I’ve finally come up with an answer to one of the most common questions that I receive from potential wedding clients: what kind of photography do you do?
I have a hard time classifying my wedding photography. I have many influences, and I adapt my approach to various situations and client requests. So, I’ve decided to coin a new term and call myself a fusion wedding photographer.
The best way to explain this is to look at a few images. The first image is from a pre-wedding shoot at LaJolla, Cal. It’s clear that this is a set up, posed photograph, yet it has a lot of impact because of the setting, night sky, and lighting on the couple.
The next image is from the same shoot. I’m guessing many viewers would classify this as photojournalism. But I would call this a semi-directed photograph. I placed them in an appealing setting, then asked them to walk with Andy a half-step in front. Walking with the couple and shooting from the hip created this spontaneous, joyous looking image. By placing couples in situations and using limited direction, we can create candid, memorable images.
The last image is definitely photojournalism. In the final minutes before the ceremony, mom and bride shared a brief, powerful moment that speaks of their relationship and the anticipation of a beautiful wedding day. In this situation, I’m totally behind the scenes, observing and documenting the interactions and emotions of the day. Of course, the key to a photojournalistic approach is having the time and freedom to act as an observer.
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