The traditional wedding photography style is based on posed photos. It requires the photographer to know about the poses that are beneficial for the models and to be able to put the couple in the right, relaxed mood. The ability to find a suitable location is also important, as an interesting location can often be very attractive for tourists. The traditional approach is most commonly used today in outdoor wedding sessions.
The reportage style is modelled on the classic reportage photography, which was represented, among others, by Henri Cartier-Bresson. In terms of reporting, a discreet approach is important, the photographer should be almost invisible to his/her clients, guests and ceremony leaders. The result is to be the story of the wedding day, not only the predictable moments during the wedding are photographed (the couple entering the church, putting on rings, etc.), but also sincere moments, talking guests, important details (clothing, invitations, fragments of the wedding or wedding venue décor, e.t.c.). Some purists of the reportage style even refuse to use flash lamps in order not to attract attention and preserve the authenticity of human behaviour.
The fashion (editorial) style has its origins in fashion photography. It is characterized by a strong emphasis on creative steam pose and often additional, artificial lighting using flash lamps or video lamps. The result is photos that are ideal for the cover of a wedding fashion magazine. The style used for outdoor photography.
Wedding photos as a product
After the service, the wedding photographer provides the couple with photos in the form of:
digital products, they include jpg files (often in the highest resolution for a given camera) usually placed on a DVD or recorded on a USB flash drive, photos in the form of an internet gallery, the so-called the slideshow
photos in physical form: these are usually medium-sized prints, sent separately or pasted into a photo album, photobooks (cheaper technology, digitally printed), photo albums (thick, stiff cards, they can be unfolded flat, exposed to photosensitive silver paper – exactly as it is supposed to this is the case with prints).
The profession of a wedding photographer
Starting work as a wedding photographer is not limited by any professional licenses, and there is no need to pass exams to check the photographer’s knowledge. In Poland, the only documents needed to photograph weddings are ID cards issued by individual couriers on different terms and different periods, usually preceded by a course conducted by priests. During these classes, knowledge about the photographer’s behavior is transferred when photographing celebrations taking place in the church (weddings, baptisms, communions, etc.). The main barriers to entry into the profession are the price of professional equipment, the competitive market and the seasonality of a wedding photographer’s work. This profession has enjoyed steadily growing popularity for several years, despite the enormous competition in the wedding photographer market in most countries and despite declining income. According to professionals dealing with the subject of wedding photography (e.g. Jim Pickerell), this trend will continue in the future, and the profession of a wedding photographer will soon be taken up mainly by people who already have another job and will treat the income from photography as an addition to their main source of income.