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Posed vs Unposed Wedding Photos - Busting the "Natural Photos" myth
Today we're tackling the question of natural vs posed photos for your wedding, the real difference that posing makes and why you'll want more posed photos on your wedding day than you realise.
As a professional wedding photographer, I hear this a lot:
"We don't want posed photos, we prefer natural shots - they're much nicer!"
Or:
"We don't like posed photos"
And that's fair enough - everyone has different tastes, wants & needs when it comes to their wedding photographs. But, lets think about this more carefully for a second - what does "natural, unposed photos" actually mean?
Technically, a natural, unposed photo is one where the photographer has no interaction with the subject - it means the photographer simply capturing a moment as it happens. It's also know as "reportage" or "photojournalism" - the idea that the photographer stands on the sidelines and captures everything as it happens without getting involved or directing the photo in any way. The following photo is a perfect example of this:
There are times during the wedding where every photographer, regardless of their style, will shoot natural, unposed photos. The most obvious of these are during the wedding ceremony itself where the photographer doesn't set-up any of the photos, he or she just simply captures the moments as they happen. This kind of coverage also works well for speeches and first dance - lets face it, the photographer doesn't need to set anything up during these times because there's lots of moments happening to photograph. Here's an example from a wedding ceremony:
Photojournalism works during the ceremony because there's plenty happening - the vows, ring exchange, first kiss etc. These happen anyway without the photographer directing it and they make great photos!
But what about the rest of the day? The ceremony's over, the drinks reception's underway - if you're thinking "I want all totally natural, unposed photos", you need to think again. Even a "photojournalist" photographer will need to pose & direct some photos to an extent if you want, say, nice family photos for example. Or how about those romantic shots of the two of you in front of your venue?? Moments like these don't happen unless they're directed and posed.
So, let's test the theory further. Below you'll find some example photos from weddings we've photographed over the years. Have a look, and see if you can tell if they're posed or unposed:
Photo No1 - posed or unposed?
Yup, that's an easy one - this is clearly a posed photo, taken on the roof of the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh.
Photo No 2 - posed or unposed?
Little more tricky this one - if you said "unposed" you'd be wrong - this is actually a posed shot too! The couple were asked to walk hand in hand, one slightly in front of the other whilst looking at each other. This wasn't a natural moment, this wouldn't have happened without direction from me - essentially it was posed to look natural!
Okay, last one:
Photo No 3 - posed or unposed?
If you said "unposed" - WRONG! This is a posed shot - the couple were placed into position with suitable lighting and a decent backdrop, then directed in such a way that caused this reaction from the bride.
The truth of the matter is, all those lovely wedding photos you've been dreaming about won't happen unless your photographer sets them up and directs/poses them. Let's face it, unless someone asks you to go for a walk in front of your venue, you're more than likely to stay in the bar, chatting to your guests.
Now, I'm not saying the whole day should be posed shots - as we've said above, clearly there are points in the day where photojournalism works best and a competent photographer will be able to tell the story of your day in both unposed AND posed photos.
If you're still not convinced, lets consider the reasons why you'll want posed photos:
Posed Photo Reason No 1 - flattery gets you everywhere!
Posing is about much more than just "standing for a photo". It's about being photographed in such a way that flatters you, makes you look your best and hides any issues. Posing is about how you stand and where you position your body, head, arms, legs & feet to produce a flattering result. And who wouldn't want to look their best in their wedding photos?
Posed Photo Reason No 2 - Lighting makes all the difference
Not many people realise that, from a technical point of view, photography isn't about photographing a hill, or a car, or a person - it's about capturing the light reflected off that hill, or car, or person. When it comes to photographing people, the direction & quality of light reflecting off a person affects how they look in a photograph - everything from how large/small they appear, to how young/old they look, how their mood comes across and so much more. That's why it's important to hire a photographer who's skilled in portrait lighting techniques.
Posed Photo Reason No 3 - Camera Angles are everything!
