The Wrong Way to Do Good Wedding Photography!
- Allen Blasdell
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
RANT FOLLOWS.......
I've just seen a post on Instagram that typified what I believe is BAD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
GOOD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY imho is:-
Unobtrusive Natural
Documents events of the day as they happened
Relaxed with little or no intervention by the photographer (except for group shots which obviously need to be organised and couple shots which need to be staged - but not posed!)
The KEY is to capture the memories and moments as they actually happened - like Alisha below.
So this reel on Instagram was this Female Utah Wedding Photographer shooting the Bride and Groom walking back up the aisle in a brightly lit venue. Every shot she used on camera flash and a zoom lens.
Problems..
Flash is VERY obtrusive and annoying for guests.
It kills all the ambience of the natural light at the venue.
On camera flash is never flattering to the couple
Zoom lenses are the work of the Devil! Ok not quite but Prime lenses are always going to give better photos - but require more work from the photographer
She replied to my comment I left saying "it's her style" and that it's why clients book her. Well if that's true (I do wonder if they realise the implications of her "style" and just how "in yer face she's going to be") then ok - who am I to tell people what they should like.
The crux of my problem is just that, her "style". Wedding photography shouldn't be about the photographers "style" if that style is all about them. The style of wedding photography should be ALL ABOUT THE COUPLE and what matters to them, NOT the photographer. The photographers job is NOT to get shots for their Instagram profile but to get shots for the couple that tells the story of their day with beautiful, natural, relaxed photos that capture the magic of the day.
Blasting on camera flash when it's totally unnecessary is all about this photographer and her Instagram STYLE and not about the couple.
GOOD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY IS HARD
It should be hard - the photographer isn't there for an easy life but to work to get the best light (which is rarely if ever flash), the best angle, with the best lens and capture the best moment to give the couple superb memories to look back on. It requires knowledge and experience and a degree of talent to be in the right place at the right moment with the right gear to get the shot.
Way too many people with a camera think wedding photography is a good earner and as long as they can give the couple some photos then they've earned their money. As a result they take over the wedding, directing and arranging things to make their life easy and things like using flash during a ceremony so that they don't have to concern themselves with the ambient light, the natural white balance and exposure etc.
What does this rant mean for wedding couples?
Now I agree that some couples may actually want a photographer to take over and direct their day. Ok their choice but I believe the fake style of photos they'll get is a sad alternative to the real, in the moment, documentary wedding photos that I believe comes from Good Wedding Photography.
Also the rise of things like Instagram and Pinterest has, and is, influencing peoples perception of what wedding photography should be.
Sadly it's being taken over by the "wedding photographers" who's aim is building their following rather than giving the couple astonishing photos of their wedding day. Their photos have a "style" rather than reflecting the couples actual wedding day.
I guess appreciation of the art of good wedding photography is on the decline like the art of good comedy was lost a couple of decades ago. My hope is that there'll always be a place for wedding photographers who value it as an artform; that clients will always exist who value the skill of these photographers and are willing to pay to get timeless. classic wedding photos, not the current move towards Instagram photos.
Rant over :-)