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Your wedding day is going to be one of the most wonderful days of your life and you will want the best photographer you can find to capture the day for posterity. However, before you approach any photographer with a view to hiring them, it will be helpful if you have an clearer idea of the style of wedding photographs you would like done.

When most people think of wedding photographs, they tend to think of the traditional type of photography where the bride and groom pose for a series planned shots with different members of their family and friends. However, this is only one of the styles you can choose for your wedding photographs and many photographers will specialise in either one or many of these styles.

So, before you even start thinking about actually booking a wedding photographer, you should try and work out what type of photographic style you would like for your wedding. Having decided that, you will be able to make a more informed decision about which photographer will turn your dreams into a reality.

Traditional or Formal

These are the classic wedding photographs and provide a good record of everyone who is at the wedding. The standard format for these posed photographs is take take them at key parts of the wedding day such as signing the register, leaving the church, cutting the cake etc. There will also be a list of photographs required during the reception e.g. one of the bride and groom, one with each set of parents, one of the whole family, and so on.

Although many people do not like them because they look so posed, they can still look nice and will ensure that all your friends and family are included in the wedding photos.

Candid

This is a much less formal style. Although it may still include some formal photos, it will also allow the photographer to take some candid shots of people at the wedding. With this style, the photographer may stay on and cover the speeches, meal, and even the first dance. This approach is more relaxed and allows the photographer to be more creative in his work. It allows him to catch the personalities, atmosphere, and emotions of the day.

Reportage or Photojournalism

The photographer, working in the style of a good photo journalist, will aims to tell a picture story of your wedding wedding day. This is a totally informal approach as none of the photos will be posed. The photographer will work discreetly in the background and hopefully capture the essence and emotions of the day. All the the nerves, tears, happiness, and laughter will be recorded for posterity. It is probably the most realistic representation of any wedding or event.

Romantic

If you want a romantic depiction of your wedding, then this is the style for you. The photographer will use the tricks of his trade such as lighting, backgrounds, soft focus, and even sepia tints, to create a romantic atmosphere. There will probably be a few doves thrown in for good measure!

Eclectic

Of course, another option is to have a mixture of some or all of these styles in your wedding photos. You could have some formal group shots for your family and relatives, a few romantic ones of the bride and groom, and a selection of candid ones for the rest of the wedding. However, whether you can get this will depend on the photographer you choose.

Regardless of what style you choose, hopefully this article will give you a clearer idea of what wedding photographers can actually provide and what sort of wedding photographs you would like for your wedding.

Have a lovely and stylish wedding!