Capturing Your Wedding In A True Photojournalistic Style
Many grooms-to-be and brides-to-be ask,
“How do I find a wedding photographer that will cover my wedding in true photojournalistic style?”
First, let’s define photojournalistic style as it relates to a wedding. A wedding is a collection of family members and friends all moving in different directions to prepare for one thing: your special ceremony and celebration. The phrase “wedding photojournalist” has been in style for a while now and has almost become synonymous with any type of wedding photography, but there are distinct differences.
Photojournalism tells a visual story and is not just a collection of candid and/or posed pictures. All of the action surrounding your ceremony and its myriad details is what wedding photojournalism is all about. The preparation, the guests arriving, the venue being hand-decorated with personal touches, the contemplation, the rejoicing, and the joining of family all need to be captured in an artistic fashion. Wedding photojournalism documents the flow and the emotion of the day as we all gather to witness your event.
On the other hand, traditional wedding photography utilizes classical, formal posing techniques and probably studio lights. Some photographers may try to blend these styles, with varying degrees of almost-but-not-quite success.
Here are some questions to think about as you consider a photographer:
- What are your qualifications as a photojournalist?
- Tell me about the type of images you take and your style of shooting?
- Do you visit the venue before the day of the ceremony to plan where and how you will capture the event?
- Do you arrive early to capture the entire venue, the getting ready and preparations?
- Can you show me some examples of wedding photojournalism?
Answered correctly, these questions will help insure your wedding story is best told. Consider this: there will be no one at your wedding that will see more of the entire day than your photographer. This is why I take my job so seriously. I give you and your future spouse a unique view into the day that no one else will have. The day goes by so fast, but my pictures will capture your most precious memories and special moments that are all too often forgotten. These unique events will be preserved for you to have and share for many years to come.