Making Lens Magic
Every couple, no matter how seemingly alike they are, have some differences that even their vows probably couldn’t bend. This is not necessarily a bad thing as individuality is very important in any relationship. It is getting into things you’re not comfortable with but is important to your betrothed that shows just how much you’re willing to support him or her. Besides, it’s good to get out of your comfort zone once in a while and step into somebody else’s shoes. Yes, just because! If you’re an about-to-be-wed couple, I’m pretty sure you’ve gone through the motions of arguing over when to have the wedding, how to decide which of the Orange County wedding venues to get married in, who to invite and even whether or not you’ll be getting a registry for your big day. Well, let me add on to that list by asking you this—have you chosen an Orange County wedding photographer yet? Whatever your answer is, I just want you to know that getting a photographer is more than just looking for whoever is available in your area, but more about the photography style you want to see in your wedding photos. If you haven’t given this much thought as of the moment, here’s a quick guide for you and your beloved to go through to help you choose the best way to capture your most treasured memories.
1. Artistic Wedding Photography
More than with any other profession, the portfolio of an Orange County wedding photographer is your best guide to getting to know your photographer in terms of his artistry, workmanship and personal investment in the craft. Artistic wedding photography is a hard style to define as it largely depends on a wedding photographer’s eye for detail, use of props and location and angles taken during the shoot. Some of the more common indicators of artistic photography however are use of color adjustments like sepia, black and white, vignetting or darkened corners, among others.
Browse through your photographer’s books and see how the photos speak to you or move you. Most great art doesn’t touch at an intellectual level but rather tug at heartstrings that nobody would come to expect. Getting married in Orange County California offers many opportunities to photograph the bride in her choice of beach wedding dresses.
2. Traditional Wedding Photography
Most brides and grooms would go through their parents’ wedding albums when they begin to plan their own Orange County weddings. There is a touching quality to something so vintage that makes it so real, like you’re there when the people who brought you to life exchanged vows, did their first dance, shared their cake as man and wife. The yellowed edges of the photos and the faded quality of the prints continue to emanate the love and happiness that were celebrated on that day.
Traditional wedding photography calls for arranged shots with specific groups invited to the wedding—families, friends, co-workers of the bride and groom. These traditional shots continue on from the church to the reception where the bride and groom go around every table to have their photos taken with the guests.
3. Candid or Documentary Style Photography
On your wedding day, your Orange County wedding photographer is your private paparazzi. Or maybe even a private investigator commissioned to take stolen shots of you and your guests. While he still aims to capture you in your best light, he will go around taking candid shots of the wedding to showcase every authentic emotion felt by everyone in the wedding party. Some couples go for this type of photography as it allows them to enjoy their day without worrying about posing for the camera at every turn. Others however are wary as they might be caught doing some awkward stuff, like the bride doing funny faces with her maid of honor to take the jitters away or the groom secretly stealing the ring from the ring bearer only to kiss it good luck.
This style calls for your Orange County wedding photographer to be totally hands-off with the ceremony and only working with the natural way of things and motion of activities.
4. Contemporary or Fashion-Style Photography
If you ever want to feel like a Victoria’s Secret Angel on your wedding day or Giselle Bundchen on the runway, then this photography style is for you. Your Orange County wedding photographer will have to research the most current trends in photography and come up with a series of images fit for a magazine spread. The two terms, contemporary and fashion, are used interchangeably as this is also largely dependent on how your photographer chooses to approach your Southern California wedding day.
Unlike artistic photography however, contemporary photography is usually done in full color with emphasis on the vibrance, personality and emotion in the photographs. It may be directed or candid, depending on how the photographer sees fit.
Wedding photography has come a long way from the traditional point and shoot approach. With the advancement in technology, both for taking photos and editing them, photographers have grown even more in experience and artistry. In choosing an Orange County wedding photographer, considering one’s wedding style is an important factor if you want to ensure that your photos turn out the way you envision them to.
For couples who are planning to have themed wedding, it is also best to go through the different styles in detail to make the photos more thematic. The style must coincide with the design of your photo book so that the feel of the photos are better enhanced and the emotions are conveyed at a deeper level. Given the work that it takes to make the basic shot list in accordance to the photography style you prefer, you will need to get to know at a more personal level your photographer to establish a great working relationship. You are both client and subject of the photographs and it is important for you to be comfortable with every step of the way.
As artists, photographers may choose to incorporate some photos in a different style. This is perfectly okay as long as the important ones are in the style you both have agreed too. Just be open to whatever surprises your shutterbug might have for you. You never know, you might just get a priceless photograph you would never have thought of, but would definitely cherish. Hello to happy problems!
by Kerry Johnson – Follow Kerry on G+!
