What is "Wedding Photojournalism?"

(Updated 8.10.05) There has been a lot of debate over the proper use of the term "wedding photojournalism." The term became popular about a decade ago, when brides began to show a preference for photographers whose style broke from the "traditional" posed, soft-focus portrait-laden approach we identify with the '70s and '80s.

The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) is a highly-regarded organization whose member portfolios are weighted toward the skillfully-anticipated candid rather the posed or otherwise directed portraits and action shots. Many WPJA members are working news photographers, often with decades of experience (and instinct-building opportunities) under their belts. This organization is an excellent resource for couples who want their images to convey their event as it really happened, from the perspective of somebody on the outside looking in. A client seeking a true wedding photojournalist knows that requesting more than a very few posed "formal" portraits is keeping her photographer from doing what she does best: capturing the natural progress of the day. Nor is it the true photojournalist's mission to make the bride and her guests look glamourous with the lens and with Photoshop, or to coax the entire wedding party into a tree for that exceptional shot. Your day should be, by default, exceptional--it's your wedding day--you don't have to climb trees to make it better.

On the far end of the spectrum, you'll find photographers whose specialty is elaborately-lit, grandly arranged portraits. While any wedding photographer may bring remote or studio lighting, the traditional wedding photographer typically outgears the rest of the pack. I've worked with talented pros from this genre who often bring more assistants than the bride has attendants. While many of the "modern traditional" photographers have backed off the soft-focus, you'll still find plenty of special effects in your final album--which, according to tradition, is likely to be the type containing high-quality retouched photographic prints mounted in window mats, and bound in luxurious leather covers.

The traditional photographer--or even your advertised "wedding photojournalist" may offer a second "candid" photographer, but be aware that this second shooter may simply be photographing your guests reacting to the camera.

Somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, you'll find the thousands of photographers who borrow a little from each school--including me. (I'd be thrilled to shoot a bride in a tree, but I'm not going to create Rembrant-style portrait sets in the reception hall) Ultimately, it's up to you to ask the right questions to find out what style your chosen photographer adopts.

I created The Wedding Photojournalistto educate brides and grooms about the business of wedding photography so they have a better understanding of pricing, album selection, photography styles and making the most of their photographer's talents. And oh, yeah...to give a little more insight into what life is like this side of the lens.