THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER DEFINED
Wedding Photographer: Miriam Webster defines
a photographer as: “one
who practices photography; especially : one who makes a business
of taking photographs”.
A wedding photographer is a specialized professional who visually
captures the formal matrimonial ceremony. A wedding photographer
uses various tools and techniques including film, chemicals, digital
and mechanical processes to achieve a certain, static visual effect.
Professional wedding photographers must have both creativity and
technical expertise. This involves careful subject and equipment
selection. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than
half of all photographers are
self-employed, thus
must be skilled at operating a business, marketing for and
consulting with customers. In addition to their camera, wedding
photographers depend on supportive equipment including tripods,
lenses, flashes, lighting and filters to garner an intended effect.
Following the shoot, wedding photographers have many choices of
laboratories for processing their film and/or digital files before
turning over the finished photographic prints to their clients.
Many wedding photographers choose to keep all the work in-house
and handle all the post production processing themselves.
THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER PROFILE
The Wedding Photographer - Then and Now
Shortly after Joseph Nicephore, a French physicist, created
the first photograph, called a heliograph, in 1826, brides and
grooms began using this technology to document their nuptials.
Wedding photography began as far back as the early 1840’s,
an art limited to formal studio work and posed shots because
it required heavy, non-portable equipment. At this time, wedding
photographers produced highly detailed daguerreotype portraits
on a miniature sheet of copper. Before the advent of photography
paper, wedding photographers also used glass plates and tin sheets.
With a rising British middle class, their appreciation for the
novelty and their even stronger gratitude for the cost benefits
when compared to a painter’s fee, daguerreotype portraiture
flourished in popularity. Obvious downsides, however, were in
their limitation to black and white imagery and the lengthy exposure
time restricting use to portraiture only.
The Wedding Photographer Realizes Portability:
Though the first form of color photography was introduced in
the early 1900’s, it wasn’t for a full century that
noticeable technological advances were realized. By 1945, the
color processing technique was fine-tuned, so print images faded
or shifted less. More advanced chemical processes further improved
print quality. Color film for transparencies were introduced,
portable lighting equipment was commercialized and the Polaroid
Land camera produced a positive print in mere seconds. The wedding
photographer was still largely restricted to formal, in-studio
portraiture.
Following WWII, the new portable roll film based cameras with
compact flash lighting drew budding new wedding photographers
onto the scene competing with professional studio wedding photographers.
World War II photographers including Edward Steichen, Margaret
Bourke-White and Robert Capa began to document the military conflict,
urgency and devastation of war. This technique began to slowly
influence other forms of photography. Professional studio wedding
photographers expanded their service to also include on-site
coverage, albeit the inconvenience of transporting their heavy
equipment. Traditional wedding photography which included in-studio
or on-site posed shots was the favored option on the market during
this time.
The Advent of Wedding Photojournalism:
Following the introduction of the 35mm camera, wedding photographers
were finally free to capture the candid moments of a wedding,
no longer tied to slow shutter speeds or heavy apparatus. The
art of wedding photojournalism was born, offering a more spontaneous
and documentary approach to wedding
photography. This approach
delivers more human, emotional and artistic results than that
previously possible. Wedding photojournalism has been considered
a product with origins in news photojournalism, differing only
in subject matter.
Wedding photojournalism is a finely practiced craft typically
using a variety of lenses with limited portraiture and posed
shots, camera-aware subjects, image manipulation such as digital
alteration or hand-tinting, extensive detail shots such as flowers,
rings and cakes, wedding photographer prompting or subject interaction.
Wedding photojournalists work best inconspicuously and unnoticed,
watching, observing and freezing found moments in time. Like
news photojournalists, wedding photojournalists carry most of
their equipment on their body at all times. They use both digital
and film processes to capture a true representation of what actually
took place the moment the shutter was released.
Selecting the right Wedding Photographer or Wedding Photojournalist:
Wedding couples now have countless options from which to choose – from
traditional or photojournalistic style to their photographer’s
personal and creative approach. Each individual wedding photographer
has his or her own technique – both in their art and in
their business. While most work as freelancers or sole proprietors,
others conduct business at a studio with multiple photographers
on staff. Similarly, some photographers are willing to
travel to your destination
wedding,
while others are not.
