There are different photographic styles: traditional poses vs photo-journalistic; black and white vs colour; film vs digital. We explain the options you have to choose from so you can make an informed decision on what you want.
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When it comes to photography, there are many styles for you to choose from. Your photographer will probably be an expert at some, but probably not all of the styles.
The traditional style of wedding photography is posed shots and formal portraits. The photojournalist style of wedding photography is candid shots of events as they happen—capturing the moment and feeling. Most photographers have one or the other as their speciality. If you were choosing the photojournalism style as the main type of photograph that you want at your wedding, then it would be best to find a photographer who specializes in it. He or she could also do any posed or formal portraits you require. It is usually more difficult for a portrait photographer to switch their style over to photojournalism.
Usually couples like to have a combination of traditional and photojournalism styles in their wedding photographs—so be sure to ask for examples of the photographers work in these two areas to see if you like them.
The next choice revolves around whether you want black and white photographs, or colour photographs, or a combination of the two. Black and white photographs have a timeless quality to them, and are very popular. Colour photographs will show all the wedding details that you have been planning for the last year. It is for this reason that most couples choose to have a combination of the two styles.
The next main consideration you have in your photograph style is film vs digital. Like everything else, photographers often have a preference for one or the other. Ask to see samples of their work with both styles of photograph, so you can decide what you like best.
Regarding film, the most popular camera for weddings is the medium format camera, which gives better quality photos (and negatives) than a 35 mm camera. From the negatives, your photographer will make proofs (5 x 5 prints) of all the shots made at your wedding. From those proofs, you will choose the final prints for your wedding package. Some things to consider is that film costs money, and usually less shots are taken by a photographer using film, than using a digital camera. Usually it takes a few weeks to get the proofs once the wedding is over. Your photographer keeps negatives for a specific time period, so you should know what this in case you find you want reprints in the future.
If your photographer is taking digital photos, they usually take a lot more shots than if they were using film. Although proofs can be made, most photographers will make the digital images available to you on-line within days after your wedding or they will have you come in to view them as a slide show. From those pictures you will choose those images that will become the final prints for your wedding package.
Fill out this section in the SmartBride Checklist: Photography Overview and record your choices.