posing versus natural, candid photo journalism

in wedding photography

As a wedding photographer I am being asked by almost every couple if I can direct them and show them what to do during their wedding day. Let’s face it, not everyone is a model and posing in front of a camera is not that easy for someone who has nothing to do with modelling in real life. EVERYONE want to look at their best during their happy day.

I do have a very small percentage of people coming and saying that they do not want stiff and cheese poses and they want natural shots. ALl sounds nice and sweet, however that means they do not want me to arrange people and make sure they get photos of all relatives or guests? Are they going to come back to me after they see their photos,  upset that uncle Bill will not be in the photos anywhere? Everyone without exception wish to have uncle Bill as well, as he is part of the family even of he does not want to be photographed.

That poses the question: do you truly believe that a full natural and photo journalistic observer during a wedding , who does not interfere with the event at all is able to get all the necessary shots?

I strongly believe that is your responsibility as a people photographer to make sure you get the best. It is a matter of stepping up when necessary and take action, that means directing people and interfering with the wedding to get what you are paid to do,  and allow the event to take its natural course when appropriate

I have seen many other photographers claiming to have a pure natural and photo journalistic style. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I believe this hides the easy way out of taking the responsibility. It is easier to pretend to have a non-intrusive style, stand back in the shadow and produce candid unposed image, than actually take action and make people move. It is easy to say I am a natural photographer as it sounds good, and sometimes people fall for that as they see other examples when other people look unnatural. Of course, not everyone is a good photographer and there are plenty of poor wedding images out there.

I believe it is your responsibility as a photographer to get the best out of people, intervene when necessary, make people comfortable in front of the camera and help them to become natural in their element. it is you!

I believe that any photographer working with people should develop the skills to instruct the models, professional or not, what to do, and how to pose for better results. As a professional image creator, you know what looks better. People do not arrange themselves and they do not know what to do and how to act in front of your camera, especially in a wedding situation.

if I burn my toast, I can blame the toaster, I can blame the bread, but it is all on me.

So in conclusion, if you shoot weddings, be prepared to take action, make things happen, as I can tell from my own experience, if I do not get people to do a group shot, they will never arrange themselves. So let’s be honest…can you say you can be just an observer? can you put your hand on your heart and say you are a true photo journalist and record the event without making a difference? can you seriously provide one set of photos with no poses at all?

please watch the video above - posing versus natural, candid photo journalism in wedding photography

Any feedback below is welcomed!

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