The introduction of the Internet alone means you can now conduct
searches online at your convenience. Shoppers can now browse
online wedding portfolios, avoiding time-consuming face-to-face
meetings. They can request fee and package information, ask questions
and even schedule the event by email, dramatically reducing the
stress involved in wedding planning. Some wedding photographers
even offer secure log-in, so you can review your images after
the event in the privacy of your own home.
When limiting your options, consider the complete package – from
quality to reputation and cost. Many brides and grooms mistakenly
base their choice on price alone. Adherence to a pre-determined
budget is often a crucial part of the decision process, but the
photographer’s portfolio should be a biggest aspect of
your decision.
Because wedding photography has expanded to include a plethora
of artistic styles and approaches, brides and grooms now have
the added advantage of variety. When shopping for a wedding photographer,
choose a style that fits you. For those seeking a more artistic,
spontaneous approach based on documenting, not directing, the
scene, wedding photojournalism is probably the best option. Wedding
photojournalism is able to freeze the emotions of the event and
preserve them for years to come.
When you review various portfolios, pay attention to style, quality,
quantity and consistency. While most every wedding
photographer can show a few good shots,
it’s helpful to see the entire
wedding set. The more images offered both within each wedding
and in all, and the more that meet your standards, the better.
Further, if you’re reviewing the work for a wedding
photography studio, make sure
their portfolio accurately reflects the work of the wedding photographer
that will be assigned to your event.
When benchmarking various wedding photographers, find out how
much experience they have, how long they’ve been in business.
What work did they specialized in prior to their current occupation
(if applicable)? Research their background, education and any
professional affiliations. Do they have a professional website?
What is their personal philosophy? Once you’ve selected
a photographer, be prepared to leave a deposit and sign a contract
to reserve your wedding date.
Wedding photography has come a long way from its modest roots
to the highly competitive, commercial and artistic field it is
today. With this innovation comes a plethora of new choices and
options for today’s bride and groom. With careful planning
and a bit of industry know-how, anyone can find an ideally suited
wedding photographer for their wedding day.
WEDPIX:
The Wedding Photographer Magazine for the Wedding Photojournalist
[AG]WPJA:
Fine Art Wedding Photographers / Artistic Wedding Photographers
The WPJA grants membership to the most
talented professional wedding
photographers
in
the industry. We are looking for those with a documentary-style
approach to weddings.
Digital
Wedding Photographers and Film Wedding Photographers
Recently there is no topic that creates as much impassioned conversation when
it is discussed among photographers....As a photographer who has used film for
over twenty years and digital for the last six years, I would have to say that,
at the time of this writing, it’s just about a dead heat...
What
is Wedding Photojournalism
There are probably at least twice as many definitions of “What
The PJ Style Is” as there are photographers practicing it.
When asked 'what is photojournalism'? W. Eugene Smith, one of
the 20th century’s greatest photojournalists, replied “Documentary
Photography with a purpose”...
Taking
Care of Wedding Negatives (Film)
If couples do purchase the negatives or have them included
in their wedding package price, the responsibility for preserving
these important originals falls to the couple. Here are some
guidelines that should be followed for the safest storage...
