History of Wedding Photography

Wedding photography is very much part and parcelof the photographer's studio.
of the modern couple's couple big day.By the early years of the twentieth century colour
Soon-to-be-married couples are willing to spend smallphotography was available, but for at least the next
fortunes in order to have a beautiful wedding album.50 years it was far too expensive and unreliable to
But wedding photography is not a new phenomenonbe used for all but the most exclusive wedding
as even the Victorians also liked having picturesphotography. The development of the film roll, better
taken of their wedding days.lighting and the introduction of flash photography led
Wedding photography dates back to the 1840s.to a change in the whole concept of wedding
Because photography was only in its infancy therephotography. Instead of the standard picture of the
were serious technical limitations on the kind ofbride and groom, the scope was extended to include
pictures that could be taken. There were none ofphotographs from the wedding service and the
the pictures taken outside that are popular today.reception. This meant that the traditional wedding
The photos were not even taken at the church or inphotographer could no longer rely on couples coming
the reception. The happy couple had to pose, beforeto him to have their wedding photos taken, he had
or after the event, in the photographers studio. Theyto be prepared to give up a few hours and go to
wore their best clothes for the shoot, which meantthe wedding itself.
no pictures of the bridal gown. Also, the idea of aPhotographic equipment remained bulky, with off the
wedding photograph was only the preserve of thecuff, candid photographs impossible to take. Even
better off during this period.photos from the period which appear to be candid
Some twenty years later, during the 1860s, coupleshad, in reality, being posed. But, by the 1970s we
had started posing in their actual wedding clothes,saw wedding photography becoming more like it is
which meant there would be a record of the bride intoday, with pictures taken throughout the happy
her beautiful white wedding gown. Also during thiscouple's big day.
period some couples were hiring a photographer toThe advance of technology, with the advent of the
actually come to the church to take a formal photo.digital camera, has seen wedding photograph develop
But because cameras and photography equipment atfurther and couples can bring the whole day even
this time was very bulky, and not easily portable,more alive with a DVD movie of the event.
most wedding photography remained the preserve