Contemporary Wedding Photography

Contents

Introduction

From its earliest days until comparatively recently, wedding photography followed an accepted combination of formal, posed images of the happy couple and interminable family group images. The composition of family groups conformed to rigid standards that remained largely unchanged for decades. The set expressions and regimented poses created by 19th-century wedding photographers were dictated partly by social convention and partly by a technology that required subjects to remain motionless throughout lengthy exposures to avoid image blurring.

This stereotypical social imagery remained the standard until around the 1930s when the rapid development of affordable, basic photographic equipment, changing social habits and expectations, and the evolution of a less regimented approach to social photography gained wider appeal. The major breakthrough in wedding photography must surely have come when some early pioneer realized the ‘lifestyle imagery’ potential in allowing his sitters to look happy for the camera.

A more sophisticated and affluent society brought higher expectations, aspirations and the confidence of customers to dictate their own personal requirements. The days of the wedding photographer who arrived on the day with just a medium-format camera, a couple of lenses, a flashgun, a tripod and four or five rolls of film are well and truly over. Society no longer requires that kind of approach. This is contemporary wedding photography and the shackles have been cast off.

Capturing a moment in time, like this shot of a little bridesmaid holding the flowers, says more than words. A 80–200mm lens allows you to get in close without drawing too much attention to yourself. Ensure you have enough space to use this lens. Working quickly and under pressure at a wedding doesn’t give you a lot of time to change lenses.

Nikon DSLR, 80–200mm lens, 1/250sec at f/2.8

Get in close. The eye contact between the bride and the camera makes this shot, and the expression in her eyes says it all. Expression, expression! That is the key to good wedding photography.

Nikon DSLR, 28-80mm lens, 1/125sec at f/4

You can’t fail with a shot of this nature. It has softness, lovely colour and, of course, the cuteness of the little girl peeping through.

Nikon DSLR, 17–55mm lens, 1/60sec at f/2.8

This award-winning photograph was captured between the ceremony and reception. The bride was told to turn slowly towards the sunlight until she was asked to hold the pose. The breeze has just taken her shawl and lifted it slightly, giving movement and shape to the image. The photograph was converted to black and white and blue-toned.

Nikon DSLR, 28–80mm lens, 1/250sec at f/8

Directing the bride to throw her veil around created movement in this image. Again, the picture works because of the bride’s expression and the composition.

Nikon DSLR, 28–80mm lens, 1/60sec at f/5.6

Digital Innovation

Wedding photography as a developing genre has been accelerated by digital capture, improved image manipulation and album design software packages. As early adopters of digital technology, we have been at the forefront of contemporary wedding photography capture and presentation. In the early days, our conversion to a digital workflow was met with scepticism and doubt by many of our industry colleagues. What has happened in the intervening years is quite predictable. Those sceptics have either now taken the digital route themselves, or they have simply gone out of business. It is a very stark fact of business that if you are unable to provide a product that is in demand, you will cease to trade.

There is no doubt that digital technology has allowed us, and photographers in many other fields, to expand our creative repertoire, both in photography and presentation. Our own early conversion to digital capture and workflow has paid off, but there is no future and nothing to be gained by sitting at the top of the learning curve and gazing down with smug satisfaction as the competition frantically tries to catch up. Those who have both creative ability as photographers and the willingness to gain expertise with evolving technology will take the industry forward. Wedding photography is an exciting place to be at the moment, constrained only by the vision and enthusiasm of its best practitioners. It is a fluid environment and, for professionals, our businesses can grow with it. Interested amateurs can benefit from our techniques to extend their abilities and range.

This is a beautiful image of the bride and her daughter, Libby. The little girl was looking through the window for squirrels. Notice how the bride’s face has been illuminated by the light reflecting off her dress. Flash would have killed the atmosphere here.

Nikon DSLR, 28–80mm lens, 1/60sec at f/4

This creative and dramatic image was created using a fisheye lens, a wall for the bride to sit on and finally, by turning the bride towards the light, the composition was complete.

Nikon DSLR, 10.5mm fisheye lens, 1/60sec at f/8

Creative Approaches

Contemporary wedding photography, as we refer to it in this book, consists of four areas, which call for different techniques and approaches. The documentary or photojournalistic style is used for the bride and groom in preparation, the ceremony and the signing of the register. For this, we use a combination of unposed and camera-aware techniques with our subjects. A little direction or encouragement helps with the story and refinement of the images.

