PHOTOJOURNALISM VS TRADITONAL

PHOTOJOURNALISM 

Wedding photojournalism has been the big buzzword in wedding photography for the last 5 to 7 years but I just wanted to take a little time to explain my approach on it and why its still important to do traditional portraits.

Now, a really straightforward photojournalism approach to a wedding would mean that there would be no formal photos at all.  This means that there would be only pictures of moments, and emotions that were not staged or planned at all; whereas an extreme traditional wedding would mean that all the photographs were planned and staged.

I do about 75 percent P.J. (photojournalism) and the rest is staged but one is not more important than the other.

This is one of my favorites.  I remember arriving at Michelle's apartment the morning of her wedding.  She was so energetic and full of life.  As I walked in her room, I saw her dress laying on the bed and I decided to hang it up.  Once her make-up was complete, she walked in her room, I asked her about the stuffed dog on her dresser and she said it was gift from one of her best-friends when she was 10 years-old.  I sat her on the bed, opened the window and told her to give me the same smile she gave her best-friend when she was ten years-old.  Although the photograph was staged, the energy and sincerity was not.  The result was a wonderful portrait that captured Michelle's personality. I would like to think that this is traditional portraiture mixed with a litte P.J.

A lot of photographers require the bride, bride's maids and groom's men to pause for a moment for the photograph to be taken when walking down the isle, but I just let them walk down, I don't like to interrupt the energy or the flow of events.  This is a standard P.J. photograph.

This is the epitome of a P.J. shot, Rhonda was getting ready and didn't notice her father peaking at her smiling.  I just happen to be ready with the camera.  Maybe because I have a daughter I love this photograph just that much more. 

Rhonda also has a lot of siblings and held back tears as she admired this photograph and told me, "for once, on that day, I felt like the I was the favorite."