It is quite easy to identify the distinct wedding photography styles currently popular in the marketplace. The styles include Traditional, Contemporary, Candid, Illustrative, Documentary and Reportage, among others.
However when it comes to selecting the professional photographer for your special day, you should not assume that the style they say they work in fits the work they produce.
So the obvious course of action is to look at the photographer’s portfolios to determine what their style truly is, a brief synopsis of 4 of the major styles will follow.
CONTEMPORARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
As suggested by the title, contemporary wedding photography is a relatively recent development, the style is exemplified by the creation of high fashion images. Glamor poses, professional makeup and edgy backgrounds comprise the components of the contemporary style.
Even the lighting effects typically used in a studio borne fashion shoot are often utilized by photographers to create the desired effects of the contemporary style. A choreographed hands on direction of the primary subjects, the bride and groom is taken.
Deliberate poses similar to those usually found in high fashion magazines are used. For a conservative couple, the Contemporary style may not be appropriate for you. While the setup for the Contemporary style is as time consuming as the Traditional style, the results will likely be more flashy.
PHOTOJOURNALISM AS A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE
Photojournalism is a documentary form at its purest, em-phasing candid shots with limited posing.
The style is also referred to as Reportage, Candid Wedding photography.
Successful photojournalist photography captures the emotional mood of the wedding, and the resultant wedding album documents the story of the wedding day creatively.
The photojournalist has less interaction with the bride and groom and the process is less time intensive than contemporary or traditional wedding photography.
ILLUSTRATIVE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
While Illustrative photography has been around for a while it is a newer style which combines elements of both traditional and photojournalistic photography.
The process attempts to capture the wedding in a more candid manner, while choreographing poses when necessary or possible.
Posing may involve the selection of background or a change in indoor lighting to create the desired end result.
An example of Illustrative wedding photography may be an outdoor placement of the bride and groom against a natural background, or the brides dressing room documenting her preparation using natural light sans posing.
TRADITIONAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
While those who practice the art may refer to their style as “timeless” the emphasis in Traditional Wedding photography is to capture classic traditional poses in the romantic wedding setting.
A great deal of emphasis is placed on posing not only the bride and groom but their family and friends as well. There is a great deal more interaction with the bride and groom, wedding party and guests as a result, causing the shoot to be longer.
A traditional wedding photographer should be expert in portrait techniques, as well as lighting. Quite frequently these professionals work off of a shot list that is generated prior to the ceremony.
Truly,
You may be hard pressed to categorize most wedding photographers into any of these styles definitively, the proof so to say is in the proofs! You will be able to determine whether the photographer is effective in a given style by reviewing their work.
When Reviewing St. Louis Wedding photographers, you will find that Whitney and Brendan Raidt can produce any style you prefer, or a combination of styles, at your request. Just go to the contact form and provide your contact details to initiate a discussion and begin your vetting process. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank You For Visiting