Loading ...Many couples start frantically looking for a photographer before they’ve even considered what style of pictures they are hoping for. Martin Plant, one half of a successful husband-and-wife photography team, gives us the lowdown on the different options.
Three main choices
Unobtrusive, natural, reportage, creative, traditional, contemporary… These are just a few of the many terms you’ll see in wedding-photography adverts. What do they all mean?
There are only really three main styles of wedding photography (and the edges of these definitions are blurry):
Classical or traditional wedding photography
Classical or traditional wedding photography is generally a formal record of the people who were at the wedding rather than of the day itself. Top classical wedding photographers are highly skilled in posing groups of people and in traditional portraits of the bride and groom. If great formal pictures of the people at your wedding is important to you then choose someone with these skills.
Reportage wedding photography
Reportage wedding photography is a record of the day’s events, taken in the style of a newspaper photojournalist. A true reportage photographer will take pictures of whatever happens during the day, unobtrusively and without directing events. Good reportage wedding photography requires considerable skill. Regardless of whether the shot is posed, people still want to look good in their pictures. Poor reportage photography can look little better than snapshots.
This shot of mine is typical of the reportage style. It was taken in a dark church without using intrusive flash. The moment of fun during the ceremony was spontaneous; my job was to catch it!
If you or your fiancé really dislike like having your picture taken or you just want a record of your day as it unfolds, you should consider a reportage-style photographer.
Directed wedding photography
Directed wedding photography is a style where the photographer plays a more active role in the day’s events by influencing situations to set up a shot. The shot might not look posed, but it wouldn’t have happened without the photographer’s help. The degree of influence can vary from simply setting up a few fashionable portraits of the bride and groom, through to a fashion-style photo shoot. Great photographers in this category are skilled in creating a moment, then capturing that moment beautifully. The moment might be an interaction between two guests who the photographer has prompted, or it could be a direct reaction to the photographer. They also understand how to use light and how to position people to get the best shots. A lot of the photography you see in wedding magazines falls into this category.
Karen’s great shot showing a moment of fun and love between the same bride and her sister looks completely natural. In fact the situation was created by the photographers. A good example of directed wedding photography.
If you want stylish pictures of your wedding and are happy spending a few minutes with your photographer to achieve this, then directed is the style for you.
Best of both worlds
Of course, you will not necessarily be restricted to one style. Some photographers will combine different approaches. Karen and I use a mixture of the reportage and directed styles, and this offers the perfect compromise for many couples. It means that for most of the day the photographer will work unobtrusively, but for a few minutes they’ll take some portraits of the happy couple and any group shots they want. The best of both worlds!
Northamptonshire-based Martin and Karen provide a nationwide service. They have a passion for beautiful photography and delighting their clients with outstanding service
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