Finding Your Style of Wedding Photography
Capturing weddings can seem daunting for new photographers. But the key to a successful career is to find your style.
To do this, start by having an open conversation with the couple to understand their goals for the day. They may want heartfelt moments or classic posed photos. Also, be sure to scout the site ahead of time to find the best angles.
Photojournalistic Style
Having a photojournalistic style of Wedding Photography means that your photographer will capture candid moments throughout the day, such as a flower girl giggling before she walks down the aisle or your reserved cousin coming alive on the dance floor to his favorite song. This type of photography requires a high level of skill to observe the nuanced things happening around you and capture them in their most authentic form.
To identify a photographer who shoots in this style, ask them about their process. They should be able to tell you about their style and how they work to get the shots that you see in their portfolio.
Another aspect of this style is the commitment to natural lighting and avoiding use of flash. When you view the photographer’s portfolio, look for photos that were shot in a variety of settings without relying on artificial light. This will help the images stand the test of time and feel more like a representation of you and your partner.
Direct Flash Style
This photo style is popular for couples who want to get creative and have fun with their wedding photos. Typically, these photos are taken outside and will show the couple interacting with each other in natural scenery. They might even pose a little to create a fun, unique photo that will stand out in their wedding album.
A lot of couples are ditching traditional photography trends for more modern ones. That’s why direct flash style is growing in popularity for weddings. This style creates a burst of light that highlights your subjects and can be very effective in creating a sense of drama to your wedding photos.
It’s similar to photojournalistic photography in that your photographer will be more hands off and let the day unfold naturally, but it’s also very similar to a traditional photographer in terms of how they frame their shots and use lighting. This style is great for couples who love fashion and editorial photography, but want a more relaxed feel to their wedding photos.
Traditional Style
Traditional wedding photographers focus on posed photos, like those that capture your entire wedding party or group shots of your friends and family. While these may not be as priceless as photojournalistic or fine-art images, they do stand the test of time and often make the best wedding album heirlooms.
Photojournalistic wedding photography, as its name suggests, is a style that mimics how news photographers cover real-life events. Photographers working in this style act as a fly on the wall, capturing authentic moments as they happen without staging them. This is why it's important to ask your photographer about their style before hiring them, Kershner says.
If you're looking for a mix of candid and traditional shots, consider lifestyle wedding photography. This style offers a nice middle ground between the two, incorporating a bit of direction and styling for more polished results. It also gives you the opportunity to incorporate some beautiful backlit photos. Download free wedding photography Lightroom presets here.
Detail Shots
There are many small details that make up a bride’s or groom’s big day. From shoes, to cuff links, to perfume, to hair accessories, to the dress, veil, and bouquet – detail shots are where photographers really shine. These are also the shots that will be published in wedding magazines.
Getting these shots is more about constant awareness than it is lens choice. A 35mm is fine if you’re shooting close ups of flower buds, but you’ll want a longer lens for fuller, more detailed shots of larger elements.
The most important thing when creating a shot list is understanding what is truly important to the couple. While the “shot list” might look similar to one you’ve seen online, it should always be tailored to your client. After all, that’s what makes you stand out! The photo that matters most is the one that will remind them of who they were with on their special day.