Wedding Photography Style Guide
I always ask brides-to-be what style of wedding photography they are looking for? Quite often – it seems that there is some confusion. So I thought it would be timely to put together a simple guide to the different styles available to help you choose both the style of photography you would like – and also to choose your wedding photographer (a separate but related issue which will be discussed in more detail in a future post).
Traditional
Traditional
Traditional wedding photography is characterised by a very formal approach. The images are usually highly posed and will require a good deeal of intervention from the photographer (unless the bride and groom are experienced models and know how to pose).
The photographer will work to a time line - often with specific shots being organised at a very specific time. In some cases – the photographer will seem like a Film Director on a movie set constantly organising individuals into posed groups to produce a set of traditional wedding images.
Although considered out of date by many – traditional style images will still appeal to the older generation, so older relatives of the bride & groom are likely to be happier with this type of image. The downside for many modern brides is that the resulting images can appear very stiff and rigid – and so fail to fully convey the air of happiness and fun that is part of many modern ceremonies.
Contemporary
Contemporary
Contemporary wedding photography is characterised by a far greater degree of informality and a more relaxed approach by the photographer. This can result in a greater level of spontaneity and is capable of capturing the spirit of fun aswell as some of the more formal elements – as the photographer will not be posing people to the same degree.
There is less need for the photographer to intervene – much less of the photographer as Director of the movie of your day. This style is likely to produce a unique record of your day – no two weddings will look exactly the same.
Consequently – this style has gradually gained in popularity in comparison to the more traditional approach. The photographer will seek out great backgrounds and settings which can result in a stylised set of images which may resemble to a degree the kind of images you may see in a fashion magazine.
Reportage
Reportage
Reportage or documentary style photography is characterised by an extremely hands-off approach by the photographer who will record the events of your big day as they happen in the manner of a fly-on-the-wall documentary television crew.
Much of the time – the photographer will essentially be in the background, you may not even be aware of his presence! There will be very little in the way of posing or organising of individuals and groups. For this reason – this style is increasingly popular with brides today – as it does allow a lot of freedom of movement and the bride and groom are essentially left to enjoy their big day.
This style of photography is likely to produce a very candid record of your wedding with a high proportion of unusual shots that you probably would not expect from traditional or contemporary styles. If you have been posed for all your photographs – then you essentially have already seen the images – and there will be none of the ‘wow’ factor that you may get from a reportage image of you and the groom in an unguarded kiss or embrace.
Reportage photography has a great deal to offer but inevitably – the drawback is that you simply cannot be sure what you may get in the end!
Artistic
Artistic
Artistic wedding photography, as the name implies, is led by the individualism of the ‘Artist’ or photographer. This style is therefore characterised by it’s ability to produce a unique set of images from your big day. Depending on the photographer – there may be a great deal of intervention - or there may be none.
The only way to assess if this style suits you, you will need to check out the portfolios of particular photographers to see if their style is going to appeal.
This type of photography though can produce cutting edge and stunning wedding photographs as a superb and individualised record of your big day. It may well be considered a little risky by some brides.
Conclusion
There are many things to consider when choosing a photographer to cover your wedding. The style of wedding photography that they are capable of providing is clearly one of them. I will always discuss your preferred style at the booking stage and provide as much relevant information as I can in order to help you make a decision.
I will quite often end up providing a set of images utilising a combination of techniques from all the available styles – but I will inevitably concentrate on the bride’s preferred style.
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