WEDDING PHOTOGRAHERS...OR JUST ANY PHOTOGRAPHERS

I had the most pleasant coffee date with Savannah Kenney of Ava Grace Photography this week. While we were talking about the industry we love, we morphed into talking about kinds of photography/photographers. Yes, there are differences. Just because someone picks up a camera and shoots a wedding, it does not make them a wedding photographer. You should see my red-eyed images. In this post, I will compare three types of photography.

Sports Photography

These professionals know how to capture and focus on an individual in a large group. They know how to use their flash and shutter speeds to capture movement in rapid succession as well. However, sports photographers are generally not accustomed to posing and and organizing large groups of people for hours at a time. Their craft is more in the moment. Here is a wonderful action shot from Primary Focus Photography of Memphis.

Portrait Photography

Portrait photographers are similar to wedding photographers in that they are very sensitive and knowledgeable about lighting and positioning. The one major difference, to me, is that photographers who primarily (keyword: primarily) shoot portraits are not very interested in finding and capturing the details of the day. The next two shots are from Savannah of Ava Grace Photography. Any photographer who can make a bride look like this is okey dokey in my book. Although Savannah and her husband, Philip, have the ability and knowledge to shoot portrait photography, it is not their primary focus.

Wedding Photography

Wedding photographers, great wedding photographers, know about lighting, details, angles and editing. And they bring a lot of equipment with them. While they are not your day of wedding coordinator, they do know how to position family for photos. Wedding photographers are adept at telling an entire story. They not only tell you that a wedding took place, they tell you what kind of wedding took place. And they make the story interesting enough for you to read. In 20 years, you should not be looking at images of just family standing in front of the alter...all lined up...nice and neat...and boring. Of course, you want that photo of Aunt Tilly. But, you also want a shot of your wedding reception space before any guests arrived. You spent a great deal of time designing that room and, as the couple, will be the last ones to enter the room. By then, the pretty is filled with guests and you really do not have the chance to take it all in. A great shot of your centerpieces will bring back great memories. Wedding photography shot in this way is more editorial, but it is also more fun. Whatever the cost of their wedding photography package, I am sure this couple felt it was more than worth it from this shot alone.