Using Wedding Photojournalism to Document Your Special Day

If you're looking for a unique way to document yourMany engaged couples feel that wedding
special day, wedding photojournalism might be a goodphotojournalism captures the big day in a more
option for you.realistic way. They also prefer the low-key approach
Photojournalistic wedding photography is more thanof the photojournalistic style, feeling that the
just a video of the wedding; it's a personalphotographer should document what actually happens
documentary that chronicles the events of the dayrather than faking events for the photographic
just for you.effect.
In the timeless (traditional) style of marriageWedding photojournalism does have its own
photography, the photographer plays a very activedownside, however. Since there is no shot list, it is
role. He or she orchestrates virtually the entire eventpossible that key relatives or friends will inadvertently
according to a preplanned shot list.be left out of the photos. The photographer's
Every photo is carefully posed. Depending on theinstincts must be top notch as he or she decides
length of time for which he or she is hired, some ofwhat to cover during the busy reception.
your most personal marriage moments, such asAmbient rather than photographic lighting will generally
cutting the cake or throwing the bouquet, may havebe used, which can lead to some less than perfect
to be re-enacted or faked for the camera.photographs. Finally, your album will contain no
The focus of the timeless style, as opposed totraditional posed photos.
wedding photojournalism, is on creating perfectlySome parents feel that their child's marriage album is
posed portraits for the marriage album. Photo timeincomplete without some traditional photos. You, too,
normally takes place between the ceremony and themay regret the lack of posed photos one day.
reception and can take up to two hours. This is aMany photographers have begun to incorporate the
long time to leave guests standing around waiting forbest of both worlds. Couples may go to the
something to happen.photography studio a day or two before the
There are a few major advantages to timelessceremony for a posed wedding photography portrait.
marriage photography. Since the shot list isBefore or after the ceremony, they might pose for a
preplanned, couples can be sure that no event orshort list of the photographs they most want. The
family member is left out. The posed photos alsorest of the time, however, their day will be captured
look beautiful in a marriage album, creating a classicthrough wedding photojournalism.
memento of the big day.This blending of styles ensures that no one is
Photojournalistic wedding photography takes theinadvertently left out of the photographs and gives
opposite approach to the timeless style. Rather thanmore traditional family members the proper marriage
posed photographs, the emphasis is on candidalbum shots.
photography. The photographer takes a much moreYet it dramatically shortens the posed photography
passive role, capturing the day as it unfolds naturallysession and allows the couple to see candid photos
rather than directing the show.of what actually happened on their special day.