Immediately after the marriage ceremony, there is an outpouring of emotion and expression, which calls for a fly-on-the-wall, reportage approach to the photography. There is no intervention by us and, although the subjects may well be aware of the presence of the camera, they are generally oblivious to it. The object is to capture all of the excitement and expression as close friends and relatives congratulate the newly married couple.

The family group photographs and a group shot of all the guests require a greater degree of posed direction but, as you will see, these images can be produced with a minimum of fuss and formality. While still an important part of the album, the set-up groups are, these days, the least popular part of wedding photography for the couple and guests. It is important to make every effort to take them quickly and professionally, while ensuring the experience is as enjoyable as it possibly can be for everyone involved.

Finally, there is our signature editorial style of photographing the couple alone. Our inspiration is drawn from many sources, from fashion and lifestyle publications and men’s magazines to advertising and glamour images. For the short period of time – around 20–30 minutes – that we are alone with the couple, direction and control is intense, but above all fun for both the couple and ourselves.

The Photographer’s Journey

These four distinct styles of photography combine to create a contemporary, stylish and complete story of the wedding day. The photography provides the building blocks; the post-production treatment and final album presentation complete the storybook. Contemporary wedding photography can provide an unlimited outlet for expression and creativity. Each wedding is different and brings its own challenges, providing the spur to push ourselves a little further and thus refine our ideas.

Within this book, we shall take the reader on a journey through our approach to wedding photography. Beginning with the initial enquiry and booking, we explain the steps to take during the preparation for the wedding and how to gain the confidence and trust of the couple. Following from that, every aspect of the day’s coverage is examined, from the basics of posing groups and individuals, to taking pictures unobtrusively and controlling available light. A section on the Wedding Story shows how the photography of the day develops to build up a story of people, events and emotions. Advice, tips and techniques for success are provided throughout.

The final three chapters examine the work to be done once the wedding is over, from editing and digitally enhancing the photographs, to designing the couple’s selection in the album. There is also advice on marketing, since wedding photography, no matter how creative, is still a business and there is always the need to stay one step ahead of competitors.

Wedding photography has evolved into art where once it was a craft. The aim of this book is to show some of the many creative possibilities and provide the inspiration to look for more.

This image has won numerous awards. It shows the expression and emotion that all brides should feel on their wedding day. After conversion to black and white, the image was blue-toned and vignetted at the corners to add depth and mood.

Nikon DSLR, 28–80mm lens, 1/250sec at f/2.8

Always be prepared for the unexpected. This image was created without intervention by Julie. The four bridesmaids were waiting for the bride to finish her preparations. As children will, they became restless and began to play on the sofa, falling backwards and kicking their feet in the air. It would be impossible to choreograph this moment or repeat it. Julie became the UK Avant Garde Wedding Photographer of the Year at the British Professional Photography Awards in 2001; this image has the contemporary but timeless quality that has become her signature.

The importance of entering competitions and acheiving success in major awards cannot be overstated. It is one of the most effective ways to raise your profile and secure wedding bookings – everyone likes to be associated with a winner!

Nikon DSLR, 28–80mm lens, 1/60sec at f/5.6, bounced flash

CHAPTER 1

Preparation

This chapter looks at the various stages that take place in the run-up to a wedding, from the first meeting with the clients to drawing up a schedule of events. In between, there is an informal meeting with the couple at the venue for the pre-wedding photo shoot. As well as providing them with an additional service, it is a good chance to find locations that will be used for photography on the day.

The final phase of the peparations is the last pre-wedding interview with the couple, which takes place about two months before the big day. By this stage, all their plans will be in place and any changes to the original itinerary can be discussed. The suppliers will all have been appointed and the couple will have a confirmed guest list.

Thorough preparation pays off ensuring that everyone has a clear knowledge of the planned sequence and timing of the day’s events. An additional, vital benefit is that the couple and photographer have built a strong rapport and can greet each other as friends when the day finally arrives.

Meeting Your Clients

The frequency of telephone enquiries about your services measures the effectiveness of marketing and advertising strategies. The percentage of those enquiries that convert into confirmed bookings are indicators of your product, the marketplace, your pricing, marketing strategy and yourselves, as perceived by the couple at the first meeting.

ABOVE AND RIGHT: At the first meeting with potential clients, display albums are shown and the couple’s likes and dislikes noted. It is also the chance to check that you can get on with each other and build up the rapport that will be vital on the