Wedding Photography Styles

   The most important thing for a Bride & Groom to do before they even consider booking a photographer is to determine their own style.

   A good way to do this is to spend time looking at different photographers´ websites and wedding magazines. This way, you can put together a collection of the images you like, and then separate them into your favourites. Two classifications will help you determine which style you lean more towards:

1. Traditional Photography - those images that look like they are set-up, posed or arraigned
2. Photojournalism - those images that look like they are captured during the natural course of the event (uninterrupted and unobtrusive)

As a couple, you may like a mix of both styles, but choosing a preference will greatly affect your overall wedding day imagery.

   On the opposite side of the spectrum is Wedding Photojournalism - modern day photography that creatively documents your day as it unfolds. Originally stemming form newspaper photography (telling a story with photos), wedding photojournalism today has come to be known as the choice of discerning Brides and Grooms. It tells a unique story of your own which focuses on the raw emotion and energy of your day.

   With wedding photojournalism your wedding day is captured in its most natural, purest form. The photographer steps back to carefully capture moments of your wedding-day unobtrusively (with no involvement, direction or manipulation from what is happening at that particular moment). The results? Images that are raw, full of emotion and realistic.

   This type of photography yields for more images being shot simply because the flow of events happening. Always looking to capture emotion, the wedding photojournalist´s job is much more challenging because they always have to be aware of what is going on. Usually shooting for a longer period of time, they are always on the look out for split-second moments, which they have to quickly capture in a sophisticated composition for it to be attractive. A trained, experienced photojournalist will know what to photograph and how to photograph it well to really capture the essence of the event and be able to tell the complete story in pictures so others viewing those photos will be able to relive the event.

   Years ago when a "traditional" photographer would take non-set-up photos during the reception he would call these "candid" shots - they aren´t really posed or formal, but are usually casual pictures with some type of photographers influence (look here and say cheese). These are considered more photo-realistic rather than photojournalistic. The "look here and say cheese" or even the slightest direction from the photographer form a moment captured is not considered photojournalism. Although some people really like "Candid" shots, the photographer continually being an interruption of what is going on dictates these types of photos and they really don´t tell the truth in your story. The most important thing to the photojournalist is to leave with your story captured - unobtrusive and undirected and as close to the truth as possible.

   After doing your research you may find a lot of photographers will shoot a mix of both styles to try and please their clients. This is true, but it is never a 50/50 ratio and will always lean towards their specific style. So spending some time getting to know your own style will help you decide which photographer you choose. Remember to ask your photographer´s ratios of shooting styles to help you understand exactly what they shoot. One style is not better over the other; both traditional photography and wedding photojournalism have their own creative strengths, ability and impact. But it does matter what you like. It´s a matter of personal choice and preference. My advice is to try and match your preferences with your photographers.

   At the end of your consultation with your photographer, a good question to ask is "What they are working towards on your day". I find that Traditional photographers and photojournalists have two very different answers and mindsets. A Traditional photographer will most likely tell you that he or she is working to create the best images possible for your wedding day; and the wedding photojournalist will most likely tell you he or she is working to capture your unscripted moments from the wedding day, telling a story off what really happened. Quite simply, those are the differences.

   Good luck with your photography search and have fun with it!