Few brides fully reject traditional wedding photography. Weddings are one of the few times in life when friends and extended families come together to celebrate. Color portraits of the bride and her parents, the wedding party and the newly married couple remain essential for most brides. Even if the budget is limited, you’ll probably want a package that includes the traditional shots.
A photographer with experience in traditional and contemporary photography can offer you a balanced package. Get the traditional pre- and post-ceremony photos plus the more spontaneous, artistic pictures. Ask your photographer to incorporate a bit of photojournalism into his efforts. The traditional photo will look beautiful on your parent’s mantel. A candid black-and-white photo of you and your groom embracing may be the image you’ll want to display.
Some modern brides completely forget all staged, traditional portraits. Instead, they ask for candid black-and-white snaps taken as the day unfolds. Canted angles, blurred backgrounds, off-center compositions and streaks of motion are in. The most trendy albums show an eclectic mix of off-beat images, often shot with a sense of humor and informality.
Melding artistry and technology
There was only one way to shoot a wedding when your parents married. Everyone lined up at the altar and plastered stiff smiles on their faces. The photographer snapped a dozen shots—probably without a lighting kit—and departed for the darkroom.
Today you’re likely to hear terms like photojournalism, digital imaging, sepia toning, hand coloring, backlighting and posed candids. Get familiar with the terms because they’ll tell a lot about the style of the photographer.
Photojournalism implies a more candid, less posed style of photography. Think of the party scenes in magazines and newspaper and you’ll get the idea. The photographer may use a motor drive to zap off dozens of images as the action unfolds.
Digital imaging results in ultra-sharp images. Digitized photos can also be altered somewhat. For instance, the photographer can remove a lipstick smudge from the groom’s cheek if you’d rather it gone. Rainy skies turn sunny with this computer magic.
Sepia toning adds a brownish, antique finish to your photos. Hand painting gives the illusion of an oil-painted portrait. Neither technique is new, although both are regaining popularity.
Backlighting and other precision lighting techniques deliver high-fashion results. Many creative photographers employ specialty lighting when they shoot dramatic, staged poses. Some of the most spontaneous looking photos are actually a result of intense planning and elaborate lighting.
The contract
Photographer’s contracts are complex. Be sure to answer these questions.
- How many exposures will be shot at the wedding?
- When will the photographer start and end shooting?
- How many prints are included?
- What size will the prints be?
- What proofs are provided?
- Deadline for delivery of the proofs.
- Deadline for delivery of the finished work.
- Length of time they will store your digital images.
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