a word about Photojournalism

 For all you brides out there who must be wondering who is a photojournalist and who isn’t, boy do I have news for you…  So many photographers claim to be a “photojournalist” when many don’t know the meaning of the word.  One might wonder about the fraud factor involved in claiming to be a “journalist” while posing people and staging shots.  Fact is that being a full time photojournalist is darn near impossible!  I tried it myself and just found it wasn’t going to be practical with traditionally posed wedding parties, family group shots not to mention traditionally posed shots of the bride in her gown were on the agenda for the day… 

Photojournalism basically means you should not pose or preplanned shots.  Just as the true journalist in the field cannot preplan the news a wedding journalist should not preplan wedding moments.  Now, how does one pull this off when Mother of the bride is describing is exactly the opposite?  AHHH, here comes the beauty of working with a photographer who actually has the ability of pulling off more than one technique.  What a marvelous idea!  Yes, it is actually possible to have your cake and eat it too…  I’ve seen it done!!!  How about 80% photojournalism (bride getting ready, groom getting ready, the actual ceremony & reception) and 20% traditional posed group shots with the occasional fun twist (bride being picked up by groomsmen, bridesmaids blowing kissing at the groom).  Add in a few nice staged bride and groom shots that are made to look “journalistic” and you’ve got that perfect magazine look that you were after and Mom will have the posed shots that she wanted!

Finally: Get Mom on Board!  Most brides don’t realize just how much influence Mom may have on their wedding photography decisions.  Mom may even have the most influence on the majority of the shots taken on the wedding day!  So, here’s the dilemma; at what point do you involve Mom in your decision and how involved do you want her to be in the photography process?  After all, things have changed and you may want a totally different wedding photography experience than she had…  Let me suggest that you get Mom on board right away!!!  She’ll need lots of support from you and your photographer.  If she seems a little overly eager, that’s because she’s just excited for you!  Let her join you when you visit photographers and ease her into the “NEW” way of the “JOURNALISTIC” wedding and “STAGING” things to get those magazine looks that you want!  She’ll get on board before you know it!