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!