Wedding photography is as old as cameras. Who wouldn’t want to memorialize their special day with pictures of all the people and places that made it possible? As we become a more digital and visual society, photography has moved beyond memorials and into a form of communication. How do you want to communicate your wedding through photos? Here are some thoughts.
As most professional photography has embraced digital formats, creative and editing options have burgeoned for both the photographer and the end user alike. Color changes, effects, corrections, panoramic views, and stitching have all become commonplace. The ease and speed of these processes opens an opportunity for you to customize the theme and design of your wedding photos to match virtually any other aspect of your affair.
For example, let’s say the venue you selected has the look and feel of an old carriage house. You can ask your photographer to incorporate some phots of the space (which all photographers are likely to do) to capture that charm. He or she can then use those shots in a montage. But to bring it to a new level, suggest that he or she use a sepia effect, or perhaps a vignette to tie your photos into the time frame of the setting. Perhaps some of your photos from your beach reception can be recolored to look like old black and whites that were touched up and highlighted? This could produce a cool, vintage effect.
The staging of photos is always topic for debate. Some prefer to shoot most of the photos in formal poses. This can often be very time consuming. Whenever you hear a bride complain that she spent half of her reception taking pictures, you can bet she has countless posed photos. Now while there is certainly something to be said for the formal photos, perhaps you should consider a combination. Keep the formal poses to a minimum, then ask your photographer to spend some time taking candid shots of you, the wedding party, and of course, guests. Each time we have seen a client ask for candid shots they inevitably end of being some of the favorite pictures taken. This style of photography really communicates, by capturing unique laughter and genuine smiles, the honest joy you and your guests are feeling at your wedding. Those are priceless.
We have also seen clients hire photographers that are not wedding photographers. A couple might choose a studio photographer, or a sports photog for their wedding. While this might seem like an odd choice at first, if you are seeking wedding photos that are artistic and classy, this is a great option. One of the best we have seen was a small, outdoor, wedding that hired a photographer known for shooting musicians and bands. In addition to being very affordable, he took incredible, artistic photos of both posed and candid subjects, in color and black and white. These photos were a little edgy, and truly beautiful.
In the editing phase you can ask your photographer to use graphics (like borders and fades) that match your color scheme or feature the flowers you chose for your arrangements. If you choose to have a digital slideshow, the effects and graphics there can be not only color matched, but can be designed to create a classic, modern, vintage, future, or traditional theme to your photo album. Be creative and let your photographer know what you would like. You might be surprised how helpful your photographer can be when you ask them to be artistic. Give it a try!
Next week are going to discuss more about photography packages, and questions to ask your photographer before signing a contract. Stay tuned!