A skilled photographer knows how to use camera angles and different lenses to enhance and flatter their subject. High/Low angles and different zoom settings all have a huge impact on how people look in photographs, and it's all part of the posing process.
Now, if that all sounds terrifyingly complicated and is putting you off the thought of posed photos, this is where your choice of photographer is crucial. A competent, skilled wedding photographer should be able to do all of the above quickly and efficiently, whilst making you feel as comfortable as possible throughout. That's why many of our clients recommend us to others, because it doesn't feel like a chore - and that's a win/win!
One final thought - many people associate the thought of a posed photo with dramatic or edgy photos of models they've seen in magazines. Whilst that's true, wedding posing doesn't have to be this dramatic or edgy - it doesn't need to be!
How Much Are Your Wedding Photographs Worth?
Yesterday I blogged about why price should be the last thing you consider when it comes to choosing a photographer for your wedding. Tonight, we're looking at value. Take a look at this photo.....(try not too laugh too hard):
That's a really old photo of me and my family, taken around 26 years ago. Yeh yeh yeh.....I know! They don't do haircuts like that anymore! I can hear what you're thinking......what's this got to do with wedding photography? Let me explain....
Not long after that photo was taken, I remember my Dad (that's the chap in the red sweater) took the spool down to the chemists and had it printed. We probably looked at it for a few minutes, then it got stuffed in a drawer along with all our other family prints. And I'm sure you can relate - we've all got a drawer like that somewhere in the house! The point is, we didn't really value that photo massively at the time to be fair. How much was it worth? At the time I'd have argued no more than the paper it was printed on.
Fast forward 26 years to the present day, and the power of this really hits home. Two of the people in that photo are no longer with us - sadly my Dad and Grandad passed away a few years after the photo was taken. Out of everyone in the photo, there's only three of us left. A fleeting moment in time, never to be repeated.
I read this somewhere on social media and it's so true:
"People don't value photos until it's all they have left"
Going back to our family photo, sure we didn't value it much at the time but how much is that photo worth now? I'd argue it's priceless. Photographs bring back memories and feelings like nothing else on earth. It's the reason why people will tell you if they could save only one thing from a house fire it'd be their photographs.
So, coming back to the point of this post, how do you put a value on your wedding photos? Now let's make the distinction between value & price again. You can easily find out how much it'll cost to have your wedding photos taken, but how much will they be worth to you? How do you value them in years to come?
You can't. Truly, they're priceless. And they grow more valuable with time.
And now the real point of this post. When It comes to choosing a photographer for your wedding, choose carefully. Don't make price your main concern, because one day, your photos are all you'll have left.
Get in touch now to check availability or to find out more!
Alan Snelling Photography provides high quality wedding photography throughout Edinburgh, Glasgow and beyond. For more information, visit us at www.alansnellingphotography.co.uk
How much should you pay for a wedding photographer?
Now there's a question and a half! I've seen quite a few examples recently on Facebook and elsewhere of complaints and legal cases where a couple feel they've been ripped off by their photographer or they're not happy with the photos their photographer gave them. Sadly these kind of stories are becoming more and more common.
The truth is, it's a fiercely competitive market. There's hundreds of photographers out there, all offering different products, at widely varying prices. I've seen prices as low as £200, and as high as several thousand and everything in between. The good news is, whatever your budget for photos is, you’ll find a photographer that suits what you'd like to spend.
I've always said that when you're planning your wedding you should spend your money on what matters to you most. Everyone has different wants and needs, and different priorities. Some people want an amazing wedding cake for example, a fabulous designer wedding gown or stunning limousines to take them to the church. For others, beautiful flowers are really important to them. At the end of the day, it’s your wedding, you should do it your way!
But, let’s think about it more carefully for a second. After the wedding’s over and you’ve had your 30 minute ride in the luxury Bentley, your cake’s been eaten, and the flowers have wilted, your wedding photos remain as the only permanent reminder of your big day. It really does require a bit more thought.
