As a studio owner I meet with a great majority of the couples who come in seeking what they think they want, in terms of wedding day photography. Some brides and grooms have a clear understanding of the difference between, traditional posed photography and photojournalistic, unopposed photography.
While I believe both should be used to effectively capture a wedding, it is important to try to identify the difference, between the two styles, so that each couple can manage their own expectations, when the book one style or another.
Non-traditional shots, are not photojournalistic shots, they are posed shots, set up to appear spontaneous.
Shots with back lighting, can make for a unique silhouette image or a fisheye lens can offer a different perspective on an otherwise ordinary shot however, those are not photojournalistic images.
When a couple ask for a photographer who specializes in strictly photojournalistic style pf photography, the couple should not expect the photographer to adhere to a shot list, or be bound by the normal wedding format. The photojournalist photographer, captures your wedding as it happens, without a shot list or a script of any kind. The Story of your wedding is told through the eye of the photographer.
With a traditional photographer, you can be assured that a shot list will be used and you may hear a few "hold it...Hold it.." from the photographer, as he or she frames the perfect shot.
Most brides and grooms, expect to have photographs of the bride and groom with their family members and bridal party, and for that reason, we believe that most couples, benefit from a combination of both styles, with 20-25% traditional and 75-80% photojournalistic.
I am sure that many brides and photographers may have a different point of view and I welcome your comments and feedback at info@abacuswedding.com.
Maybe we can even do a poll on the three styles, traditional, photojournalistic and both. E-Mail us at info@abacuswedding.com .