Make no mistake – wedding photography does not escape the fashions and trends that move the world along at such a pace. As photographers clamber for market share, the savvy ones will be looking for the Next Big Thing which will set them apart.
A little history first, please…
20 years ago reportage photography - which is capturing a story in a non-posed photograph - was born and it has taken the wedding photography world by storm. Most wedding photographers now claim an element of reportage in their work.
More recently, digital cameras led an assault on the number of images delivered, along with the way wedding photography was priced. It’s usual now for a couple to receive 300-500 good quality images from a full day, which was very unlikely with film photography.
For the last five years computer software has been playing a part too, with post-production techniques originally which were only available to top magazines being available on home computers. These include “selective colour” and automatic skin processing tools. However, these are beginning to become a little cliche and many are abandoning them.
On a less technological theme, “Trash The Dress” has been popular recently, where brides would ruin their expensive wedding dresses after the ceremony by running into the sea, or rolling in the sand. There’s no doubt this distanced them from previous generations, who treasured theirs.
So what will be the Next Big Thing to hit wedding photography in 2010?
When using the latest top-end Canon and Nikon cameras attached to expensive lenses, there is little need to use a flashgun any more. Therefore expect the use of available light to be the order of the day for many photographers – especially those who prefer a reportage style.
Even the dancing doesn't require flash (c) phildweddingphotography.co.uk
Video editing software is now so simple to use, and available so inexpensively, that new art forms are emerging - such as videographers and photographers combining their wares to produce artistic pieces to music. Professional quality video is definitely an emerging format for weddings and super-fast broadband Internet will no doubt hurry this trend along.
An anti-technology movement could also play a part. Many photographers who used to shoot with film are wanting to recapture that magic they felt, before digital. This retro feel could certainly be popular, although couples will have to be content with fewer images than they have become used to.
Some wedding photographers have been breaking out and lighting in more advanced ways than they once were. Lighting equipment is easier to transport and set up, even at wedding-photography-speeds. New “glossy magazine” styles of portraiture could certainly be popular and will look attractive on the mantlepiece.
A more glossy, studio look at a winter wedding (c) phildweddingphotography.co.uk
It’s looking likely that wedding photographers will embrace a “pseudo fashion-shoot” style next as they bring in new areas from their non-wedding photography. This could be very popular since many brides have been brought up with fashion magazines all around them and the idea of their own fashion shoot will be alluring. The results will certainly be interesting to see.
But remember the couples - what do they really want? There will always be some who want to follow the latest trend or fashion. However, timeless, beautiful photography will also remain popular too. It’s remained an attractive proposition for a very good reason: everyone wants to look great on their wedding day, and that is the goal of traditional portraiture.
When looking through your wedding album in 30 years time, will you be happy with what you bought?
Wedding photography by phildweddingphotography.co.uk
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All photographs and materials (c) Phil Drinkwater Photography
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