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WPJA MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following email communications have been sent to all WPJA members:
NEWEST - January 26th, 2012 - Q4 2011 Contest Deadline Change December 24th, 2011 - Q3 Contest Results are now live on the WPJA site October 25th, 2011 - WPJA & AG Q3 2011 Contest Deadline - 3 Days September 8th, 2011 - Q2 2011 Contest Results July 28th, 2011 - Q2 2011 Contest - 24 Hour Reminder July 18th, 2011 - WPJA Q2 Contest Deadline in 2 weeks June 14th, 2011 - WPJA Q1 2011 Contest Results April 27th, 2011 - WPJA Q1 2011 Contest Deadline Approaching March 23rd, 2011 - WPJA Q1 2011 Contest Open for Submissions March 18th, 2011 - WPJA Q4 2010 Contest Results - POY Announcement February 3rd, 2011 - WPJA Q4 2010 Contest Deadline - 24 Hour Notice January 27th, 2011 - WPJA Q4 2010 Contest Deadline Change January 21st, 2011 - WPJA Q4 2010 Contest Deadline - One Week December 21st, 2010 - WPJA Q3 2010 Contest Results November 10th, 2010 - 2010 BRIDES | WPJA Contest Results Announcement October 28th, 2010 - WPJA & AG Q3 Contests - 24 Hour Reminder October 22nd, 2010 - WPJA Q3 2010 Contest - Deadline in One Week! September 10th, 2010 - WPJA Q2 2010 Contest Results July 29th, 2010 - WPJA Q2 2010 Deadline - 24 Hours July 18th, 2010 - WPJA Q2 2010 Open for Submissions June 5th, 2010 - WPJA Q1 2010 CONTEST RESULTS May 18th, 2010 - The 2010 BRIDES Magazine Photo Contest - Now Open! April 29th, 2010 - WPJA Q1 2010 Contest Deadline 24 Hours Away April 26th, 2010 - WPJA Q1 2010 Contest Deadline March 17th, 2010 - WPJA Photographer of the Year 2009 March 5th, 2010 - WPJA Q4 09 Contest Results February 24th, 2010 - WPJA Feature: Client Letters January 28th, 2010 - WPJA Q4 09 Contest Deadline is Less than 36 Hours Away January 16th, 2010 - WPJA New Feature: Client Testimonials on Member Profiles January 15th, 2010 - The
Next Contest Deadline Is Two Weeks Away,
Why should WPJA members enter this contest?, Contest Judges,
Contest Categories, Contest Sponsors
December 24th, 2009 - The
Q3 Contest Results Are Now Live On The Site!, Happy Holidays, Winners
From Each Q3 Category and New Home Page Random Images
November 19th, 2009 - Follow
Me / Social Networking Icons and Links, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr, RSS, Wedding Photography Blog, Destination Wedding
Photographers
November 10th, 2009 - The WPJA Q4 '09 Contest Is Now Open!,
Contest Categories, 2009 Contest Sponsors
October 30th, 2009 - The Next Contest Deadline Is About 30 Hours
Away, Q3 Contest Categories, Sneak Peek: Q4 Contest Categories, 2009 Contest Sponsors
October 23rd, 2009 - The Next Contest Deadline Is One Week Away,
Thank You For Being An Active WPJA Member, Contest Categories, Contest Sponsors
October 13th, 2009 - The Results for the 2009 BRIDES Magazine
Photo Contest are now Live!, Winners From Each Category, Contest Judges
September 23rd, 2009 - The WPJA Q3 '09 Contest Is Now Open!,
Contest Categories, Reminder: Members Receive 40 FREE Contest Credits, Contest Judges, Wedding PJ Contest Sponsors
September 23rd, 2009 - Q2 News: Updated Home
Page Random Images, Reminder: Membership Renewal Discounts
September 23rd, 2009 - The Q2 Contest Results Are Now Live On The
Site!, Winners From Each Q2 Category
September 17th, 2009 - The [AG]WPJA Q2 '09 Contest
Results Are Now Live On The Site!, The Top Thirty Photographers From The Q2 '09 Contest, General Judging Comments, Contest Sponsors
August 20th, 2009 - Free WPJA Membership
For Referring New Members, New Random Images On The Home Page
August 7th, 2009 - The Q2 '09 Contest Deadline Is About
12 Hours Away!, New - WPJA Press Release Templates
August 6th, 2009 - The Q2 '09 Contest Deadline Is About
28 Hours Away!, Contest Categories, All Members Receive 40 FREE Contest Credits, Contest Sponsors, Creative Motion Design, D-65
July 17th, 2009 - CMD's huge Summer Sale is on,
Everything is half price!
