In our last article we introduced you to the three major styles of wedding photography that dominate the scene right now. These are the traditional, photojournalist and combined styles. One of these styles is right for your wedding and it's important to know the difference between these styles so you can make a choice that fits for your own personal aesthetic. You'll have to live with your wedding images for a long time.
The traditional style has been around since wedding photography began decades ago. It developed during the tough depression and World War II eras and leveraged the beautiful lighting setups of the great movies of the time. Recall those wonderful old portraits of Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Becall and Audrey Hepburn where the light was directional and created dramatic images.
The style of the day was reflected in these photos. The pose of the personalities was completely controlled so the subject would be in the exact position to engage the lighting setup. In these shots the hair and makeup were flawless and the smallest detail such as jewelry and ties were carefully chosen. These photos required a tremendous amount of time to produce but the results speak for themselves. This was the golden age of photography.
The advantage to hiring a traditional photographer is repeatability. This kind of photographer knows the look he creates and works tirelessly to make sure your photos have that look. The lighting and poses in your photos will be perfect and because this photographer uses a shot list, he/she will cover all the bases. This means you will certainly have stylized photos of all the major touch points of the wedding like the rings, the cake and the bouquet throw.
The downside to using a traditional photographer is the control they may have to insert into your wedding in order to create all the photos on his shot list. These kinds of photographers require that you work with them to create the images that he usually creates. This puts the photographer in control of your event but this may be something that works for you. It's an issue you need to consider.
You also need to consider the issue of spontaneity. The amount of time and effort that goes into traditional photographs takes the couple away from their guests where a lot of memorable action is taking place. If you want to go with set-up photographs you have to expect that being away from the main action in your event will lower the probability of receiving an emotional set of wedding photos.
The wedding photojournalist will be looking at the wedding event through a different eye. This kind of photographer learned his trade by working side by side with the competition to get the best photos. It was critical that they get their photos back to the office quickly because the publication that ran the photo first was the winner.
The "client" of the photojournalist is the photo editor of his publication. These editors are pros who know a good photo when they see one and are not shy about telling a photographer when their work was sub-par. This is a huge benefit for the wedding couple when they hire a wedding photojournalist because they know he's been tested under fire.
Wedding photojournalism requires fast reactions and anticipations. They must keep a wide angle of attention in order to capture moments as they happen. There will be many special moments throughout the day and this type of photographer is more likely to capture them.
Spontaneous photos are the benefit of hiring a wedding photojournalist. Always on the look out for fast breaking emotions and action, they will deliver you a unique and energy packed set of photos.
The downside to the wedding photojournalist is he/she doesn't work from a shot list. If requested he will take standard set-up shots but he will use the venue's features to create an interesting set of more formal photos. The upside to wedding photojournalism is the energy level of the photos. Since these photos are being captured when interesting things are happening the energy exuding from the subjects is transferred to the photos. A set of photos created by a good photojournalist will be a unique and lively recording of your wedding.
The most popular style now is wedding photojournalism. Brides are asking for it and traditional wedding photographers are claiming they can deliver it along with their prepared set up photos. Some photographers can accomplish this and some cannot. It's a difficult task to be good at both styles of photographer but it's not impossible.
Make your wedding photographer style choice based on your own personal tastes in art. Be true to your instincts and the right choice will be obvious.
The traditional style has been around since wedding photography began decades ago. It developed during the tough depression and World War II eras and leveraged the beautiful lighting setups of the great movies of the time. Recall those wonderful old portraits of Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Becall and Audrey Hepburn where the light was directional and created dramatic images.
The style of the day was reflected in these photos. The pose of the personalities was completely controlled so the subject would be in the exact position to engage the lighting setup. In these shots the hair and makeup were flawless and the smallest detail such as jewelry and ties were carefully chosen. These photos required a tremendous amount of time to produce but the results speak for themselves. This was the golden age of photography.
The advantage to hiring a traditional photographer is repeatability. This kind of photographer knows the look he creates and works tirelessly to make sure your photos have that look. The lighting and poses in your photos will be perfect and because this photographer uses a shot list, he/she will cover all the bases. This means you will certainly have stylized photos of all the major touch points of the wedding like the rings, the cake and the bouquet throw.
The downside to using a traditional photographer is the control they may have to insert into your wedding in order to create all the photos on his shot list. These kinds of photographers require that you work with them to create the images that he usually creates. This puts the photographer in control of your event but this may be something that works for you. It's an issue you need to consider.
You also need to consider the issue of spontaneity. The amount of time and effort that goes into traditional photographs takes the couple away from their guests where a lot of memorable action is taking place. If you want to go with set-up photographs you have to expect that being away from the main action in your event will lower the probability of receiving an emotional set of wedding photos.
The wedding photojournalist will be looking at the wedding event through a different eye. This kind of photographer learned his trade by working side by side with the competition to get the best photos. It was critical that they get their photos back to the office quickly because the publication that ran the photo first was the winner.
The "client" of the photojournalist is the photo editor of his publication. These editors are pros who know a good photo when they see one and are not shy about telling a photographer when their work was sub-par. This is a huge benefit for the wedding couple when they hire a wedding photojournalist because they know he's been tested under fire.
Wedding photojournalism requires fast reactions and anticipations. They must keep a wide angle of attention in order to capture moments as they happen. There will be many special moments throughout the day and this type of photographer is more likely to capture them.
Spontaneous photos are the benefit of hiring a wedding photojournalist. Always on the look out for fast breaking emotions and action, they will deliver you a unique and energy packed set of photos.
The downside to the wedding photojournalist is he/she doesn't work from a shot list. If requested he will take standard set-up shots but he will use the venue's features to create an interesting set of more formal photos. The upside to wedding photojournalism is the energy level of the photos. Since these photos are being captured when interesting things are happening the energy exuding from the subjects is transferred to the photos. A set of photos created by a good photojournalist will be a unique and lively recording of your wedding.
The most popular style now is wedding photojournalism. Brides are asking for it and traditional wedding photographers are claiming they can deliver it along with their prepared set up photos. Some photographers can accomplish this and some cannot. It's a difficult task to be good at both styles of photographer but it's not impossible.
Make your wedding photographer style choice based on your own personal tastes in art. Be true to your instincts and the right choice will be obvious.
About the Author:
Learn more about San Francisco Wedding Photography. Stop by John Santoro's site where you can find out all about wedding photojournalism and what it can do for you.
Post a Comment