Choosing Your Wedding Photographer - Wedding Photography Styles Explained
Wedding-photographer-Washington-DC
You've chosen your date, booked your venue and started shopping for dresses. Now you are looking for a wedding photographer. There are plenty of styles of photography out there, and while people in the industry might know these styles really well they be confusing for couples. Remember at the same time that not only have you been picking a style of photography, but different types of wedding photography can make different demands on your time on your special day.
Wedding-photography-Washington-DC
Picking the style of photography you need at your wedding boils down to three things. What design of images you want, how long you want to spend with a photographer on the wedding day, and most importantly coming from all your own personality luxurious in front of the camera.
Engagement-photographer-Washington-DC
There are many different photography buzzwords available. Vintage, editorial, artistic or contemporary are a few. Perhaps more confusingly you can use them by different photographers in another way. Ultimately it is up to couples to ask lots of questions and do plenty of research before deciding on a photographer, and to depend upon seeing full list of photos from completed weddings Tend not to rely on the best five to six shots from several weddings to make a choice.
Wedding photography styles can be a compromise between producing fantastic work and keeping to a timetable. A photographer might produce brilliant photos, however, if he takes too long to generate them you probably won't take advantage of the experience.
Traditional (or Posed) Photography
A lot of people think of traditional wedding photography as endless stuffy group photos where everyone looks stiff being a board. Worse still, the several collections of people manage to go on forever. I do believe there is a fashion to get down on traditional wedding photography, but the actual working framework remains to be the same for most professional wedding photographers. The photographs may be more stylish though the actual experience at the time for the bride and groom is incredibly similar.
There is always a trade off between the type of work a photographer does as well as the time it takes to shoot it. More formal posed photographs is going to take longer to set up and attain. Any photographer who produces artistic posed work will require a certain amount of time to produce his best product. It is important that you find out the span of time he will need, and work out how it will fit into your entire day. There are photographers who spend two or three hours on formal shots. Be certain that you're happy with giving over that amount of time on your wedding ceremony. If you are not that comfortable in front of the camera you may find this type of photography more difficult. An excellent photographer should be able to allow you to and put you at your ease but for many individuals it can still seem a bit daunting.
Reportage Wedding Photography (Wedding Photojournalism)
If traditional is centered on posed photographs, then reportage wedding photography is the opposite. It utilizes capturing moments while they happen, and is similar to a fly on the wall documentary. This form of wedding photography means that the photographer spends nearly all of his time in the background, and so has become popular with couples. Weddings will also be increasingly less formal compared to they used to be. Documentary wedding photography demands a different skill set from traditional photography so you have to make sure that your photographer has got the correct photographic past and can show you full weddings to back this up. Wedding photojournalism is a bit more about a complete pair of pictures from the whole day than a set of a dozen highlights. There are photographers out there that will jump on the latest bandwagon to achieve business, but still use the same old style they also have. Wedding photojournalism is all about anticipation and in the right place at the perfect time. It is not about closely directing people, therefore it puts many traditional professional wedding photographers outside of their set of skills. There are some less ethical photographers which will use the latest buzzwords to boost their search engine presence, but nevertheless shoot the same tired old pictures.
If you are reticent about having your photo taken, wedding photojournalism is probably your best choice. The photography happens without you undoubtedly realizing and you'll look your natural best.
Although those two approaches might appear polar opposites, in fact most wedding photographers will offer you a blend of these two styles. There are hardly any wedding photojournalists who don't shoot a minimum of some formal photographs and traditional wedding photographers will shoot informal pictures as well. Find out what proportion of each and every a photographer loves to shoot, and better still inquire further what they like to shoot one of the most - chances are this is just what they are best at.
Vintage Wedding Photography
Vintage wedding photography is often a style that has been coming into vogue recently, but also in lots of ways its a tough one one to quantify. Vintage can often mean anything from using old film cameras during some of the wedding to just another approach to post production to generate 'vintage' looking digital files. There are a few great photographers on the market, but bear in mind that if you receive files that are heavily edited in a certain style, you operate the risk of your photos looking rather dated quite a while later. If I was finding a vintage style photographer, I personally would want at least many of the wedding shot on film, I'm not a huge fan of faking things. Of course ask questions, see examples and make an informed decision.
