Style in Wedding Photography

My website was originally named One Perfect Moment and that for me, encapsulated the ideal that I strive for with photography – capturing essential and distinctive moments. It derives from the idea of the ‘Decisive Moment’ in photography where everything just falls perfectly into place. Hence … One Perfect Moment.

Spontaneity, genuine expressions and gestures, the things that make each bride and groom individual – these are things which I continually hone in on when photographing a wedding or engagement session. Even when I’m working with the couple, perhaps even directing them a little, I am still looking for something real – something uniquely ‘them’, as we collaborate in getting wonderful images of their wedding.

There is a strong sense of story-telling in my photography. However, I’m not particularly purist about the idea of ‘photojournalism’ in wedding photography. I do interact with people and especially during the portrait session I might direct the bride and groom – all in an effort to give my couples the best wedding photographs I can.

In that way, the portrait session with the bride and groom becomes a collaborative experience. Staying away from cheesy grins for the camera, we look for images that show spontaneity and expressions. The real thing.

What I find are those genuine moments where the bride and groom interact with each other .. and that’s what I give back to them in the photographs I show them. Whether it is a found moment or a gesture.

During the romantic portrait session, I try for a natural approach. I do want my couples to appear relaxed and look like themselves. To this end, I “take myself out of the picture”, by using a longer lens and have them talk to each other, cuddle, walk and just be together. This will definitely help with any nervousness in front of the camera – and give portraits which appear casual and relaxed.

This portrait from Simone and Damien’s wedding was taken in the late afternoon. The maitre d’ of the venue suggested I use the fountain as a backdrop for the couple – the same fountain that every other photographer uses as a backdrop for every other couple who gets married there.

Instead, I looked at where the light was coming from … and it was stunningly beautiful glowing light. And the best was, the spray from the fountain was lit up by the glow from the late afternoon sun. This created that ethereal looking golden mist behind them.

Looking for and using great light, and looking for a beautiful backdrop to place the couple in context … is so much better than photographing them against unconnected objects in the landscape, whether a random fountain or gazebo. Wedding portraits should be about romance, and not the gazebo. Indeed, we need more cowbell, less gazebo!

If you’re curious to see more, my blog shows more specific examples of my style in wedding photography.

photography books written by Neil vN