Wedding portraiture vs. photojournalism: what’s the difference?

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Wedding portraits and photojournalism are two distinct styles of wedding photography. Portraits are posed and focus on the aesthetic elements, while photojournalism captures candid moments. It’s important to choose a photographer based on the type of photos you want.

Wedding portraits and wedding photojournalism are two distinct styles of wedding photography. A wedding portrait photographer will focus on formal, posed shots of the bridal couple, wedding party and guests, while a wedding photojournalist will focus on capturing wedding events as they unfold before, during and after the ceremony.

Wedding portraits are posed and often represent an ideal of marriage. They often focus more on the bride and groom and the aesthetic elements of the wedding rather than what takes place during the event itself. Wedding photojournalism strives to document the actual wedding and what takes place. While the two styles of photography aren’t mutually exclusive, most photographers are experts in one or the other. Before choosing a photographer, it’s important to think about how you want to remember your wedding and the types of photos you want.

If your vision of wedding photography includes frames like the bride and groom looking at each other before a scorching sunset, or holding hands and looking together at a distant view, instead of your colorful aunt doubling over with laughter, then formal style wedding portraits might be for you. Formal wedding portraits can ensure that everyone looks their best in the photos and that everyone you want to include is present in the photos. A wedding portrait photographer will spend a lot of time posing romantic shots of the bride and groom and formal shots of the wedding party and the bride and groom’s families. Often wedding portraits are taken before the actual wedding and again during the event.

A wedding photojournalist will focus on documenting the event as it occurs. The photographer may start taking photos before the ceremony when the wedding party is getting ready, and will likely stay throughout the event to document it from start to finish. The wedding photojournalist will focus on candid photos of the bride, groom and guests that capture the emotions and tone of the ceremony and reception. One advantage of photojournalism-style wedding photography is that the photographer can capture a sense of how people experience marriage and the unwritten joy and exuberance that often accompany it. Most wedding photojournalists will be happy to take a few portraits of the wedding party, but will focus their lens where the action is.

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