July 13th, 2009 - The WPJA Q2 '09 Contest Is Now
Open!, All Members Receive 40 FREE Contest Credits, Contest Categories, Contest Judges (Partial List), Contest Sponsors
July 4th, 2009 - The Q1 Contest Results Are Now Live
On The Site!, Congratulations to our Top 20 Photographers for Q1, Contest Sponsors, Creative Motion Design, D-65
June 4th, 2009 - WPJA Online Polls for BRIDES Magazine
Article, Help Your Fellow WPJA Photographers Book Weddings, WPJA Online Availability Calendar
May 29th, 2009 - PLEASE READ: Important WPJA Contest Reminders,
Black & White Images Only For Q1 Contest, 40 Contest Entries For 2009, All Contests Are Now Free
May 28th, 2009 - BRIDES UK Magazine, Supplement Cover Image Of
Wedding Photographer, Bride And Groom, Q1 Contest Deadline: 24 Hours Away, Contest Sponsors, Creative Motion Design, D-65
May 26th, 2009 - The [AG]WPJA Q1 '09 Contest Results Are Now
Live On The Site!, Some Comments From [AG]WPJA Judge Seth Resnick, The Top Twenty Photographers From The Q1 '09 Contest, Contest Sponsors
May 21st, 2009 - The Q1 Contest Is For Black & White Images Only,
All Members Now Receive 40 FREE Contest Credits!, Contest Categories, Contest Judges, Photographer of the Year Eligibility, Contest Sponsors, Creative Motion Design,
D-65
May 11th, 2009 - The Q1 '09 Contest Is Now Open: B&W Images
Only, All Members Now Receive 40 FREE Contest Credits!, Contest Categories, Contest Judges (Partial List), WPJA Contest Code Of Ethics
May 9th, 2009 - The 2009 WPJA Stimulus Package Is Here!, WPJA
Contests: From Fee to Free, Best of the Best, The Q1 '09 Contest: Black and White Images Only!
May 6th, 2009 - WPJA And [AG]WPJA Members, New Wedding Day Show
From Mark Burnett Productions
May 4th, 2009 - The WPJA Is Proud To Announce
Franck Boutonnet As The 2008 Photographer Of The Year, Top WPJA Photographers For 2008
April 30th, 2009 - The 2009 BRIDES Magazine
Photo Contest Deadline Is Fast Approaching, This Is Your Last Opportunity To Enter Wedding Images From 2008, Contest Judges (Round 1), Contest Judges
(Round 2)
April 30th, 2009 - [AG]WPJA Membership Is 1/2 Price For
Current WPJA Members!, The Deadline For The [AG]WPJA Q1 2009 Contest Is Tomorrow, Contest Categories, All [AG]WPJA Members Receive Free Contest Credits,
Contest Cash Prize Payout, 220 Contest Credits Awarded, Contest Judging, Contest Sponsor - D-65 Workshops
April 27th, 2009 - Reminder: The Deadline For
The 2009 BRIDES Magazine Photo Contest Is This Friday, 2009 Categories Include, 10 FREE Entries Per Member, What Will The Winners Receive?
April 14th, 2009 - The
[AG]WPJA Q1 2009 Contest Is Now Open For Your Image Submissions!, Attention All WPJA Members, [AG]WPJA Q1 2009 Contest Categories, All [AG]WPJA Members
Receive Free Contest Credits, [AG]WPJA Q1 2009 Contest Judge, [AG]WPJA Q1 2009 Contest Sponsor - D-65 Workshops
April 9th, 2009 - The WPJA Is Proud To
Announce The 2009 BRIDES Magazine Photo Contest, 2009 Categories Include, 10 FREE Entries Per Member, When Is The Entry Deadline?, What Will The Winners
Receive?
