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Genres in practice3 min read

LESSON 46

Wedding and events

One chance, many people, long days.

IN THIS LESSON

  1. From studio to the whole day
  2. Three approaches
  3. Event photography in general
  4. In practice: no second takes
  5. In practice: being invisible

From studio to the whole day

Wedding photography covers the events of a wedding, and often portraits of the couple beforehand, such as an engagement session used on invitations. Early couples rarely hired anyone for the day itself; they posed in their best clothes before or after. From the late 1860s more posed in wedding dress or brought a photographer to the venue, and albums became common in the 1880s. Covering the whole event took hold after the Second World War, helped by roll film and compact flash bulbs. In the 1970s a more documentary approach to the full day developed into the practice known today.

Three approaches

The source describes three styles. Traditional wedding photography is posed and controlled, with the photographer directing much of the day. A photojournalistic style borrows from news reporting: mostly candid pictures, little interference, available light or a flash on the camera rather than studio setups. A third, fashion-based style brings magazine-like posing and lighting to the couple. Most working photographers mix them: candid coverage of the ceremony and party, plus a short set of directed portraits and group pictures that families expect.

Event photography in general

Event photography covers guests and moments at any occasion where a photographer can be hired: christenings, naming ceremonies, parties, birthdays, dances, award ceremonies, funerals, dinners and engagements. It really began once portable cameras let people record moments as they happened rather than posing for them. Photo booths are a related trade. A New York patent for an automatic booth was filed in 1924, the first public one opened in New York in 1926, and renting booths for weddings and parties grew in the United States from the early 2000s.

In practice: no second takes

This section is working practice. You cannot repeat a first kiss or a speech, so prepare. Visit the venue, learn the timeline, and ask who matters most, including relatives who might be missed. Carry two bodies or at least spare cards and batteries, and use a camera that writes to two cards at once if you have one. Keep a list of the family groups and a person who can gather them. Use bounced flash indoors so faces are lit evenly; lesson 61 explains how. Back up the files the same night, before you sleep.

In practice: being invisible

Also practice. Good event pictures come from people forgetting you are there. Dress like a guest, move quietly, and use a longer lens during the ceremony so you can stay back. Watch the people watching: a parent's face during the vows often says more than the couple's. Respect the officiant's rules about flash and position, which differ between venues and faiths. Deliver what you promised on time, and agree in writing how the pictures may be used. Many couples and hosts want a few pictures quickly to share, so plan a small early selection.

Try it today

  1. 01Offer to photograph a friend's birthday or a small family gathering.
  2. 02Write the timeline and a list of five pictures you cannot miss before you go.
  3. 03Shoot the first half hour from a distance with a longer lens.
  4. 04Bounce a flash off a white ceiling for indoor faces and compare with direct flash.
  5. 05Copy the files to two places before you go to bed.