So let me put it like this. You’ll have your wedding photos for the rest of your lives - does it really make sense to spend less on photos than you’re spending on flowers? Or a cake? Or a limo you’ll be in for 30 minutes??
So how much should you spend on wedding photography? Well, here’s the first important thing you need to know:
Price SHOULD NOT be your main concern when it comes to choosing a photographer for your wedding.
I’ll let you take that in for a second, it’s super-important. If you’re choosing a photographer based mainly on price, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment. This leads perfectly on to the next thing you need to know:
Photography pricing isn’t always a good gauge of quality.
There are some low-budget photographers out there who produce decent results. On the other hand, there are more expensive photographers who produce absolute trash. In reality, there are no rules or regulations to control pricing in the wedding market. Photographers can pretty much charge whatever they want, whether that’s £200 or £2000 and the price alone doesn’t necessarily dictate what sort of quality you’ll get at the end of the day.
We all know the old saying “you get what you pay for” and that’s true of wedding photography too for the most part, but not always. Because of all the reasons I mentioned above, it works the other way too - you could go out and choose a photographer at £3000 because you think “they’re expensive so they must be good”. Trust me, that’s not always the case, as I mentioned there are some photographers out there at the higher end whose products aren’t worth the money they’re charging when it comes to quality. So let me say this again:
Price SHOULD NOT be your main concern when it comes to choosing a photographer for your wedding.
So, going back to the original question – how much should you spend on a photographer? Well, it’s like this – you should spend the money you need to in order to get photos you’ll be happy with but ultimately, before you think about price, you’ll need to:
Look for photographers whose work speaks to you. Do you like their style of photo? Is the quality good enough for you? If these were your wedding photos, would you be happy? Shortlist 3 of your favourite photographers who are produce the kind of photos you really want.
Carefully assess the quality of work each photographer is producing. Does it look professional? Are the photos they’re producing better than what you could do yourself?
Arrange a meeting with the photographers in question. Look at more examples of their work. A competent, professional photographer should have a strong portfolio of consistent work from real weddings they’ve photographed.
Look at examples from more than one wedding, don’t just accept what you see initially. Remember, the work you see to begin with is likely to be their best work. Is this the standard they produce consistently??
Once you’ve done all of the above then, and only then, should you take pricing into account. That way, you’ll be choosing a photographer whose work you’ll be happy with after the wedding.
Now of course, price and affordability are still important. If after doing all of the above research you’ve found a photographer you like that’s in your price range, great! But, I can already tell what you’re thinking - it’s more than likely this:
“That’s all good and well, but what if the photographers I really want are out of my price range?”
And that’s a valid point too. What if you’ve taken all of my advice, carefully selected your 3 favourite photographers, and they’re all more than you wanted to pay?? Well, the important thing is this – if you’ve followed my advice, and selected photographers based first and foremost on the quality and service you want, you’re now making more sensible decisions. Now you can properly assess whether you need to steal money from elsewhere in the wedding budget to get the photographer you want, or whether you do actually need to look for a cheaper deal. Now you’re thinking about more than just price!
I’ll leave you with one final thought. I’m not saying you should always avoid low-budget photographers. Sometimes you just can’t afford something and that’s that. Fair enough. As I mentioned, affordability is still important. But this still applies:
Price SHOULD NOT be your main concern when it comes to choosing a photographer for your wedding.
This still applies, even at the lower end of the market. Why?? Well let me put it like this. As I hinted at above, there are always exceptions to the rule, but generally you get what you pay for. A photographer charging extremely low prices will more than likely produce photos which are no better than your guests could have done with their iPhones – if that’s the case you’d be as well saving your money and letting your guests photograph your wedding for free!
