Styles of Contemporary Wedding Photography
...as defined by the staff of NewfoundlandWedding.com.
There is such a range of terminology developing around different types of wedding photography that it can be confusing to define one style from another. With the number of words that professionals sometimes throw around, the whole discussion can often seem quite silly.
While it is true that these definitions matter very little to many couples, it is still important to understand the difference in technique practiced by photographers that shoot in each style. In particular, couples that have requirements for specific wedding day photos should understand the general concept behind each style of coverage to ensure that they're hiring the right person.
For the purpose of this discussion, we'll quickly classify wedding photography into four general styles - Fun Posed, Candid, Artistic and Fantasy.
Fun Posed / Formal / Traditional / Portraiture.
These are (very likely) the pictures your parents have of their wedding day.
Pictures are planned and often requested beforehand by the couple, and each shot is arranged to varying degrees by the photographer.
Although the photos taken in this situation are planned, this doesn't mean the pictures always look like conventional posed shots - the subject may not necessarily be looking at the camera for example. The easiest way to accurately define this type of picture is to ask yourself "were the people in the photograph aware of the photographer or responding to the photographer's request?" If the answer is "Yes"... it was a posed shot.
As for how this style is utilized by the client on the wedding day, often upon seeing everyone together, the couple comes to the realization that there is a limited opportunity to get photos of certain groupings and end up requesting more posed pictures than planned ("let's all get a picture with grandma!").
This type of photography, while sometimes shunned amongst young people, has also evolved with the times and is often unfairly categorized. Photographs of this type don't have to be as stodgy as they use to be, and there's no reason why posed pictures can't be fun pictures.
These "fun posed" shots are perhaps the most common type of contemporary wedding photography. It is important to understand and acknowledge however that this type of photo is "faked". Most often, they are controlled to varying degrees by the photographer to emulate a Candid shot (see below). There is a small but very important consideration that a couple has to make if they want these shots: If you don't mind "faking it", hire someone that can arrange these fun poses. If you want these shots to be real, hire a photojournalist.
Candid / Documentary / Photojournalistic / Reportage.
Also sometimes referred to as "natural" or "action" shots.
This style employs a totally different technique from portraiture. For example, with posed pictures (above), the photographer instructs and controls the situation and may ask subjects to do specific things. By contrast, with candid photography, they will disappear into the background and go unnoticed while capturing people and their natural personalities.
This is the style of photograph that we showcase here at NewfoundlandWedding.com and is, by far, the style of coverage about which we get the most inquiries.
Ideally, the photojournalistic photographer is somewhat detached from the event. In stark contrast to instructing people, they roam and document the event as it happens, having little or no involvement with the subjects. If the couple is relaxed about their day and comfortable with the photographer they've selected, this arrangement can allow them to capture some truly natural moments.
Something to keep in mind when requesting this type of coverage is that the situation or environment that produces candid photographs cannot be controlled - attempts to excessively arrange or stage a situation will produce an environment that is exactly opposite to the one that is required for this style of coverage to thrive. If the couple has selected a photographer that specializes in this candid, documentary approach, it's a good idea for them to relax and have fun while the day naturally plays out.
Artistic / Creative.
Although not often explored, this is a good selection as it is the style that can most readily provide the couple with unique material. The use of digital equipment has allowed this style to expand significantly, giving the photographer more opportunity in post-production to produce original works.
This style can be considered traditional and typical of wedding photography with, for example, a circular vignette and softening filter applied to a conventional posed picture of the couple.
But more often, today's artistic pictures are considered cutting edge. This can produce photos that may not look like they're from a wedding at all, often employing concepts or angles that are non-traditional or lighting and colouring that is dark or moody.
If requesting primarily this type of artistic coverage, the couple should endeavour to do adequate research into the photographer's style and tastes, if only to avoid a feeling of surprise upon delivery of proofs. Pre-wedding research and analysis of a wide range of existing work is important as, with this style more than any other, trust is placed in the photographer to interpret the event in an artistic way - you don't want to be unhappy with their interpretation.
Fantasy / Pictorial / Illustrative.
This style takes the posed or formal photograph and combines it with an artistic and creative flare. The finished product has a very dramatic, dreamy effect, with pictures that can look almost fictional with a magazine-like quality.
There is often some retouching or other editing in an effort to make this style of photograph appear fairy-tale-perfect. While the result is somewhat artistic, the look is often achieved through work in a controlled environment. This style is often associated with big budget weddings where a significant amount of time is scheduled for a commercial style shoot with the purpose of getting a number of very specific photographs.
Of all styles we've defined here, this is perhaps the least common. On their wedding day, many couples are unwilling to make as large a commitment as is required for this type of shoot to produce what is, in the end, a very specific result.
Conclusion.
If you plan to hire a professional photographer, the first thing to keep in mind is that they've done this before. That's not to say that your pictures will end up looking like pictures from every other wedding they've covered - the fact that every wedding is different will produce unique works. However, it's good to keep in mind that, if you think you'll have to tell your photographer how to do their job, you're either hiring the wrong person, or you're approaching the situation with the wrong attitude.
Much of the work displayed in our galleries here at NewfoundlandWedding.com would be considered Candid / Documentary / Photojournalistic style. Starting in 2008, we will be practicing primarily this style, and therefore are accepting only those clients that request it. For more detail on this topic, please see FAQ item 1.05.
Additional Resources.
The following articles are from WedPix, the online photography magazine of the Wedding Photojournalist Association. As such, they focus on tips for those that desire this candid style of coverage.
1. Hiring a Creative Professional. Please ignore the bit about the meal! (see our policy on eating)
2. Optimizing your Wedding Photojournalism.
3. Wedding Day Portraits for the Bride and Groom.
4. Surviving the (Group) Portraits.
5. Capturing the Moment.
6. Wedding Memories and Budget.
7. Deprogramming Wedding Subjects.
Planning ahead for your wedding day photos.
It is often assumed by a couple during the planning stages of a wedding that a general schedule for the day is unimportant. After all, you've both already made a conscious commitment to just relax and have fun on the wedding day, no matter what it may bring. You've arranged a time and location for the ceremony and reception, so everything else will just fall into place... right?
Wrong. We have found, almost without exception, that when couples do not have a realistic general schedule for the day, they tend to be less happy with how things play out. A realistic time line will reduce the number of quick decisions that have to be made, and therefore reduce the level of stress.
We are more than willing at NewfoundlandWedding.com to help with this planning. Please feel free to draw upon our experience in this area - we've seen the good and the bad, and we want your day to be perfect - let us help.
Even after carefully planning a realistic general schedule though, it's important to remain flexible. Some things will simply not go as expected, and it's important to accept that beforehand. For someone who has spent months planning, a simple mishap on the wedding day can seem catastrophic. But keep this in mind - the entire day, no matter how it goes, will be something that you'll look back upon fondly if you follow this simple suggestion - once the day begins, relax and have fun.
In short, while it is certainly a good idea to plan ahead, arranging every intricate detail to the point of assured disappointment will not result in a happy wedding day or happy memories of it. Keep in mind the meaning behind this famous quote of Dwight Eisenhower:
"I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable."
Go back to the FAQ.