Traditional Wedding Photography

I've seen so many bad formal group shots that I'd never knock good traditional wedding photography. Digital cameras have made this task a lot easier, because at the very least you can see if people's eyes are open!

When choosing a wedding photographer,have a look at their group shots. Here's my top 10 list of things to look out for:

1. Are everybody's eyes open?

2. Is there hair blown across anybody's face?

3. Is the wedding dress neatly arranged?

4. Can you spot any cow's udders (fingers should be slightly tucked in instead of pointing straight)?

5. Are the guests slotted in neatly with each other or do they look disorganised?

6. Is everybody squinting? (You probably know how annoying it is to have your photo taken when the sun is so bright in your eyes you can't see anything! Your photographer should be able to use a flash to combat this).

7. Likewise, are there shadows covering everyone's faces? Another problem that can be solved by flash.

8. Are there any lamp posts/trees/signs sticking out of the tops of peoples' heads?

9. Is there too much sky in the shot? (IMO group photos look best if shot in the shade e.g. under a tree, and/or up against some sort of background so the horizon line doesn't distract attention).

10. Can you see everyone's faces? If there are so many people in the shot that it needs two rows, the photographer should look to arrange the rows on a slope or a set of steps so everyone's faces will be visible.

In my experience a lot of people say they want reportage shots, but can't resist a bit of traditional wedding photography as well. Even though they say they don't like really like it or want it, they feel like they dare not have it! I?ve not got a problem with this really - it's all part of the wedding day!

Actually, I've been a guest at a wedding where the photographer did the formals at the reception venue instead of the church, and afterwards all the guest were milling around not really knowing what to do. It was like they needed a photographer to tell them what to do next!

I think there'll always be a place for traditional wedding photography, because as most people are dressed to the nines, the full length shots show off everyone's outfits. They also look good on Grandma's sideboard!

One last thing to consider is allocating enough time for group photos. For example, if a photographer has a list of 20 group photos to take (they soon add up!) and each takes approximately three minutes to gather everyone up, that's an hour gone already.

Please spare a thought for the photographer at this point, because before long guests are going to get fidgety, the organiser is going to get stressed because the venue manager is pressuring him to hurry things along, and the caterers are getting annoyed because the food is ready but the guests are nowhere to be seen! So the photographer's getting it from all sides, but he's only trying to follow the list of shots that the bride gave him!

The bottom line is to allow enough time for formal photos - 3 to 4 minutes for each shot. Or if time is short, reduce the number of photos...simple!

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