April 2nd, 2009 - Introducing Another
WPJA Member Profile Feature!, 'Rates / Packages' Section, 'View Packages' Link, Feature Activation, General Package Info, Adding Packages
March 30th, 2009 - The New WPJA Member Profile Feature Is Here!, Customize Your
Color Palette, Biography and Info, Upload Your Portrait, Award-Winning Photo Gallery, Contest Achievement Recognition, Update Your Own Rates, Experiment With Your Extra Regions, States And Countries,
Destination Weddings - Freedom On The Fly, Don't Forget About Your Online Availability Calendar
March 27th, 2009 - Q4 2008 Photo Contest Results Are Now Live On The
Site!, Q4 2008 Contest Judges, WPJA Q4 2008 Contest Sponsor - D-65 Workshops
March 9th, 2009 - The [AG]WPJA Q4 '08 Contest Results
Are Now Live On The Site!, [AG]WPJA Announces Photographer Of The Year And Two Runners-Up, Some Comments From [AG]WPJA Judge Seth Resnick, The Top Thirty Photographers From
The Q4 '08 Contest, Contest Sponsor - D-65 Workshops
February 12th, 2009 - The Q4 2008 Contest Deadline Is
About 3 Hours Away!, Submit Your Entries Now, Upload Your Member Profile Portraits
February 10th, 2009 - The Contest Deadline Is About 48 Hours
Away!, Member Photo Galleries Coming!, Submit Your Photos Today!, The Cash Prize Payout Has Increased, 1,100 Contest Credits Awarded, Q4 2008 Contest Categories, Q4 2008
Contest Judges, WPJA Q4 2008 Contest Sponsor - D-65 Workshops
February 6th, 2009 - [AG]WPJA Membership Is 1/2 Price For
Current WPJA Members, The Deadline For The [AG]WPJA Q4 2008 Contest Is Just Hours Away!, Contest Categories, All [AG]WPJA Members Receive Free Contest Credits, Contest Cash
Prize Payout, 330 Contest Credits Awarded, Contest Judging
February 5th, 2009 - WPJA Q4 08 Contest
Deadline Is Just 1 Week Away, The Cash Prize Payout Has Increased, 1100 Contest Credits Awarded, 1st - 20th Place Winners Displayed In New Photo Galleries,
Q4 2008 Contest Categories, Judges, Sponsor, Reminder: [AG]WPJA Contest Deadline Is About 24 Hours Away
February 4th, 2009 - Coming Soon: A New WPJA Member Profile
Feature!, Customize Your Color Palette, Biography and Info, Contest Achievement Recognition and Award-Winning Photo Gallery, Preview Your New Profile Today!
February 3rd, 2009 - The Deadline For
The [AG]WPJA Q4 2008 Contest Is Just 3 Days Away!, Attention All WPJA Members, [AG]WPJA Q4 2008 Contest Categories, All [AG]WPJA Members Receive Free Contest Credits, Deadline
Countdown Clock, [AG]WPJA Q4 2008 Contest Judge
January 9th, 2009 - The [AG]WPJA Q3 '08 Contest Results Are Now Live On The
Site!, The Top Thirty Photographers From The Q3 '08 Contest, Category Descriptions, Top Ten Winners From Each Category
December 9th, 2008 - Q3 2008 Photo Contest Results Are Now Live On The
Site!, Top 10 WPJA Photographers From The Latest Contest, Cash Prizes For 1st Through 3rd, WPJA Banners For Award Winners, Judges, Sponsors
November 13th, 2008 - First WPJA Trash
The Dress Photo Contest Results Are Now Live!, Trash The Dress Contest Categories, Judges For The 2008 TTD Contest, WedPix Article: Trash The Dress
October 27th, 2008 - 2008 Winners Of The BRIDES | WPJA Photography Contest,
Who Were The Judges For Round 1 Of This Contest?