Alan Snelling Photography provides high quality wedding photography throughout Edinburgh, Glasgow & Scotland. For more information and to view more examples of our work, visit www.alansnellingphotography.co.uk
Churches & Photography - Why You Need To Talk to your Celebrant
Your wedding photographs are possibly one of the most important aspects of your day, but not everyone at your wedding appreciates this....
I've photographed hundreds of weddings at churches, chapels, registry offices and venues all over the country and most of the time we're able to get beautiful shots of the ceremony that really help the bride & groom relive their vows. Occasionally however, I'll come across a celebrant, be they a priest, minister or otherwise, who refuses to allow photography during the wedding ceremony.
There can be many reasons why a celebrant won't allow photos during your ceremony but most of the time, it's because they've had a bad experience in the past with another photographer. I'll often hear stories about other photographers interfering with the ceremony, making lots of noise and generally being a nuisance. I've even heard of photographers climbing over pews during the ceremony, or popping up in-between the priest and the couple during the vows!
Unfortunately us photographers tend to get "tarred with the same brush" and as a result of past bad experiences, strict rules are put into place by the celebrant to prevent a repeat occurrence. This is a real shame, as it means future brides and grooms won't have any photographs from their ceremony to look back on.
So, what can you do?? Well, if having a permanent record of your ceremony in photographs is important to you, there's two things you can do:
- Talk to your photographer and air your concerns. A good photographer knows how to capture a wedding ceremony with the minimum of inconvenience to all the participants. Personally-speaking, as a photographer I'm very respectful of the wedding ceremony. I'll choose a spot in the church and stick to it (usually well out of the way - I can capture the details will a long zoom lens), move around as little as possible, make as little noise as possible and not use flash so there's no distractions. Make sure your photographer adopts this way of working too so there's no issues on the day.
- Most importantly, talk to your celebrant and tell them your feelings - you've got a right to have your ceremony photographed regardless of the celebrant's rules. Re-assure your minister or priest you've discussed this with your photographer so they know what to expect. Remind the celebrant that photos are important to you and ask them to reconsider their photography ban.
Ultimately, your photographer will need to abide by the rules set by the celebrant but you may be able to negotiate with your minister or priest so that everyone's happy. After all, if it's ok for a Royal wedding in the highest church in the country to be televised & photographed by an army of TV crew & photographers, I'm sure your own priest or minister can allow it too!
Whilst we're on the subject of photos in church, it's well worth asking your guests not to take photos inside the church once you've arrived. I've lost count of the number of times a guest has ruined an otherwise beautiful photo of a bride walking down the aisle by standing in front the official photographer trying to take photos on their own phones or cameras. Tell your guests to leave their cameras and phones in the bag and enjoy the ceremony - leave the photography to the professionals (this may also help reassure your minister or priest that the ceremony won't end up as a photographers circus!)
A Photo isn't a photo until it's printed...
"A photo isn't a photo until it's printed"
I read that on a wedding website last week and it really resonated with me. I've got to say, I reckon that's true. There's something nice about a photo you can touch & feel. We all consume images in different ways now, amazing advancements in technology mean we can carry our photos in our pockets on our phones, view them online, on computer etc. I have to say I love the way technology has revolutionised photography.
But what happens in the next 10 - 20 years when technology changes? Look how far we've come in the last 10-15 years - who knows what technology we'll be using to view our photos on in 20 years time. What happens when those DVDs no longer work in your computer because your brand new computer no longer has a DVD drive? Or worse still, what happens when your hard drive fails?? What's the answer?? Print your photos! And this is where a wedding album comes into play.
A professionally-designed wedding album will show off your precious wedding photos for years to come, no matter how our technology changes. You'll never need to worry about your wedding album "running out of battery"!! I've also often heard people say "yeh, you buy a wedding album and it just sits in the cupboard, no-one looks at it". Maybe that's true for the first few years. But keep in mind, your wedding album gets more valuable as the years pass - it's something physical you can see and touch, which brings memories of loved ones and special times flooding back in detail.
