This article is designed to give you an overview of different wedding photography styles, and other thoughts on wedding photography today. Including brief definitions of each style, what is popular, and a few questions to help you choose the type of photography and photographer that is right for you. This article is not however, a comprehensive guide to choosing a wedding photographer. Some technical details are however, briefly mentioned. There will be a multitude of questions you will want to discuss with your potential photographers that is not covered in this article.
Styles of Wedding Photography
We all know that the wedding day will not last forever, and most valued memories will be forgotten. In fact, the only thing that is left to remind you of this special day is your photos. Your wedding photographer must be a person that you are comfortable with and whose presence you enjoy. You will not only be investing money and time into him/her, you will be investing all your future memories as well. During your wedding day you and your family will be interacting with this person all day. Therefore, you should not decide on a photographer based only on price, but on their style and personality as well.
There are four different approaches that photographer’s use: Traditional, Photojournalistic, Illustrative and Creative.
Traditional photography is any formal or informal portraits of the bridal party, family, and friends in close-up and full length, as well as candid photographs of key events at the wedding. Most brides choose this mixed version of photography for their wedding day.
Photojournalistic means no posed photographs – all pictures would be taken without any instruction from or awareness of the photographer.
Illustrative photography looks like the photos that you see on billboards, and magazines. This is set up like a commercial photography shoot; the photographer arranges every detail of the image.
Creative or Artistic photographer takes pictures from unique angles, lighting, etc. This type of photographer creates his or her artistic impression of your wedding day.
When meeting with photographers, view not only a portfolio of a mixture of weddings, also ask to view an album of a full wedding. Make certain the photos were from current weddings and that he/she was the photographer. (Larger companies and even some smaller ones may have multiple photographers that shoot for them, or even sales representatives that meet with you.)
While looking at the photographs ask yourself these questions about style:
Are the posed photographs well lit and pleasantly arranged?
Do the candid photos show emotion and free of blur?
Do the illustrative photos have a focus point or convey a meaning of romance?
Are these the type of photos that I would want taken at my wedding?
If any of the photos do not please you, ask the photographer why the picture is this way or that. It may come to the point their view is not the same as yours. It is best to choose a photographer that will incorporate your views and not just shoot however they want, regardless of what you have in mind.
While looking at the photographs ask yourself these technical questions:
Is the light good; not to bright or to dark?
Is the lighting flattering to the mood it conveys?
Is the posing flattering?
Ask the photographer this: Was there a flash used?
(Most all professional photographers use flashes, due to low lighting in churches, or unflattering shadows in an outdoor wedding.)
Again, if any of the photos do not please you, ask the photographer why the picture is this way or that. If you are viewing their portfolio most photos should be pleasing, free of distraction, and convey emotion.
Interviewing a photographer should almost always be done in person. If you will be traveling to another state for your wedding or a photographer is flying in to you, you should view an online gallery that consists of their resent wedding work and a full wedding, as well as talk to them over the phone. Most brides interview at least three different photographers before deciding on one they enjoy, and like the style of. Expect to invest 10% or more of your wedding budget on a professional photographer
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