October 23rd, 2008 - WPJA Contest Deadline In About 24 Hours!,
Cash Prizes And Contest Entry Credits!, Another Contest Judge Added, Contest Sponsors
October 17th, 2008 - The Contest Deadline Is Just 1 Week Away!, We've
Dropped The Trophies But Increased The Cash Prize Payout!, Q3 '08 Contest Judges, Q3 '08 Contest Sponsors, Adobe Photoshop CS4, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2, liveBooks, Q3 '08 Contest Categories
September 30th, 2008 - The Q3 '08 WPJA Contest Is Now Open For
Your Submissions, Cash Prize Payout Increased!, Q3 '08 Contest Sponsors - Adobe and liveBooks, Q3 '08 Contest Categories, Q3 '08 Contest Deadline
September 12th, 2008 - Trash The Dress
Photography Contest Reminder, A WPJA Photo Contest For TTD Portraits
August 29th, 2008 - Winning Images From The Q2 2008 Contest Are Now Live On
The Site, Top WPJA Photographers From The Latest Contest, New Additions To PIX Galleries, Cash Prizes, New Acrylic Trophies, 26 WPJA Banners Available For Award Winners, Q2 '08 Contest Sponsor,
Internationally Recognized Judges, Q2 '08 Contest Judges, The Benefits of WPJA Honors
August 15th, 2008 - [AG]WPJA Q3 '08 Photo Contest Now
Open For Your Submissions, Contest Categories, Contest Judges, Contest Sponsor - D-65 Workshops
August 8th, 2008 - Announcing
The First WPJA Trash The Dress Photo Competition!, TTD Contest Categories, Rules and Judges, WedPix Article: Trash The Dress, How To
Enter The Trash The Dress Photo Contest
August 6th, 2008 - Ben Chrisman, of Northern California,
Chosen For WPJA Workshop Scholarship!, Wéyo Judging and Winner Selection Process, Scholarship Runners-up, Workshop Discounts for WPJA Members
July 31st, 2008 - WPJA / Truth With A Camera /
Wéyo Workshop Scholarship Opportunity, Mission of the Truth With A Camera / Wéyo Workshop, October Assignment: Dominican Republic, Wéyo Founder Bios
July 25th, 2008 - WPJA Q2 '08 Photo Contest Reminder,
It's Not Too Late to Enter!, Update to Contest Prizes, Contest Sponsored by Think Tank Photo
July 8th, 2008 - Q2 '08 WPJA Contest Now Open for
Submissions, Exciting New Addition to PIX Galleries, New Acrylic Trophies for 1st through 10th Place Winners, Contest Deadline, Sponsor, Categories, Judges, WPJA Member Testimonial
Module
July 4th, 2008 - New feature added to the WPJA site - Member Testimonials module, Share your booking success with potential clients, Destination
Wedding photographers, How to submit your member
testimonial
June 12th, 2008 - Results from the [AG]WPJA Q1 '08 Contest now
live on the site, Top Ten Photographers from the latest contest announced, Thoughts and comments from the [AG]WPJA Contest judges, Thank you to BorrowLenses and Totally Rad for
sponsoring our Q1 '08 contest
June 5th, 2008 - Winning images from the WPJA Q1 '08 contest
now live on the site, the Top 10 WPJA Photographers from the latest contest announced, Jon Lowenstein comments on judging the Q1 '08 contest, WPJA Contests are just one of the many
perks of membership, Contests feature Internationally-recognized judges, the Benefits of WPJA honors through quarterly photo contests, New acrylic trophies awarded for all 1st through
10th place winners
May 16th, 2008 - Free contest credits for all [AG]WPJA members, along with new prizes being offered for wedding photojournalism contest winners, Updates include changes to [AG]WPJA contest rules, along with new random images on [AG]WPJA homepage
April 30th, 2008 - The WPJA is proud to announce the 2008 BRIDES Magazine Photo Contest,
WPJA Photojournalist Member Testimonials from Last Year's
BRIDES Contest
April 25th, 2008 - Contest deadline extended 12 hours, 8 new banners available for
WPJA award winning photojournalists, Updated random
images on the WPJA.com home page, Upcoming wedding photography competitions: BRIDES and [AG]WPJA
April 24th, 2008 - Current Q1 '08 WPJA contest deadline fast approaching, New acrylic trophies for 1st through 10th place
winning wedding photojournalists, Winning images featured on the
regional listing pages at WPJA.com
April 16th, 2008 - Important change in [AG]WPJA contest submissions for
WPJA wedding photojournalists, New metal trophies for
[AG]WPJA contests
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