Creating editorial wedding photography with GMG Creative:
Traditional wedding photography churns out classic, posed images of people and places. With it, you’ll find there are hefty doses of direction to set up the shot, and often this can feel awkward and too staged for you standing in front of the camera.
In contrast to this, a photojournalistic methodology is very hands-off. There is a greater emphasis on storytelling; a photojournalist observes and records rather than interacts with the people and details. The results are more emotional photographs that highlight the feelings of wedding participants.
Today, it’s trendy for photographers to blend elements of both in their telling of the wedding story. Editorial wedding photography unifies elements of posed fine art with the details of documentary storytelling. With this approach, photographers capture the unique personality and story of you as a couple, alongside candid emotions, real-life shots and the connections you have with those you’ve chosen to share your day.
“It’s all about showcasing connection, emotion and art.”
You might describe it as modern, unposed and natural photography. At GMG Creative, it’s all about showcasing connection, emotion and art.
Where does editorial photography originate?
The roots of editorial wedding photography are in fashion photography, where expressive compositions are mixed with complementary lighting and angles.
The setting for photographs is a point of emphasis as editorial photography uses the natural surroundings to complement the photo. For example, a couple who would smile for the camera in front of a wall can instead head outside or somewhere more aesthetically pleasing where there will be better lighting, more texture and other details to compliment the shot.
How does editorial photography become artistic storytelling?
An editorial photographer won’t melt into the background as much as a reportage style photographer. An editorial photographer tends to think creatively and looks for themes throughout your day.
They may suggest ideas such as where the light is best in the room for your ‘getting ready shots’. They can use sun position apps to understand what time of day and location in the venue will be best for your couple shoot. They may occasionally direct with poses etc. They’re artistic in their approach.
With creative editorial wedding photography, portraits and details take on new, beautiful meanings, with layers of variety and splendour. There exists an element of freedom to photograph beyond the specific constructs of the wedding: blue sky which matches the bride’s eyes; the local flora at the venue; or rain droplets on a dressing room’s window. Therein is the appeal. No longer is the wedding narrative just pictures of the couple but rather of their story interwoven with the beautiful surroundings, friends, family and small details.
How does effective cooperation between the client and photographer help serve the editorial process?
A wedding timeline must take advantage of the venue setting and lighting conditions. Beautiful editorial wedding photography requires adequate time allotted throughout certain portions of the day. Organisation ahead of the wedding is vital for this.
For example, sunset can be a beautiful time of day to factor into your wedding timeline. The warm sunset glow (a.k.a. golden hour) offers stunning lighting, which creates gorgeous wedding photos. Perhaps there are colourful botanical gardens at your wedding venue which will make a lovely backdrop to your couple shoot. This is why it’s important the client and photographer can have these kinds of creative discussions ahead of the wedding.
Engagement shoots are not only fun but provide an additional way for the client to become accustomed to editorial photography.
If possible, pre-visits to the venue can help the photographer get a feel for the vibe and how they can make the photos personal to you.
Pre-wedding questionnaires and shot lists can also be great for organising details and are both tools that reiterate the rhythm for the wedding day, which assists in creating a beautiful narrative.
Open conversations and creative brainstorms help set the creative tone and allow for mutual understanding, trust and expectations between you and your photographer.
In conclusion…
Curating an editorial wedding narrative takes creativity, thoughtful planning, trust and open communication.
Importantly, your unique love story and the personality of your togetherness will always take centre stage of the photographer’s creative vision.
