Wedding Photography Styles

Photo by luc.viatour

So you are getting married, Congratulations! You may have already spoken with a photographer for the big day, or even been confused by some of the terminology. What is ‘Reportage' or ‘Contemporary' photography? And more importantly how will it affect my day and the pictures I want to have as memories from it?

This is a small article just to outline some of the benefits and pitfalls of the different styles to help you decide which is for you. I have been a Wedding Photographer in Newcastle (North East of England, UK) for 7 years and photographed hundreds of Weddings in that time. Hopefully this will help answer some of your questions.

But first the main question, which style is best? The answer unfortunately is all of them and you should find someone who can supply the photography in all of the styles.

Photo by derekmswanson

  

Traditional wedding photography is a style of photography which is very formal in its approach. Wedding photographs are usually very formal and posed with specific groups and settings. Groups will generally include the standard Bride and Groom shots, brides family and friends, followed by shots of the grooms family and friends. This style of photography is used by many wedding photographers but is now considered by many to be a little outdated.

However, many people do look for a traditional wedding photographer as parents and grandparents look to have wedding portraits of their offspring hanging on their walls. Traditional wedding photography will always be very popular as by its name it is traditional to the wedding photography industry and many bridal couple require the formal images as a reminder of their special day. Many wedding photographers will combine different types and styles of photography encompassing both traditional and the more modern forms of wedding photography.

The traditional wedding photography service will usually include photographs at the bride's home and follows the bride, bridesmaids and family prior to the ceremony. Of course this can be provided with other styles of wedding photography and in many cases also includes a visit to the grooms home where requested. The benefits of traditional wedding photography are that you will get all the pictures you expect for your wedding album. However, the drawback is that the wedding photographer can be very official, directing the bridal party and guests and can be very time consuming.

Photo by amiefedora

Reportage wedding photography is where the photographer will follow the guests throughout the day without them being aware of their presence which can produce more natural images. Reportage wedding photography is a contemporary more relaxed style than traditional wedding photography. Rather than the more formal approach of a traditional wedding photographer with posed shots of specific groups of people, the reportage wedding photography style tries to capture the day as it unfolds without the photographer directing the proceedings. The traditional approach of posed shots can be very time consuming meaning the bride and groom spend less quality time with their guests. However, as the reportage style requires no posed shots, the time required is much reduced making it a very popular wedding photography option

If, as a bride and groom, you are looking for a reportage wedding photography service but still wish to have a few posed shots of specific groups of guests most wedding photographers will do all they can to accommodate your requirements. Discuss with your photographer to ensure they take the traditional shots you require, for example bride and groom posed shots, parents of the bride and groom and close family and friends. These types of shots are always popular with the older generation of parents and grandparents who would like to hang a portrait on their walls.

                                                                                                Photo by nuestraherenciaco

Contemporary photography is a more modern approach than traditional styles of wedding photography. It is very difficult to quantify as people can have different ideas of what 'contemporary wedding photography' actually is and therefore it can be difficult to fully express your requirements to the wedding photographer. Contemporary broadly means 'fashionable' and so the photography style needs to constantly change to keep up with the present days styles. However, as contemporary wedding photographs are expected to be very 'up to date' so they can date and become old fashioned very quickly. The art of contemporary wedding photography is for the photographer to find settings with good lighting and backdrops where the photographs of the bride and groom can be quite simply stunning. This type of photography can make everybody look good and give the feel that they are in a glossy magazine.

If, as a bride and groom, you are looking for a contemporary wedding photography service consider the areas of beauty in your local area where you may want to visit on your wedding day to achieve the modern contemnor look. Discuss with your photographer if they have photographed at your wedding ceremony location or venue and get suggestions of the best locations there to achieve your preferred results. Most wedding photographers will spend time
with you to get exactly the results you require.

Photo by Corey Ann 

Photo-Journalistic wedding photography is where the photographer will follow the guests throughout the day without them being aware of their presence which can produce more natural images. Photojournalistic wedding photography is a contemporary more relaxed style than traditional wedding photography. Rather than the more formal approach of a traditional wedding photographer with posed shots of specific groups of people, the Photojournalistic wedding photography style tries to capture the day as it unfolds without the photographer directing the proceedings. The traditional approach of posed shots can be very time consuming meaning the bride and groom spend less quality time with their guests. However, as the Photojournalistic style requires no posed shots, the time required is much reduced making it a very popular wedding photography option.

If, as a bride and groom, you are looking for a Photojournalistic wedding photography service but still wish to have a few posed shots of specific groups of guests most wedding photographers will do all they can to accommodate your requirements. Discuss with your photographer to ensure they take the traditional shots you require, for example bride and groom posed shots, parents of the bride and groom and close family and friends. These types of shots are always popular with the older generation of parents and grandparents who would like to hang a portrait on their walls.

More information and contact details can be found at www.davidbousfield.org

Article 

3 Steps to Wedding Photography Preparation

Photo by Jenny Burtt Florist

The failure to prepare, is preparation to fail. – John Wooden

While this may have been applied to basketball at the time of the quote, this principle applies to many important things in life, including wedding photography.

This preparation for the wedding day can be followed in three steps. Treat them like wedding rehearsals. Let's see how.

Photo by jurvetson

A Few Months Before 

A few months before the actual wedding, a tulsa wedding photographer should try and do a planning ‘run through' with the wedding couple, and plan out the day. You may not have all the details chosen yet, but it is a good starting point to get things narrowed down. An experienced photographer can also help you with ideas that you may not have thought of, and details to consider.

Another thing to potentially plan for is a "photo-run-through" aka, engagement photos. As a photographer, you get to know the couple even further, learn about their personalities, and get them ready for feeling comfortable when posing for pictures. Besides these advantages, you get the opportunity to discuss style with the wedding couple, and inquire more intricate details they would want to incorporate in their wedding photos.

Photo by seanmcgrath

You can also use this time (either in addition to, or in place of) to do bridal portraits. Usually featuring the bride and her dress, many times at the place of the ceremony (or at another scenic location) the bridal portraits offer the bride a chance to get some beautiful shots that she and all of her family members will want to keep, and possibly more importantly, gives the bride another excuse to be the princess if the day. Getting dolled up, hair and makeup done, and donning the dress that she plans to be married in is a great run through for the big day.


One Week Before


This is ‘making sure' rehearsal for the wedding day, in order to ensure the same situations discussed previously are still on the list. 
Most important shots like pre-ceremony and post-ceremony shots of the couple or the group shots should be planned at this time. Shot sheets that feature specific family member names can also be very helpful in organizing the day, since it is difficult to off hand remember every shot you may want, especially in the whirlwind of the day. 

Photo by fomu

Most important shots like pre-ceremony and post-ceremony shots of the couple or the group shots should be planned at this time. Shot sheets that feature specific family member names can also be very helpful in organizing the day, since it is difficult to off hand remember every shot you may want, especially in the whirlwind of the day. 


The Night Before


Sleep well! Your big day is ahead of you, and your photos are the last thing you will need to worry about. With the preparation you have gone through for the day, everyone should be on the same page, and you are free to enjoy your big day!






Written by Jake Aldrich
Epic Photography Tulsa