Wedding Photography - Focus on Results!

I have noticed a trend recently in wedding photographer's web pages of trying to clear up the confusion over the various styles of wedding photography. New names have emerged for these styles: Documentary, Illustrative, Fine Art, Classic, Contemporary, the now familiar Photojournalism and of course Traditional. Also we now hear photographers talking at length about how they only shoot weddings using "available light" and promise you that they won't use flash

The other hot topic is the discussion of the benefits of various types of camera equipment: The advantages of full frame cameras, or is Nikon better than Canon, etc. Much of this information has been posted to supposedly help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of all these approaches. However, when you read further, you often see that there is a slant towards the equipment or style used by that particular photographer. We recently read a web page where the photographer warned the reader to beware of wedding photographer's who still shoot weddings using the traditional approach because it obviously means that they are using outdated equipment. Huh? So what does all this tell you? The answer: Nothing!

I recently attended a seminar by one of the leading wedding photographers in the country. Her input on this subject was enlightening. Although she, herself used digital capture and some film, she emphasized that what really matters is how the photographs look. Do they have impact? Do they tell the story of the day? She went on to say that she is growing tired of other photographers always asking her what type of camera she uses or what the benefits are of digital over film, etc, etc. "Lets talk about the photographs!" she exclaimed. She talked about how lucky we are in this era to have access to such great equipment and that even some of the lowest cost equipment can be used to make beautiful images.

I could not agree more.  What really matters is the end result - your wedding album. 25 years after your wedding you are not going to care if your wedding photographer used a $10,000 camera or a Kodak disposable camera. Will you remember if you hired a photojournalist or an illustrative photographer? Probably not. Its the photos that you will remember and cherish. I do use some of the most modern and up to date camera equipment, but I am not obsessed with it. I spend more of my time trying to figure out how to make the most memorable and artistic images possible. This is not accomplished by simply going out and purchasing a $1,800 lens that is so sharp that it practically allows you to see the pores on your subject's face. Sharp, high quality lenses are important, but it is what the photographer does with them that matters. Find a photographer who talks about the images and not about how great his equipment is.

However, there are other factors important when choosing a wedding photographer. Developing rapport with your photographer is vital. A rude or bossy photographer can ruin a wedding for both the bride and groom. Look for photographers you are comfortable talking to. Make sure they can give you references and when you check those references ask how the photographer behaved at the wedding. Did he or she spend a lot of time eating food and drinking alcohol? Did he or she get along well with the guests? Calm Demeanor? Unobtrusive? Obviously, you want to make sure the photos are great, but these other factors can make or break your wedding photography experience.