So, if you've got your precious wedding photos hiding unseen on a hard drive somewhere, or you've still to book your wedding photographer, give us a shout! We offer luxurious hand-made Italian wedding albums that come with a lifetime guarantee, for a special product that will truly last. Get in touch today :-)
Loch Lomond Wedding Photography - Pamela & William
Everyone loves a Scottish wedding, and where better to celebrate your wedding than on the shores of Loch Lomond?? This time we're off to Lodge on Loch Lomond for Pam & William's wedding, taken last summer. Summer weddings don't always guarantee summer weather, and we had our fair share of rain at this wedding. it just goes to show that you can still make the most of it, no matter what! Our day started off at Pamela's parents' house, as we photographed the girls getting ready. Pamela's folks had a lovely big garden, and so with the sun shining we did some family shots there before leaving for Lodge On Loch Lomond. Even their dog managed to get a few poses in!!
We arrived at Loch Lomond and got ready for Pamela's arrival, in time to catch some guests arriving.
The ceremony room at Lodge on Loch Lomond has a fab view over the Loch itself, and made a fab backdrop a lovely ceremony.
After the wedding, the weather turned for the worse and so we made the most of that lovely big window for their family shots.
After we had finished some family photos, Pamela & William made the decision to brave the horrible weather and head out with umbrellas into the rain, for some romantic bride & groom photos on the shores of Loch Lomond.
Just as they got to the end of the jetty, the rain came thundering down even heavier - the results are fab though!!
Soon it was time for the speeches and wedding meal and so we headed in out of the rain.
After the meal was over, luckily the rain stopped and so we headed out again to get some shots of William and his guys.
There was a dramatic sky developing over Loch Lomond and so we headed back down to the lochside to take some more shots on the beach and at Luss Pier.
The day went so quickly and before long it was time for the first dance and the end of our coverage of Pamela & William's day. Thanks again to Pamela & William, their family and friends for having us along, it was a pleasure!!
Edinburgh Zoo Wedding - Jaimie & Louise
You wouldn't think Edinburgh Zoo would be an obvious place to get married, would you?? Think again!!! Last year during the summer we had the pleasure of photographing Jaimie & Louise's wedding at The Zoo and, I have to say, what a superb venue!! Here's the story of their wedding day! The day started off at Louise's parents house in Edinburgh, as we photographed the girlies getting ready. Naturally some friends and family popped round to see Louise before she headed off to the wedding.
The bridal preparations went smoothly and the morning passed so quickly, it was soon time for Louise to put her fab dress on and get some photos with Dad before leaving for The Zoo.
As we arrived at the Zoo on a busy Saturday afternoon, everyone waived to Louise as she arrived in the wedding car!
The wedding ceremony took place in the Pavilion at Edinburgh Zoo, and the ceremony room was lovely and light. Jaimie looked proud as punch when he saw Louise coming down the aisle.
It was a glorious summers day and so we got all their wedding photos done outside in the gardens in front of the pavilion itself.
The speeches and meal went well, and before long it was almost time for the evening wedding reception. We managed to get some photos with their friends, before heading in for the first dance.
Thanks again to Jaimie & Louise, their family and friends for making us so welcome at the wedding. What a laugh we had!!!
Ballathie House Wedding Photography - Sarah & Iain
Thought I'd share some photos from Sarah & Iain's fabulous Ballathie House wedding from last summer. This was our first visit to Ballathie House and I have to say, we absolutely loved it!! The day was made even more special by Sarah & Iain, their family and friends who were such a good laugh - just check out some of those poses!!!!! Thanks again for having us along!!!
Megan & Jeremy's Fab Balbirnie House Wedding
Here's a few preview shots from Megan & Jeremy's wedding yesterday at Balbirnie House. We were so lucky with the weather - we drove through four seasons on our way to Balbirnie but the sun came out after the ceremony. Just check out those colours!! We had a great time with Megan & Jeremy and their families, thanks so much again for having us along!!
