So I’ve had a little time to reflect on our wedding work now that the summer season has come to an end. It’s interesting to look back through the sessions and spot the times when we tried something new or different.

It’s not always possible to try something new of course – the opportunity is not always there. It can depend on many things – time constraints, weather, the subjects. Everything has to come together and you have to get some nice solid work before you can go experimenting to capture a really unique shot.

Personally, I think this experimentation is what keeps me going though. One good example stems from something that we tried last year. We had started shooting “candid” style before (aka casual, unposed, documentary, there are about a dozen terms I’ve seen (ab)used), but this one couple didn’t want to pose for anything. It was pretty much a “last minute” wedding, with just the major events and venues booked. Nothing beyond the bare minimum in terms of planning really. Basically the couple had everything arranged, but didn’t stress about the details to the point where it wasn’t fun anymore.

Simply put, the pictures from that wedding came out fantastic. Looking back, it’s clear to see what happened. As we were given the freedom to shoot at will, we were able to capture the natural mood of the bride and groom. We approached or interrupted them just a few times during the whole day, which gave them a type of freedom as well – to be happy and just enjoy each other. In the end, the pictures would tell a story.

So this produces a totally different technique of shooting (I think I got into that a bit before). It was nothing new – in all the weddings previous we had tried to shoot that “photojournalstic” style whenever we could. But we began to talk… How great it would be to shoot in this style exclusively? How far away was that day? We are in Newfoundland – tradition can’t be chucked. Can it?

Then people started to place orders for enlargements, and that answer became clear. They were not ordering the family shot. Not the one of them looking at each other, holding hands either. They already had that from Walmart. They were ordering the shot with both of them laughing. The shot of them sneaking a kiss. The shot of just their hands. Out with tradition? It seemed that way.

I came to the realization that this job didn’t have to be at all like my previous photography gig – and let me tell you – that was a relief.

So in the few years since we’ve started this web site, there has been a trend that, while at first was small, has now become very wide-spread. Initially there were just a few photographers doing it – they were shooting “fun posed” shots and labeling them “photojournalstic”. Now, many photographers do it. The actual, real definition of the term comes from journalism – you know that quote – it’s the “first rough draft of history”. Photojournalism defines a situation where the photographer is documenting an event, as it happens. In other words, for this application “when the subject is not aware of the camera”. But that definition, in my mind, became confused before it became clear.

We questioned the work. Ours and others. We became very critical, mostly of our own. We wanted to do it right. I noticed that when it worked, it really worked.

So, here we are, after a busy year, trying to define our style. While editing, I like to ask myself – “did they know I got that shot?” Is it “real”. Is it emotion?

There is a group that knows. I’ve been looking at the work their members produce on and off for years. The standards are high, and I didn’t know if they’d see that in my work. A few weeks ago I asked them, and I’m glad to say that they did. See what they’re all about on the WPJA web site.

So, starting in 2007, we’ll be shooting in this candid, documentary style as often as our existing clients will allow.

This new direction can perhaps be best summarized by the following quote from the WPJA.

“It is our goal to use photography to tell the story of your wedding day, not dictate it for you.”

We will of course honour any previous commitments and accommodate existing clients regarding expectations for traditional posed portraits. For everyone else – those clients who have booked us based solely on examination of, and appreciation for, the candid work on our web site – we think that they’ll be pleasantly surprised with the way a casual approach can capture the true spirit of the day.

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