Photography: It’s all about style
Photography by Paquette
RJ Scott Photography
Deciding which photographer to use at a wedding can be a difficult thing.
But knowing what their individual style is can be a big help when choosing.
When you pick your photographer you’ll want to have some knowledge on what to look and ask for. But before you even start to interview potentials, sit down and talk about what is important for both of you.
“Knowing what you’re looking for will give you a good starting point,” said RJ Scott, of RJ Scott Photography in Cheboygan.
Establish whether you want black and whites, color or both. Couples should discuss whether candid shots are more your taste than portraits, or maybe you want a mixture of both. This all leads to the style you’ll be looking for.
“There are three main styles for most photographers — photojournalism, traditional and artistic,” Scott noted.
A photojournalist or documentary style photographer will typically work in black and white shots, often designed to tell the story of the wedding.
“A photographer that works with natural light in different settings can be the most effective,” Scott said.
A traditional or classic photographer will typically work in color and black and white, and concentrate on the milestones of the wedding day and setting up portraits.
“Portrait-style shots can be the best way to remember important parts of the wedding and reception,” Scott noted. “It can be good to get some of these shots regardless of the basic style.”
An artistic style photographer will typically work in black and white. This approach produces dramatic photos of a specific style.
“This type of photographer is good to have in addition to one with style similar to photojournalism and traditional techniques,” Scott noted.
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When you look at a photographer’s style, make sure to note how many portrait, posed and candid shots they have in their portfolio. “It’s a good idea to sit down and look at one or two wedding packages a potential photographer has done,” Scott said, as this will help you determine their technique and give you an idea of how they’ve shot previous weddings.
Another big aspect of choosing the photographer is their fee structure. Before setting a budget, plan for the photography to be about 10 percent of your wedding budget. Every professional will have a different set of fees, depending on what they offer.
“The most common trends in photography fall into the categories of traditional or posed photography,” said Michelle Northington, of Northington Photography based in Petoskey. “In most cases the photographer basically is in control of portions of the entire day, directing and leading a series of portraits at each location,” she added.
“Understanding the differences is crucial for any bride and groom so that they avoid disappointment with the results that their wedding photographer provides,” Northington noted. “They should have a discussion about shots they must have during the first meeting with a photographer.”
Scott noted there can be an overlap between styles.
“Often we find ourselves taking many styles of shots to accommodate specific requests from the ➣ bride and groom, which is perfectly OK,” he noted.
Considering the requests for different styles, there is a tendency for the “hybrid” style photographer to be an expert at meeting the needs of the bride and groom.
“If you have seen a photographer’s work and his/her images look perfect and natural looking or like a painting, they can probably manage most shots,” Scott noted.
The best wedding photographers find great locations with bright colors, interesting textures and perfect lighting. They will then direct the couple to stand in a position and act like the photographer isn’t there.
“There may not be a set style of photographer to capture these shots; rather, it will be a reflection of overall skill and technique,” Scott noted.
When the hybrid photographer is not posing and staging couples, he changes his style and approach by capturing candid photographs of the day.
If you prefer that your photographer stay out of the way and allow you to spend most of your day interacting with your guests you may choose an artistic style photographer only.
“The more artistic shots will be candid and less posed, and may include a mix of guests, not focusing on just the wedding party,” Scott said.
If you would rather have perfect images that require your photographer to interact with you, or a mix of both, use the photographer’s expertise in utilizing lighting and settings.
“Don’t be afraid to make a list of what you want and work with your photographer to get the shots just as you want them,” Northington said.
In order to know for sure that the photographer will capture the wedding as you see it, do the work well beforehand and spend time viewing many photographers’ works.
“As you see more and more different photographers’ wedding packages, you’ll get your own eye for styles and have a good idea what to choose,” Northington noted.
Regardless of what style is chosen or the specific photographer used, the key to getting exactly the right pictures starts with as knowing what you want and not settling for anything less.
Up North Bride Home » Fall 2011 Edition » Photography: It’s all about style