WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: A PHOTOGRAPHER’S PERSPECTIVE
Charlotte Davies
Weddings are a unique photographic niche, and arguably the most crucial shoots a photographer will ever be commissioned for! At the core of every wedding is the celebration of a partnership, attended by the couple’s friends and family. Even more so after the effects of Covid, weddings are one of few events that cause all these people to come together. Therefore, from my point of view, whilst the photographs should be technically excellent, our number one priority should be to capture the raw emotion of the day. The balance between technical prowess, detail documentation and spontaneous creative captures, is a delicate one. After all, wedding photographers must wear multiple hats. A picture paints a thousand words, and the story of the couple getting married will be told through their wedding photos for years to come.
Photographers then face a dilemma. Wearing the storyteller hat too much and getting too caught up in the situation itself can cause our focus on our camera settings to slip. But wearing the photographer hat too long can leave us fixated too much on the camera settings and leave us blind to heartfelt moments that are happening right in front of us. To complicate things further, the ‘happy balance’ the photographer has between storyteller and photographer is one that is unique to each couple, depending what they are looking for. Some are fairly utilitarian, insisting you are only required for the ‘important’ shots - but no couple has ever been anything but grateful when I deliver surplus candids. On the other hand, some couples have a five year old Pinterest board and want you to try to nail as many candids as possible. Both ends of the spectrum are fine, and the key is setting expectations.
So how do we do this? Many couples opt to have a pre-wedding shoot, where they meet their potential photographer, get to know their style of working, and experience what it is like being photographed by them. I always offer these shoots to my couples. Trying each other out and having a positive in-person experience makes all the difference in ensuring a smooth wedding day. In the spirit of telling the couples’ story, and delivering meaningful images, there are three key pillars I focus on, whether it is an engagement shoot, a small reception, a full day wedding or an anniversary shoot. These all obviously go hand in hand, but they each require individual attention to ensure the final gallery encompasses each aspect.
The first is connection - the chemistry - why these two people are here tying the knot in the first place. When I direct couples for these types of shots, I like to make it feel as serious as possible. The more serious I can make this part feel, the more frequently I tip the balance into silly-serious, get a laugh and capture a meaningful look between the couple that says, this is silly - but I am so glad that I am doing it with you.
The second is detail - the ring passed down by Grandma, a buttonhole made from Mum’s favourite flowers. I always include questions in my pre-booking questionnaire that ensure I’m on top of all the meaningful details. The third is personality - who are these people? What do they value, and how can I style the photos to reflect this? My pre-wedding questionnaire asks each person what their favourite thing about the other person is, and I then work to tie that into the shoot.
So, to couples and photographers alike: always have a pre-wedding shoot of some kind to try each other out. Or at the very least, arrange to have a Zoom call with each other. Set clear expectations in writing - identify them and make sure you communicate that to your photographer. They will love to hear it and it truly does improve the chances of capturing those moments that will be treasured forever. The success of the final gallery of photos depends on that collaboration - so make it a good one!
Visit Charlotte's website for bookings: www.charelisemedia.com
This article first appeared in PRISMA, Issue 6.