When you think of wedding photography, these classic images are probably the first that spring to mind and definitely your parents’ and grandparents’ minds. It is what you could call the ‘anchor’ shots of the day, the groom and the best man before the ceremony shaking hands, the bride walking down the aisle with dad, signing of the register and of course the family and friends group shots after the ceremony. This was the primary style up until the recent introduction of digital photography. It suited shooting on film, which of course had a direct cost element in the developing and printing of film. Photographers had to manage their costs and therefore they needed to control the photography. Posing key moments and family groups ensured they nailed the principle images and that no one was blinking or not ready and therefore the film was not wasted. These days, this style is often the most dreaded of the day by all concerned!
However, it must be said that some things are traditional because they are a good idea and a smattering of these kind of shots can really hang an album together (and also have the added advantage of making the older folk in your family happy). The personality of the photographer and their creative eye can make all the difference with this style of photography – the days of the photographer barking instructions from behind a tripod are (or at least should be) gone and the group set ups can actually be a fun way for everyone to get together and ‘capture the moment’.
This type of photography is usually presented in what is called an ‘Overlay Album’ which is traditionally a leather bound book type of album with one or two images on a page, surrounded by a shaped frame. Of course, there are lots of variations on a theme these days, with both the covers and overlays having been updated to reflect modern styles by most of the leading album manufacturers.
This style has a fair degree of subject involvement, as the posing requires interaction with your photographer, and for your photographer to interact with your family and friends. Their personality is important, as guests can become irritated with waiting around and jumping in and out of shot when required. A qualified and experienced photographer will know how to work the situation to get the best images with the least involvement from everyone and will always ensure that everyone is having fun!