Editorial Photography
This wedding genre is inspired from the fashion editorials of glossy magazines, at it's best it can produce fantastic high-end images. For it successfully on a wedding day the photographer should be highly organised, and would probably need an assistant to assist set up some of the shots beforehand, although that would be determined by his or her style. Research before you buy to make sure that the time requirements for this type of shoot participate in your plans. In case you really like this type of photography along with want to devote a lot of time to it on your special day, consider booking a separate photo session following your wedding. Often describes as a trash or cherish clothes shoot, a separate photo session might be the best way to get the wedding day you want and the photographs you'll love without losing a tremendous chunk of your wedding day. Additionally, it means that you and your photographer can pick the ideal time of day for the best light and you have scope for rescheduling if it's pouring with rain. In lots of countries, particularly the US, top quality wedding photography is evolving towards three shoots: the engagement shoot, wedding ceremony day, and an editorial session. Don't necessarily feel that it all has to be completed in one day.
Artistic or Artwork Wedding Photography
Essentially an evolution of traditional wedding photography, this type of photography offers a contemporary take on the regular set of posed photographs, although these are both terms that have been somewhat over used by the photographic community, so again shop around. At its best this genre can create moving romantic images, however, many photographers can over utilize same poses, in order that it can feel a bit impersonal. Ask to view lots of shoots and be afraid to input your individual ideas at your pre-wedding meeting.
Conclusions
There are lot of styles of photographer available, but the main thing is to look beyond the catchy buzzwords and appearance long and hard at portfolios. Ultimately it's the competence of the photographer you're hiring that really matters. Experience, personal service and professionalism are what ensure a regular standard of photography from wedding to wedding, along with the consistency and ability to handle the different shooting conditions that present themselves throughout a big day. Their portfolio should show a fantastic balance of shots from bridal preparations for the first dance. Find out about how much time they will need to complete those valuable formal and couples shots, and work out how much time you are happy to give. Even with more observational styles, planning and communication ahead of the wedding is vital for top level results and to buy them efficiently. Keep to the guidelines and you really are sure to have a memorable big day with photos to fit.
You've chosen your date, booked your venue and started shopping for dresses. Now you are looking for a wedding photographer. There are plenty of styles of photography out there, and while people in the industry might know these styles really well they be confusing for couples. Remember at the same time that not only have you been picking a style of photography, but different types of wedding photography can make different demands on your time on your special day.
Wedding-photography-Washington-DC
Picking the style of photography you need at your wedding boils down to three things. What design of images you want, how long you want to spend with a photographer on the wedding day, and most importantly coming from all your own personality luxurious in front of the camera.
Engagement-photographer-Washington-DC
There are many different photography buzzwords available. Vintage, editorial, artistic or contemporary are a few. Perhaps more confusingly you can use them by different photographers in another way. Ultimately it is up to couples to ask lots of questions and do plenty of research before deciding on a photographer, and to depend upon seeing full list of photos from completed weddings Tend not to rely on the best five to six shots from several weddings to make a choice.
Wedding photography styles can be a compromise between producing fantastic work and keeping to a timetable. A photographer might produce brilliant photos, however, if he takes too long to generate them you probably won't take advantage of the experience.
Traditional (or Posed) Photography
A lot of people think of traditional wedding photography as endless stuffy group photos where everyone looks stiff being a board. Worse still, the several collections of people manage to go on forever. I do believe there is a fashion to get down on traditional wedding photography, but the actual working framework remains to be the same for most professional wedding photographers. The photographs may be more stylish though the actual experience at the time for the bride and groom is incredibly similar.
There is always a trade off between the type of work a photographer does as well as the time it takes to shoot it. More formal posed photographs is going to take longer to set up and attain. Any photographer who produces artistic posed work will require a certain amount of time to produce his best product. It is important that you find out the span of time he will need, and work out how it will fit into your entire day. There are photographers who spend two or three hours on formal shots. Be certain that you're happy with giving over that amount of time on your wedding ceremony. If you are not that comfortable in front of the camera you may find this type of photography more difficult. An excellent photographer should be able to allow you to and put you at your ease but for many individuals it can still seem a bit daunting.
