Wedding photographers everywhere are moving towards an innovative, modern style of wedding photography. No longer are formal poses and stiff group shots the centrepiece of a wedding album. Vibrant energy, fun and style shine through, as photographers bring fashion photography or photo-journalism experience to the wedding scene. A new genre of photography with very individual styles is evolving, making the choice of photographer for your wedding even more important.
In Cape Town, for example, where the beautiful landscapes of its surroundings have long been a favoured location for fashion and advertising shoots, many wedding photographers are inspired to bring those elements of style to their photography. The bride becomes the top model in a photo spread worthy of publishing in Vogue, with the gorgeous backdrops of mountains, vines and historic buildings provided by Cape Town’s stunning wedding venues adding a special dimension to those wedding photos.
Just as every fashion photographer has their own style, so has every wedding photographer, so brides-to-be searching for a photographer to capture their big day, need to examine each portfolio just as carefully as that Vogue editor planning shoots six months ahead. In fact a bride often needs to plan even further ahead than a fashion editor, as wedding photographers can get booked up as much as a year in advance.
So the first step in planning a wedding is to look for a photographer at the same time as you are deciding on a wedding venue. Once you have found the perfect venue and photographer then you can decide on a date when both are available.
Choosing a wedding photographer can be as simple as falling in love with the first portfolio you see or can involve lengthy research. Most photographers have their own websites where they display a sample of their portfolios. Styles are very individual so keep looking until you find a portfolio that you love. Think about what you want from your photographs. Are glamorous photos what you’re after, or do you prefer a more natural approach? Do you like the romance of soft focus or prefer something with a more modern edge?
Once you have found a few portfolios that you really like, make sure you meet the photographers in person before making a final decision. Your wedding photographer will be spending the whole of the most special day of your life with you, so it is important that you are comfortable with his or her personality and the way they work. This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship, as they record precious moments in the life of your new family: anniversaries, new babies, first birthdays and on.
So take your time when choosing wedding photographers for your big day, but don’t delay in booking. No two wedding photographers are alike these days, so you once you have fallen in love with a unique style of photography, you want to make sure you have that specific photographer to record your wedding day in state of the art photographic splendour.