What defines “wedding portrait”?
It seems simple enough. In wedding photojournalism, traditions and artistic sensibility often combine. Is it a portrait or a special moment? The lines can be blurred. Generally a portrait is a staged image of a person who sits for the camera, usually highlighting the face and reflecting the personality of the subject, but it is not always so. The image can be in silhouette instead of facing the camera, which is the most common method. The relationship between the subjects’ and the camera is one defining attribute of a portrait. Is it obvious the people are aware of the camera? When the subjects know they are getting their picture taken the photo is no longer candid. Even if it is unintentional, they present themselves differently, put their “best foot forward” so to speak. Because of this, the image is not as authentic and true to life as a candid shot.
THE LOOK
How can we tell if the bride and groom know they are being photographed? If they are looking into the camera we can see it in their eyes. They look posed, they play to the camera. The bride probably wouldn’t throw up her arms like she was crossing a finish line if she was unaware of the camera. Likewise the groomsmen would not turn to the photographer, glasses raised in unison, like they were supporting the groom, if they didn’t see the camera. When people are photographed looking directly into the camera, we are stepping away from photojournalism and moving into portraiture. Their actions and reactions are no longer completely spontaneous. They are, more or less, self-conscious of their looks and actions. They know their likeness is being captured. They peer into the lens and do their best to project a positive image.
PURPOSES OF PORTRAITS
Regarding the question of whether or not there is still merit and value in portraits in niches of photography such as photojournalism for weddings, it can be said that portraits do, in fact, have purpose. Part of the whole allure of weddings is the traditional aura that surrounds them and this traditional aura is most definitely amplified through the art of the portrait. As is suggested by The Wedding Photojournalist Association, between twenty and thirty-five out of a hundred photographs in a wedding portfolio should be portraits whilst the reminder should be spontaneous shots that capture candid moments. This is due to the issue that comes from too much stilted portraiture of weddings and not enough realistic photos that capture the feeling of the event. Although there is high merit and importance in portraits of a wedding they should not be the key aspect of wedding photography. It is the job of a wedding photographer to create lasting images of the event how it really occurs, not create a false image of the wedding.
PORTFOLIOS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE
Due to the changing technologies of this generation in contrast to previous ones, the Internet is a key factor in modern society. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that a photojournalist’s portfolio that they place online is a good demonstration of what their work really consists of. It is in this way that they will draw in customers. For a wedding photographer, their online portfolio should consist mostly of candid and unstructured photos, demonstrating the reality of the weddings. This will draw in customers who want their wedding photographs to have a natural feel, and they will likely hire the photographer on the basis of their online portfolio alone. Consistency in portfolio and consequent photographs is important so that customers will be pleased that when their photos turn out as they expected. To successfully incorporate portraits into a portfolio Roberts says it is best to place them in a gallery together. When portraits are placed in amongst candid and more authentic photographs there is a feeling of disjointedness and a lack of flow. The stilted nature of the portraits is more heavily emphasized this way then when they are viewed in succession separate of the other photographs.
MAINTAINING AN IDEAL EQUILIBRIUM
There is a specific balance that must be struck in photojournalism of weddings to create the perfect feel and structure for portfolios. Photographers must find a perfect combination between incorporating traditional wedding portraits with more modern candid shots. Although this is not an easy task, it is very much doable by a skilled and professional photojournalist.