In the luxurious world of wedding planning, every couple yearns for the perfect day that mirrors the glossy images seen in magazines and top-tier wedding blogs.
However, there’s a hidden facet of the photography industry that might be skewing perceptions: styled wedding shoots. While these shoots can be stunningly beautiful, they often create unrealistic expectations for couples, leaving them puzzled when their own wedding photos don’t match the fantasy.
Understanding Styled Shoots
A styled wedding shoot is an orchestrated event designed to showcase the talents of wedding planners, photographers, and other vendors. These shoots involve meticulous planning of every detail from the wedding dress, accessories, and floral arrangements to the venue and decorations, all handpicked or custom-made to ensure an aesthetically pleasing tableau. Models are often employed to play the bride and groom, offering physical ideals that might not represent an average couple.
Unlike a real wedding, a styled shoot is devoid of the day’s inherent pressures. There are no looming timelines, no anxious parents or a boisterous wedding party to manage. Photographers have the luxury to shoot under optimal conditions, choosing the perfect time of day for the best light, and can even pause or redo shots as desired. Weather conditions are carefully accounted for, and if something doesn’t go as planned, there’s always a chance for a redo on another day. This controlled environment is worlds apart from the dynamic, at times chaotic nature of an actual wedding day.
The Misrepresentation
Emerging photographers, eager to break into the industry and create an appealing portfolio, often turn to styled shoots to display their capabilities. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this practice, the issue arises when these images are not clearly distinguished from real wedding photos on photographers’ websites or social media.
To the untrained eye, these shoots appear as epitomes of what one could expect from their own wedding photography. However, they do not accurately represent a photographer’s ability to navigate the fast-paced environment of a real wedding, where unique challenges arise, and spontaneous moments must be captured as they happen.
What to Look Out for When Choosing Your Wedding Photographer
When perusing potential photographers for your special day, it’s crucial to discern between images from real weddings and styled shoots.
Here are some tips to guide you:
Diverse Galleries: Look for a photographer with a portfolio that includes a variety of real weddings. The presence of different venues, lighting conditions, and scenarios is a good indicator of experience.
Real Moments: Genuine interactions, such as the laughter during speeches, tears during the ceremony, or the chaos of the dance floor, are telltale signs of actual wedding photography.
Client Testimonials: Reviews and testimonials from past clients can provide insights into how the photographer handled the pressures of a real wedding day.
Transparency: Professional photographers should be transparent about what images in their portfolio are from styled shoots. Don’t hesitate to ask them directly.
Meet the Photographer: An in-person or virtual meeting can help you gauge their personality and approach, ensuring they can handle the stress and fast pace of your wedding day.
Conclusion
While styled shoots are a beautiful source of inspiration and a testament to creative possibilities, they do not always represent the reality of wedding photography. As you delve into planning your luxurious wedding, take care to ensure that the images that have captured your heart are rooted in reality and that your chosen photographer can truly capture the essence of your day — with all its imperfect perfections.
By being diligent in your research and understanding the context behind the beautiful images, you can set realistic expectations and ensure that your wedding photos reflect your day wonderfully and truly.