A tried-and-true approach if you adhere to the photojournalistic style of wedding portraiture is to consider 'scenarios' rather than 'shots' for your subjects. There is a certain amount of work you will need to put into the production of the portrait session, and I find myself putting together a storyline of 'scenarios', rather than 'shots' or 'poses', which help alleviate the couple's mentality that the portrait session is a fleeting, nervous time where shots and smiles may just not fall right. As much as a couple may come asking for me to pose them and appoint my artistic style on the shoot, I insist that such imposition is hardly the case. Our artistry as photojournalists lies in our excellence to script narratives via the photographic medium that are sensible to the couple's story. This makes it all the more important to conduct thorough interviews with our clients and understand their story.
In this scenario, Stephen and Jessica decided to stage their first-look under a willow tree at Verona Park in East Orange, New Jersey. Although there was some deal of scripting beforehand, we allowed them to naturally approach one another. A key for wedding photojournalists is to refrain from imposing on a moment and allowing the narrative to flow through the images produced. An occasional 'look at the camera' during a moment is welcomed (and displayed below), but the process is to selectively curate those shots that evoke the story of the day rather than acquiring a certain look. Another key is to advise your subjects for relaxed postures when necessary, and avoid insisting on awkward poses. Couples may love your photos but they will always remember much more how their photographer made them feel on the day of their wedding.
Minnow Park and I shot this lovely August wedding. Stephen and Jessica were just wonderful to work with!
-Albert
October 14, 2011 