Wedding Photojournalist Margaret River

Wedding photojournalism is a a phrase or term that can be wrongly used by some conventional wedding photographers in their marketing. So, here is some information to help you choose the best photographer that will match the wedding experience you want.

What can confuse people is that there are a few terms used to describe this style. Here are the popular phrases used; documentary wedding photography, natural wedding photography, reportage wedding photography and wedding photojournalism. All intrinsically linked to a genre that is removed from posing people, faking moments, performing for the photographer and direction.

Wedding photojournalists won’t ask you all to jump, pretend to talk to one another or pick the bride up. They will instead be there to photograph authentic honest interactions, details that will trigger memory of colours and atmosphere.

There is spontaneity in their work because it’s exactly what they seek to photograph.

What is wedding photojournalism?

A wedding photojournalist is a photographer that embarks on recording hundreds of genuine exchanges and interactions between everyone at your wedding. I mention everyone because a photojournalists end product is to create a story for you. A set of images that combine to form an authentic and honest narrative of your wedding day. So, that must include all characters in the story as well as the bride and groom.

People that like wedding photojournalism, value the idea of being able to remember their wedding day in years to come. Their photos are more timeless, real and not staged. So they tend to last as precious memories to relive together and enjoy, rather than hide in the cupboard because they are dated and corny.

How wedding photojournalism is successful in Margaret River.

Margaret River weddings are very relaxed and enjoyable experiences. The South West region is a popular holiday destination, so people tend to book a few days either side of the wedding to really enjoy it. This happy vibe comes through in the photos and makes the life of a wedding photojournalist that much easier.

For large sections of the wedding the photojournalist is blending into the background, mingling with the guests and photographing moments naturally. When people are happy, relaxed and having fun they look amazing. The last thing they need is direction because they have had their hair done, they have invested in a beautiful outfit and they are happy. Unless they are in shocking lighting the photojournalist will capture moments without saying a word.

Which Margaret River wedding venues suit photojournalism the best?

Personally I love the all in one resort style venues because it is the most relaxed option. So that would be venues like Pullman Resort Bunker Bay, Eight Willows Retreat and Ramada Resort Dunsborough for instance but there are heaps more.

That doesn't mean that venues like Credaro Wines and Black Brewing Co are also very well suited to this photojournalistic style. Once you have arrived for your ceremony you can keep on the property and everything is there for you.

Wedding Photojournalists can direct people.

Sometimes people ask me, “do I direct any photos?” and the answer is yes absolutely I can direct large groups of people at wedding and I can take control; when required.

I have photographed many large Italian weddings in Perth and Fremantle so I know all about taking control and getting things moving to a timeline.

Typically at a wedding I will photograph a number of directed family group photos, bridal party photos and bride and groom photos. The amounts of photos and the photo durations are planned with you before your wedding day to save anything being missed.

People skills are essential to be a great wedding photojournalist.

To be accepted as a wedding guest is all about people skills. You don’t want to be the centre of attention at a wedding with your every move being watched. You also don’t want to have to resort to being sneaky to photograph natural moments either.

Essentially you want people at your wedding to consider your photographer as one of them. Kind of like a wedding guest. That allows a wedding photojournalist to mingle, blend in when required and photograph natural moments without people freezing when they go to take a photo.

Anticipating natural moments.

A wedding photojournalist is passionate about people and the genuine exchanges that occur when people are happy and emotional. I love people, I am a bit of a people watcher. I love the happy interactions that people share at particular moments at weddings,

The more you photograph weddings in this photojournalistic style the greater your anticipation becomes at reading people. I tend to find myself naturally in the right position at the right time now. Some skills I have accumulated over years of experience and a passion to create natural authentic wedding photography.

I used to get twenty awesome natural wedding photographs at a wedding but I now get hundreds of them.

Can a conventional wedding photographer do wedding photojournalism.

Wedding photographers tend to work from a photo shot list, you know the ones you find in wedding blogs that tell you the photos you must have. Having worked as a wedding photographer for quite a few years, I found in my experience that when you are shooting to a list your main goal is to get everything on that list.

The lists are very elaborate, involving multiple combinations which historically comes from when wedding studios tried to sell as many pages in an album as they could to make more money.

Shooting to a list can distract you from the natural moments in between. The clients get their collection of staged photos but very little real moments of emotion and interaction. There are fewer photos that show the atmosphere at your wedding, the personalities and characters that you love.

How wedding photojournalism effects your wedding day experience.

If you shy away from the camera, feel awkward when being photographed and shiver at the idea of staged photos, you should consider hiring a wedding photojournalist.

Also, when you imagine your day to be fun, relaxing and flowing, you are also leaning towards this style.

If the idea of being away from your guests for a considerable time isn’t sitting right with you, then a photojournalist will be better utilised to capture all of the fun and laughter naturally for you.

A photojournalist will allow you to be relaxed and present on your wedding day. You can concentrate on spending time enjoying the company of the loved ones you have invited. Your wedding photojournalist will direct when required at a time you have organised and for an agreed number of images.