Photography Styles. Explained..... finally.
I know, it's confusing and hard to know what is what and where you gravitate to with so many images out there. I am here for you and will help break it down so you can clarify what you want and then go and get it!
When it comes to choosing your wedding or portrait photographer before you even begin searching you will want to know just how you want your wedding or portrait to be photographed, what kind of emotion you want captured, tones you love, access how comfortable you are in front of the camera etc.... Each photographer will specialize in a specific style so knowing what style you prefer can make finding a photographer a little easier. For me, hashing out styles, your story and learning what my clients gravitate to is essential to be excellent at what I do. I want the final product to be a collaboration and for you to have ownership in the end jaw dropping result. Even if you are not sure what style you love, I will help you by showing examples and crafting a concept long before the shoot date. Most photography will fall into one of these 5 styles and often the style can intersect and merge and fall into a couple of categories depending on how you look at them.
Classic or Traditional
These are what I call "old faithful." When you choose a classic style the results are images that stand the test of time. These are traditional black & white and clean true-to-life color images, carefully posed and meticulously planned out. Most often the photographer with this style specializes in capturing ordinary moments in a beautiful and elegant way. This style tends to be a bit more formal but can always be given a modern twist. I always do some of these even though traditional is not my style knowing they will live past our own lives and be a historical documentation of the day or what grandma loves the most. I think they are not only important, but imperative to include in every gallery. People are afraid of the word traditional (thinking of what our mothers did), but trust that you need clean images that are classic that will stand any test of time and does not mean it has to be boring. Own that we all need this! IN EVERY SESSION! EVERY ONE! Get it done, then get creative is my motto!
Artistic & Dramatic
If you want something that is more personal for you then an artistic or dramatic style may be your ideal choice. These style of images tend to capture unique, special moments and tend to utilize a lot more of the space around the couple instead of just capturing the couple full frame and up close. If you are open and willing to have a bit of fun with your photographer you will be amazed by the results. While all styles will use different types of lighting, artistic and dramatic images make it a key component. This style will showcase a variety of different lighting techniques that the photographer has mastered to create truly breathtaking portraits. I call these the POWER SHOT! We plan for it and often is the sunset shot, night shot or creative veil awesomeness. These can easily start to blend and merge with Fashion editorial and can be easily confused however they are different in the amount of direction that is given and the fine tuning and controlling of light. If I don't have one of these in every session or wedding I have to admit I go home a little bummed. When you have spent years learning and pushing the boundaries of your craft to have clients allow you the creative freedom to knock it out of the park and use those gifts..... fills your creative soul and is a win-win and for me keeps me passionate about my art. No shoot should or would only be this style and is usually towards the end of the wedding day or session. Trust that you hired and artist, and that artist will do whatever it takes to turn you into art.
Fashion Editorial (also called Lifestyle)
Editorial (usually called lifestyle in the Midwest) is a type of photojournalism photography with a bit of a modern twist. Most images will appear to be candid, and most often they are. This style is a mix of candid that are merged with images with direction and staging to get the perfect shot. They can be both close-up or far away. There is a misconception that fashion editorial is super posed and glam and has become a bit of a sales tactic with newbie photographers. In reality, it is authentic and natural and simply well shot. What sets this style apart is the direction and cues given that help create the space to feel "real" within the scene, light or moment to create the most powerful and aesthetically pleasing results. These images can use dramatic lighting and be artistic like the style above but have a much more candor and natural posing. This is my jammy jam and for clients that feel uncomfortable having their picture taken yet want natural shots, this is the best fit. It offers direction and requires the mastery of their photographers craft yet is seeped in rich emotion and quality compositions. To make it more clear lets get to the roots.....This style was created for magazines to illustrate an editorial article. They needed to be congruent with the magazines overall tone, yet true to life and tell a story. Much like in a magazine, they can be used to tell YOUR story in a way that’s magazine quality flattering without the loss of emotion or authenticity. Trusting a photographer with this style is critical if you want results as they are giving you cues and direction and to only put you in the best possible light, allowing you to be in that space.
Documentary
This style tends to be more dominant in weddings versus portrait photography. If you are not into the traditional posing or styling of shots, then a documentary wedding photographer is probably one you will want to consider. The documentary style focuses on candid and spontaneous images that truly capture the entire essence of your wedding day or session exactly as it is. They will not clean a room, move things off a table, hang the dress anywhere it is not hanging currently, coach and will not direct if you are not looking your best or fix a strap if it fell. They are simply there to document what is happening without any interruption. If you want those styled getting ready images or perfectly lit family portraits you will need to know what to do so that you can make that happen on your own without direction if you go this direction.
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