Reportage, documentary wedding photography, photojournalist, candid wedding photography, natural, fly-on-the-wall – call it what you like – describing yourself as a specialist in “unposed wedding photography” is definitely de rigueur amongst photographers in the UK right now.
I’m not sure who led this revolt on wedding portraiture but all I can say is it smacks of “the emperor’s new clothes” to me. And here’s why.
First. Around 90% of all photos taken at weddings are documentary wedding photography
They can’t be anything else because you’re not on a photo shoot; your photographer is literally not in control of the proceedings at your wedding so the only thing they can do (for at least 90% of the time) is candid wedding photography – good and bad.
Second. Photographers that say they don’t pose couples do
Not all of their shots of course, but definitely some. I mean, let’s talk about Adam Riley – the king of street photography – for one. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of Adam’s wedding photography, but here’s the reality: if your photographer asks you to walk hand in hand, looking at each other – you’re directing them so that is not documentary wedding photography. And when your photographer gets into the front seat of your wedding car and has you toast each other with champagne while guests look on – that’s not documentary wedding photography either.
And while we’re talking about other photographers, let’s not forget Lyndsey “I tell the honest and unscripted story of your day” Goddard either. Because, if your photographer asks you to step into the cobbled streets of Rye and give each other a quick squeeze while she clicks away – that’s not documentary or candid wedding photography. Neither is having your bride and groom embrace on a stormy sea front. I love both of those shots by the way but then I don’t think posing is a dirty word.
Why do we like the idea of documentary wedding photography?
The most common reason for liking candid wedding photography is thinking that you don’t have to pose but as I mentioned above, that’s not always reality. Some of the photos you think are natural wedding photography, e.g. when the father of the bride sees his daughter for the first time or when the makeup artist applies lipstick, are often staged as well.
One reason that people often share candid wedding photography on social media is because people in the photos are snapped doing something embarrassing or unpleasant. Sure, there’s also cute and funny. All of which I like and all of which I endeavour to capture at a wedding, even though I don’t specifically describe myself as a candid photographer.
Whether your photographer says they only do documentary wedding photography or not, since the dawn of digital photography (or within a few years), it’s how we all spend most of our time at weddings these days.
But let’s talk about documentary wedding photography a bit more. Because if you really do decide to go for 100% candid fly-on-the-wall images, there’s at least one thing that’s worth thinking about.
And that’s the number of times, you’ll both be together in a photo. Apart from the moment you walk down the aisle and the confetti shot (if you have one), when you opt for 100% documentary wedding photography there probably won’t be any other shots of the two of you together when you’re both in focus and facing the camera. During the ceremony, it’s one or other of you that’s photographed because your photographer has to stand to the side. During the first dance, it’s the same.
The rest of the time, you’ll be working the room, won’t you? And even if you do that together, one of you will invariably have your back or side to the camera. I hope you like your profiles!
I do understand that a lot of people really hate having their photo taken. The trouble is, if you’re really self-conscious, chances are, you’re still going to notice a camera pointing at you, even when you’re chatting with wedding guests. In many ways, you just need to suck it up.
One thing that can help on the comfort front is a pre-wedding shoot. It can help you get comfortable with your photographer and it can also help you get comfortable in front of a camera. I mean, let’s face it, when was the last time you had your portrait taken? School? You’re just not used to it.
Ultimately, your wedding photos are the only thing you have left of your wedding day so maybe it’s worth putting in a little bit of effort to look and feel as good as you can – posed or otherwise.
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