Portrait Photography
In planning your wedding photography, it is important to know both what styles are available and which styles you prefer for your wedding photography.
Wedding photography falls into four basic categories.
Classic or Traditional:
This style focus on “posed” photographs. Photographers primarily focus on the elements that the couple has requested in advance. They create and pose or adjust the elements, body stance, background, props, etc. The main images or locations. The, “meat and potatoes”. You’ll defiantly get the main parts of your wedding covered but often with less artistic style or creativity.
Documentary or Photo Journalistic (PJ):
This type of photographer specializes in capturing events as it unfolds in real time. This style is for the bride who prefers candid photos. Often these are available light only with no flash. The current light and airy style is often Photo Journalistic. Much often more creative and artistic but you may miss something if it did not happen naturally or the photographer missed it when it did. For example, a couple looking at the camera and smiling during a special dance. Looking at each other and interacting is great but you may miss that classic looking and smiling photo that someone may really want.
Illustrative:
This style of photography combines the above two styles to capture natural, candid and spontaneous images as well as some posed photographs. You often get both here but lack the consistent style and uniformity that many couples look for.
Portraiture:
This photographic style will focus on “portrait style” shots of the bride and groom as well as portraits of family members. Most of your coverage tends to be well planned out, set up or staged. You’ll often get stunning images with and immaculate, predictable results. You will probably have many great images but much less time enjoying your event and guests. Much more time is needed planning, staged images.