| Times have certainly changed in the field of wedding | | | | wedding photography. It does make candid shots |
| photography. If you look at old pictures from the | | | | much easier, because the photographer can snap |
| 1920s, you will see the newlyweds in stiff unsmiling | | | | away without worrying about wasting film. Also, they |
| poses. You may wonder why they do not look | | | | will know instantly if an image does not look good, so |
| happier in their bridal portraits; the reason has nothing | | | | they can re-take it right away. The other advantage |
| to do with the marriage - it is because they had to | | | | to digital photography is that the photographer can |
| hold the pose for the duration of a very long | | | | very easily switch between color and black and white |
| exposure time. (If you've ever waited while your dad | | | | pictures (back in the days of film, this required two |
| fiddles with the camera for a group shot, you know | | | | cameras - imagine!). |
| how hard it is to hold a smile for long.) As technology | | | | Whether you opt for more classic wedding |
| has changed, so has wedding photography. | | | | photographs or a more candid style, make sure to |
| The evolution from the early stiff portraits certainly | | | | give your photographer a comprehensive list of the |
| included more shots of the happy couple, but most | | | | images that you want. Do not assume that they will |
| images were still posed. To some extent, this is still | | | | know which groupings or moments are most |
| the case - think of all those group portraits taken by | | | | important to you. It is also nice to capture some of |
| wedding photographers ("Okay, Aunt Matilda, shift a | | | | the unique details of your wedding for posterity. |
| little to your left..."). Today there is a strong trend | | | | Before my wedding, I thought it would be great to |
| away from traditional wedding portraits in favor of | | | | have a picture me sitting on the floor with my gown |
| more candid shots. | | | | spread out around me. Because I did not request this |
| The type of photography you will have at your | | | | pose in advance, it never happened (naturally, I |
| wedding depends on a combination of your | | | | forgot all about it on the day of the wedding). If you |
| preference and the photographer's forte. Carefully | | | | ordered very special custom bridal jewelry, you might |
| review his sample albums to be sure that your ideas | | | | want some close up images of it for your album. But |
| are similar. If page after page shows traditional | | | | don't expect your photographer to ask you if you will |
| staged shots, then don't assume that the | | | | want him to photograph your custom bridal jewelry, |
| photographer will give you great candids just because | | | | the embroidery on your veil, or the like. It is up to |
| you request them - it may be that he is not great at | | | | the bride and groom to make it happen. |
| capturing moments on the fly. On the other hand, if | | | | As you try to balance out the number of pre-planned |
| it is important to you to have a lot of pictures of | | | | photographs with the number of candid shots, keep |
| specific people, then you might want a photographer | | | | in mind that you will end up with about a zillion |
| who is more adept at classic wedding portraiture. | | | | pictures from other sources. Between your table |
| In addition to viewing samples, ask your | | | | cameras and the pictures taken by your friends and |
| photographer about her background and equipment. | | | | relatives, you are going to end up with a lot of fun |
| One of the most talented wedding photographers I | | | | candid pictures (of course, they may not be the |
| ever met also did sports photography for the U.S. Ski | | | | same quality as the professional photos). Whether |
| Team - you better believe that she was great at | | | | you end up wanting more traditional or more |
| getting that split second shot. And she was also | | | | spontaneous photos in your wedding album is entirely |
| skilled at taking pictures from unusual angles, so her | | | | up to you, but be sure to clearly convey your wishes |
| wedding albums definitely had a distinctive offbeat | | | | to your photographer. After all, you do not get a |
| style. | | | | second chance at your wedding pictures. |
| Digital photography has had a huge impact on | | | | |