To Pose or not to Pose? A Vancouver Wedding Photographer Dishes the Dirt

Not your Grandmother’s Wedding Photos!

Ah, sweet Spring. With this lovely season of renewal nearly upon us, you can be sure of one thing: the wedding season is nearly upon us as well. The wedding season is a time like no other. Churches are booked solid every weekend, madly grinning wedding parties run through city parks and drive in decorated parades down the main streets. Love is in the air, and with it, the dreams and expectations of countless couples on the brink of beginning their married lives together.

Most young girls have dreamt about what their wedding will one day look like, but interestingly in our modern times that day dream image is beginning to evolve. Not long ago, most weddings looked somewhat similar, they all held standard elements: the beautiful blushing bride, the gorgeous cake, the cute flower girl, the white wedding dress and those classic posed photographs.

Today, things are beginning to change. While tradition is still embraced at weddings, certain elements (photography for one) are being used in new ways. Today’s bride has a choice between two very distinct approaches to photography: traditional or photojournalism.

Traditional Wedding Photography

In the traditional or classic style of wedding photography, the photographer will concentrate most of their effort on posed portraits of family, wedding party and bride and groom. They will be the director of a wedding during photo time: they’ll be meticulous in their set up, making sure everything is just so and that everyone looks their best. The quality of these posed portraits is judged by factors such as lighting, background, sharpness and correct skin tones. The traditional wedding photographer often works with an assistant and requires fairly elaborate lighting setups.

Photojournalism Wedding Photography

In the photojournalistic or modern style of wedding photography, the photographer concentrates on capturing candid moments from an "outsider-looking-in" perspective. These pictures are meant to express the feelings and emotions of the day. Photos will feature scenes that might otherwise go unrecorded, for example a ring bearer and flower girl whispering to one another or a twirling bride during her first dance.

According to photojournalist wedding photographer Andreas Weiss of Doubletake Wedding Photography, "A good photojournalist will incorporate interesting angles, lighting and framing into their work. A really great photojournalist will bring a spark of imagination and art to the photos. When you look at the pictures you’ll feel that you’re really experiencing that moment again."

Why Photojournalism?

The popularity of photojournalism at Canadian weddings has skyrocketed in the last decade. Wedding and event planner Carly Saffon believes this is because today’s generation of 20 to 30-somethings are more demanding observers who are used to the glitz and glamour Hollywood brings to the big screen. "A simple posed photograph—while nice—just doesn’t cut it anymore when it come s to wedding photography. Brides want to look as stunning as their favorite move star and they want to remember the events of the day as they truly happened. When people say a picture is worth a thousand words, they’re referring to a picture that has real impact, something real and something beautiful. That’s what wedding photojournalism is all about."

Saffon claims that at least two thirds of her clients prefer the photojournalistic approach or a combination of traditional and photojournalism. "The beauty is that you can easily have both styles incorporated into your package. The photographer can take those classic posed shots before the ceremony and then blend into the background and take the more candid shots during the events that follow. It’s really win-win."

According to photographer Weiss, working in the photojournalistic style is very rewarding. "From an artists perspective it is the ultimate job. I get to experience my client’s weddings as a quiet background observer and this allows me to really soak in the emotion and the impact of the day. By carefully watching and observing the day’s events I get to quietly showcase those symbolic moments that really display what the day is all about—love, deep mad and passionate. My work in weddings has shown me that people truly do love madly and to be able to record that is the greatest privilege."

If you are getting married and aren’t sure what style of photography best suits your style, meet with a few photographers and view their sample work. You’ll know right away when you see a genre that catches your eye, and in this case it’s best to go with your gut—get the pictures that will make you happy; these keepsakes will be part of your family for generations to come.