What Is The Difference Between Traditional Wedding Photography And Wedding Photojournalism?

Posted on 11. Dec, 2010 by Brian in Photojournalism, Wedding

Video: Colorado Visions Outdoor Weddings Traditional wedding photography has been around since the invention of the camera. That doesnt make it a bad thing. The wedding photography method was to have people pose for the picture. It was probably the norm because cameras were slow and bulky. Today the traditional style of wedding photography lives on. The image quality, correct lighting and proper background are a photographer’s main concerns. Traditional wedding photographers put a great deal of emphasis on portraiture, making sure that everyone will look great. Everything needs to be just as it should be, every detail including: body alignment, portable studio lighting, the background, even the dress, should be set. This takes a fair amount of time. Traditional wedding photography has a time commitment from the bride and groom. The photographer is left in charge of the flow of the wedding to accommodate his need of posing the pictures.

As a wedding photojournalist, I make every effort to include posed portraits while photographing your wedding.

Wedding photojournalism relies more on the photographers skill and anticipation to capture a natural moment. Using composition and light to capture a couples real wedding day. Not a photographer telling them to do things all day that many times they might never do.

I think people want to experience real life as it happens. They want to remember their wedding day, without someone asking them constantly to move or stand a certain way. They want to remember the spontaneous real moment. I want your wedding photos to truly reflect the wedding day by capturing natural moments.

I tell couples they need to understand the difference between pure wedding photojournalism and a more traditional approach. When I started to photograph weddings in 2005, I felt it was important to offer couples a combination of both. Most weddings average about 10-hours from getting ready to the wind-down of the reception. If you are adamant about documenting your wedding in a photojournalistic style, make sure you communicate your wishes, so he or she doesnt feel pressured to get those canned shots, and can instead focus on the real moments, happening organically, without direction or interruption.

I ask couple why they picked me? Most of the time they say they dont want those posed shots that theyve seen in everyone elses portfolio. They mention the high quality portraits, too. My goal is to give couples my best portrait skills, by getting the highest quality traditional style bridal, wedding party and family portraits combined with my years of experience as a photojournalist captured the natural wedding day moments.

Tags: Family Portrait, photojournalism, Portrait, Traditional Portrait, Wedding Photography