In this three part series we give some expert advice on how to choose your wedding photographer. We cover the various styles of wedding photography and picking one that’s right for you, the best ways to go about finding your perfect wedding photographer and then what to ask a wedding photographer when you meet them.
How to Find a Wedding Photographer: The Styles of Wedding Photography
Choosing your wedding photographer is a huge decision. The photographer you choose and the images they take are what will evoke the memories you thought you had forgotten years after the big day.
Modern wedding photography can be separated into many styles and all have their place in the world of weddings. When looking for your wedding photographer you will need to consider the style you would most like your wedding day represented in. Below we have put together some of the most popular styles of wedding photography to help you navigate the first steps in choosing your wedding photographer.
1. Documentary/Reportage
This approach of non intrusive photography has become incredibly popular over the last few years. Good documentary style wedding photographers have an innate ability to predict the events before they happen and to be able to get into the perfect place to capture it. Having such a non intrusive presence at the wedding enables the photographer to record the events of the day without having an impact on the events themselves.
2. Editorial
Based on imagery you would expect to see gracing one of your favorite magazines or publications, an editorial wedding photographer depicts the story of the day by creating a narrative through their images. An editorial photographer may well step into moments in the day themselves to create or help the overall outcome of the scene. Similar to a conductor he is not playing the instruments himself but is making sure all the different parts come together to form the best possible result.
3. Traditional
Although the name probably sends a shiver down many couples’ spines these days, traditional wedding photography has an invaluable part to play. Think of the shots that your parents and grandparents would like to remember the day by. These will probably be a classic record of the two of you and the important people who were present at the event. A wedding can be a rare occasion for all the family to be together and it is these photographs that not just your parents but more than likely you will cherish looking back on in years to come. Also beautiful bridal portraits that look like modern fashion photography have there roots in the classical posing and lighting of traditional photography.
What Style of Photography is Right for You?
So what is the best style of photography for a wedding and what will be right for your day? We believe it is a combination of the various styles that will truly capture the narrative of your day at its best. There are times during the day when the photographer must be unobtrusive and capture natural moments as they happen. Then there are times when using traditional photography gives the best results. An editorial style will create a moment or tell a story in an image and with the photographers’ help it will give you a stunning final image.
Ultimately their are photographers out there who specialise in one style and those who combine different styles to create their own unique style. It is up to you, the bride and groom to decide what suits your personality and wedding day best. Spend time looking at photographers portfolios and get a feel for the photographs that you connect with the most. We would always recommend meeting the photographer whose photos you are drawn to to get a feel for them and their approach – this will give you a really good indication if they are ‘the ones’! First however you must go about finding your photographer.
In part 2 of this article we will discuss the best ways of how to find a wedding photographer.
