
Wedding photojournalism means a lot of things to a lot of photographers, but the basic principles remain the same: to photograph events as they happen and to tell a story in a natural and beautiful way. Wedding photojournalists also tend to capture small details of the wedding that a traditional photographer may not notice. A shawl thrown on a chair while the bride is dancing, the dress hanging in the hallway while the bride is getting ready, etc.
Some wedding photojournalists may work "hands-on", talking to people and guests, posing them, making suggestions, and interacting with his subjects. Throughout the evening, the presence of the photographer is apparent and welcomed. Their photographs tend to be engaging (eyes looking at the camera) and a bit more posed.
Other wedding photojournalists take a "hands-off" approach. They rarely interact with their subjects, never pose, and take an outsider's approach to a wedding. Their photographs tend to be extremely natural and a bit less engaging (eyes typically don't face the camera since the subject rarely knows they are being photographed).
What does it all boil down to?
Well, now that you know what each style of wedding photography entails, it is up to you to make your decision. First, figure out which style appeals to you. Remember... "traditional" and "posed" are not dirty words! And most importantly, a good photographer is the perfect blend - for you! - of every style mentioned above.
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