Why Your Photos Should Be So Much More
I am always intrigued with how many couples have trouble identifying what kind of photos or video they really want on their wedding day. “I’ve never had a good picture” is what they may say, or “I’m no good at smiling”, that kind of thing. These types of self-doubts can be paralyzing, but you must remember that as a people photographer who is capturing your unique love story, I see and hear this all the time – and it’s my specialty to make sure any photos or video bring out the best in you when it matters most.
In the old world of wedding photography, the photographer just aimed the camera to create the same formal shots at each wedding in a repeatable and safe format. If you look at your parent’s wedding photos, they may look like that. Formal wedding images can look nice enough when done well but they may convey almost nothing about the people in them. What is this love story and how do the images convey that? Eventually, some photographers realized that the shots they took randomly in-between the formal photos would generate greater interest, both visually and emotionally thus adding to the fabric of the wedding day narrative. In fact, those shots and others that capture the details of your day are crucial to retelling your love story. As technology in cameras improved alongside this shift, photographers started taking more and more photos during a wedding and they became more mobile as they ditched the tripods. Attention started to move away from just the married couple and family to all other parts of the wedding day in new creative ways.
If you’re not comfortable with a camera aimed at you, the thought of having photos all day long might sound scary, I get that. What I hear is most important to couples on their wedding day is the freedom to just be themselves and enjoy photography that is free flowing and integrated. What you don’t want is a photographer who is just there to take pictures but has little experience in the storytelling process. Anyone can take a photo, not everyone can do it in a way that evokes the emotion of the day. You really need to know who you are dealing with and why you’re handing that permission and trust over to them.
What I’d like you to remember is that a professional wedding photographer or videographer who truly loves their craft will partner with you in the storytelling process. Once you find the right person with these skills and a style that reflects your day you won’t hesitate to partner with them for your wedding day experience.
Dan