There are several distinctly different styles of photography that are commonly

used to capture the emotion and memories of your wedding day. From

traditional – posed and proper, to candid – casually posed, to photojournalistic

– pure and in the moment, and fine art – a unique blend of each of these

photographic styles that is very specific to the individual photographer.

Depending on your personal style and the results you wish to achieve,

choosing the form in which your memories will be captured can be significant.

Following is a glimpse at the differences in these styles.

When using a traditional style there is a high degree of control in the

positioning, lighting, and framing of the subjects. These are the most familiar

and can project a bit of nostalgia in the right album setting. In many cases

several slight variations of the posing and lighting are captured by the

photographer. Candids are one step removed in the level of formality, but

lighting can still be controlled and most times there are ample opportunities to

capture several images to assure the desired result is achieved. These are a

great way to capture special moments and still maintain the group settings for

the bridal party and family. The vast majority of wedding and portrait

photographers are proficient in one or both of these styles that combined or

alone, can produce excellent high-style, glamour, or storybook style albums.

The most talked about but least understood style, by photographers and

clients alike, by far is photojournalism. In its true and purest form the

photographer captures the moments and memories of your day without the

benefit of posing the subjects, or being able to take it over again. The

moment is there and it passes, just as in the course of everyday life and as

portrayed in the press. Photojournalism, it is the most emotional and realistic

of all the photographic styles. Most times confusion arises when candid

photography is confused with photojournalism. Although it is somewhat

common to combine these two styles to achieve the desired results, the

images captured by the two bare little resemblance to each other in the

printed form. Also rare is a photographer that is uniquely adept at each of

these styles. The technical training and “eye” required to achieve the right

framing and timing are more diverse in comparing candid to photojournalism

then to compare traditional to candid styles. The candid and photojournalistic

styles, combined or alone, can produce excellent glamour, storybook, or

contemporary albums.

More far reaching in theme and style is fine art photography. This style is set

apart from all other styles by its masterful blend of traditional, candid, and

photojournalistic genres. This is a very individualized photographic style that

varies widely from photographer to photographer and transcends the barriers

that can be projected by other styles. Fine art also incorporates a beneficial

blend of post production graphic design to create magazine style wedding

storybook albums that mimic the likes of Life or Time. The most discerning of

bridal couples are choosing fine art photography to create memorable,

individualized and unique albums. Even rarer than the photographer that can

switch from candid to photojournalistic modes with ease, is the photographer

that combines these with traditional styling to bring fine art imagery to the

lens and produce photographic “paintings”. Fine art truly sets a couple apart

from the rest of the world, and sets in motion - a view of art and images.