What Makes Great Wedding Photojournalism?

What makes great wedding photojournalism? Toweddings on the weekends to supplement their
answer that question you need to consider what isincome. Now, a new generation of photographers
photojournalism? It's the process of documentinghave grown up and many meet every March in
events with a camera without controlling or affectingVegas at the WPPI-Wedding Portrait Photographers
the situation.International. In recent years the Australians and the
Henri Cartier Bresson-one of the fathers ofBritish have been among recent top favorites.
photojournalism coined the phrase "the decisiveMeeting the photographer/studio. First impressions
moment" and this essentially means capturing theare very important. Is the photographer your
peak moment within a situation.interviewing on time? Is he/she presented well?
History: Where did Photojournalism come from? HenriExpect to pay a minimum of $2000 and up depending
Cartier Bresson in the 1930's began documentingon the experience and quality of the photographer.
European society with a Leica camera. The cool thingBe wary of larger studios, as you may not have the
about the Leica unlike many cameras at the timephotographer you want photographing the
was its small size was and it's quietness. This allowedwedding-be sure it's noted in the contract. Look
Henri to get in close without being noticed. Leica isthrough the different photographers work. The same
world renowned and is used by many of the greatapplies for solo photographers-be sure that any
photographers today. The results of thisassistants used if included will not be the only
documentary photography; a beauty and integrityphotographer. On that note, make sure you get a
that is timeless and priceless to this day. Weddingcontract and read it. Every state is different, but
photojournalism takes the same skills and philosophyusually sales tax is added on to the final payment-tax
and applies it to today. This is in contrast to theis applicable not just on the products but on the
traditional style of photography I was bought up onservice as well-it's the law. Look for qualifications or
and trained under.associated with organizations-are they members of
Rather than organizing people and fabricatingthe Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA),
situations the wedding photojournalist relies upon hisWedding Portrait Photographers International (WPPI)
skills to capture the moments that go unnoticed in anor Professional Photographers Association (PPA)? Ask
unobtrusive manner. The ability to see events andto see their work, portfolios, and sample albums. Be
stories unfolding and capture those events in awary of those who don't have any. Ask for referrals.
unobtrusive manner come together to form a seriesReferrals have and continue to be one of the single
of images that reveal seemingly simple yet complexlargest sources of revenue for photographers today.
images.So, this brings me to the conclusion of this article.
There are many great photojournalists. Among myAbove all, the couple can be themselves, forgetting
favorite modern day photographers is Georgeabout the camera and photography. They get to
Trifunovic, a Melbourne, Australian photographer. He isconcentrate on their event, their families and friends.
the true modern day photojournalist.It's not the photographer's time but the bride and
Others from the last century are Robert Doisneau,grooms. The images will have a timeless look to
Ronis and as we previously mentioned Bresson. Manythem. Documentary images retain their freshness
of the current styles in the USA have been adoptedforever. There are no misconceptions, the bride and
from Europe and Australia, when many out of workgroom are under no false pretensions and they know
news photojournalists in the 90s started shootingthey will get a genuine representation of their day.