Reportage Wedding Photography (Wedding Photojournalism)
If traditional is centered on posed photographs, then reportage wedding photography is the opposite. It utilizes capturing moments while they happen, and is similar to a fly on the wall documentary. This form of wedding photography means that the photographer spends nearly all of his time in the background, and so has become popular with couples. Weddings will also be increasingly less formal compared to they used to be. Documentary wedding photography demands a different skill set from traditional photography so you have to make sure that your photographer has got the correct photographic past and can show you full weddings to back this up. Wedding photojournalism is a bit more about a complete pair of pictures from the whole day than a set of a dozen highlights. There are photographers out there that will jump on the latest bandwagon to achieve business, but still use the same old style they also have. Wedding photojournalism is all about anticipation and in the right place at the perfect time. It is not about closely directing people, therefore it puts many traditional professional wedding photographers outside of their set of skills. There are some less ethical photographers which will use the latest buzzwords to boost their search engine presence, but nevertheless shoot the same tired old pictures.
If you are reticent about having your photo taken, wedding photojournalism is probably your best choice. The photography happens without you undoubtedly realizing and you'll look your natural best.
Although those two approaches might appear polar opposites, in fact most wedding photographers will offer you a blend of these two styles. There are hardly any wedding photojournalists who don't shoot a minimum of some formal photographs and traditional wedding photographers will shoot informal pictures as well. Find out what proportion of each and every a photographer loves to shoot, and better still inquire further what they like to shoot one of the most - chances are this is just what they are best at.
Vintage Wedding Photography
Vintage wedding photography is often a style that has been coming into vogue recently, but also in lots of ways its a tough one one to quantify. Vintage can often mean anything from using old film cameras during some of the wedding to just another approach to post production to generate 'vintage' looking digital files. There are a few great photographers on the market, but bear in mind that if you receive files that are heavily edited in a certain style, you operate the risk of your photos looking rather dated quite a while later. If I was finding a vintage style photographer, I personally would want at least many of the wedding shot on film, I'm not a huge fan of faking things. Of course ask questions, see examples and make an informed decision.
Editorial Photography
This wedding genre is inspired from the fashion editorials of glossy magazines, at it's best it can produce fantastic high-end images. For it successfully on a wedding day the photographer should be highly organised, and would probably need an assistant to assist set up some of the shots beforehand, although that would be determined by his or her style. Research before you buy to make sure that the time requirements for this type of shoot participate in your plans. In case you really like this type of photography along with want to devote a lot of time to it on your special day, consider booking a separate photo session following your wedding. Often describes as a trash or cherish clothes shoot, a separate photo session might be the best way to get the wedding day you want and the photographs you'll love without losing a tremendous chunk of your wedding day. Additionally, it means that you and your photographer can pick the ideal time of day for the best light and you have scope for rescheduling if it's pouring with rain. In lots of countries, particularly the US, top quality wedding photography is evolving towards three shoots: the engagement shoot, wedding ceremony day, and an editorial session. Don't necessarily feel that it all has to be completed in one day.
Artistic or Artwork Wedding Photography
Essentially an evolution of traditional wedding photography, this type of photography offers a contemporary take on the regular set of posed photographs, although these are both terms that have been somewhat over used by the photographic community, so again shop around. At its best this genre can create moving romantic images, however, many photographers can over utilize same poses, in order that it can feel a bit impersonal. Ask to view lots of shoots and be afraid to input your individual ideas at your pre-wedding meeting.
Conclusions
There are lot of styles of photographer available, but the main thing is to look beyond the catchy buzzwords and appearance long and hard at portfolios. Ultimately it's the competence of the photographer you're hiring that really matters. Experience, personal service and professionalism are what ensure a regular standard of photography from wedding to wedding, along with the consistency and ability to handle the different shooting conditions that present themselves throughout a big day. Their portfolio should show a fantastic balance of shots from bridal preparations for the first dance. Find out about how much time they will need to complete those valuable formal and couples shots, and work out how much time you are happy to give. Even with more observational styles, planning and communication ahead of the wedding is vital for top level results and to buy them efficiently. Keep to the guidelines and you really are sure to have a memorable big day with photos to fit.