Blue Ridge Wedding Photography-Image Timing and Client Connection

Blue Ridge Wedding Photography-Image Timing and Client Connection. The critical connection between client connection and image timing.

Blue Ridge Wedding Photography-Image Timing and the Client Connection. When discussing image timing, especially in photojournalism, one thinks of those great captured peak moments. But when we are speaking of image timing in wedding photography photojournalism it is still peak moments, but those peak moments may well be more personal and personalized than standard photojournalism.

To successfully nail image timing that is valuable to your clients you need a strong client connection. You need to know them, know their story. It is important to understand what they see in each other.  In short, you need to love your clients to the point you are inside their hearts and can anticipate great timing on their day. You can read more about how valuable client connection is HERE:

And where we have discussed it HERE:

There are two types of photojournalist image timing, in our opinion. One, is the generalist image timing in a peak moment that is public and generally understood for it’s content. The second type, and one we love, is the highly personalized peak moment. This type may well NOT be understood by general view but is highly important to the individual, close family etc.

These images happen when you have taken the time to be close to your clients and are willing to shoot what is important TO THEM.

Images for competitions and the iconic “hero shots” are awesome, but we never pursue those to the detriment of those sometimes quieter, smaller moments that speak volumes to our clients.

I would stress here that when speaking of those image timing moments and  moments that may be highly individualized, not all may appear as unique. A bride and groom can finish their session, be about to walk back in and be introduced and if the groom grabs her and pulls her to him in an embrace and kiss that was not directed, that too qualifies as a client unique moment.

In closing, image timing should be married to the client connection. It is also why we refer to our work as “stories of the heart” and why we say we shoot with our hearts on the shutter, and it looks like this…

Blue Ridge Wedding Photography Wedding Photojournalism. We are John & Tamera Webb. We own and operate a wedding photography studio in Blue Ridge Georgia. Today we would like to talk about Wedding Photojournalism.

Whether you are in Blue Ridge Georgia or other parts of the country, what does Wedding Photojournalism mean to you?

Many people in our experience confuse the terms “candid” and wedding photojournalism. The dictionary refers to candid as “informal or natural; especially caught off guard or unprepared.

However, that same dictionary defines photojournalism as ” journalism that presents a story primarily through the use of pictures”

We can then see the relationship between the two terms. Wedding Photojournalism however is using a series of images to tell a story. Yes, many or most of those images are “candid” in the sense the subject is unaware of every image being covered, but the skill for the photographer comes from understanding how to weave the documentary aka “candid” with powerfully prepared images to tell a complete story.

In our opinion, I would further state that “candid” as the definition supports, could lead to a collection of haphazard images that do not collectively relive the day.  A true and experienced professional photographer should capture images that are not only “candid” but truly photojournalistic to tell a story of a day filled with love and meaning.

Telling the story is a HUGE part of designing, building and delivering the wedding album. As you’ve read if you’ve been following our blog, what we believe is the very first family heirloom.

A trained professional wedding photojournalist is not just taking images that are “candid”. They are taking true photojournalistic images and building a story that will be timeless.

If you are searching for a professional wedding photographer that specializes in true photojournalism, check out some specific organizations such as the AGWPJA, or The Artistic Guild of Wedding Photojournalist Association. You can check them out HERE:

We are John & Tamera Webb. We shoot with our hearts on the shutter and it looks like this….

We are John & Tamera Webb, your Blue Ridge Wedding Photographer. Today we would like to talk about one of our favorite features when photographing your couple, the “Weddingscape”.

The term , and first example of this type of photography, that I ever saw was by the fabulous Marcus Bell.

You certainly can see other examples of that particular style in use by other professional photographers. What we try to do with our clients is to emphasize that the weddingscape is intended to be wall art, and large wall art at that. Think nothing smaller than a 16×20 and we much prefer 20×30.

One thing to keep in mind is that there is more to executing a weddingscape that just sticking your couple out there and shooting.

We like to prepare them with suggestions or hints that will trigger an action and reaction.

Once your couple is set-up, give them time to ease into the area and the interaction with each other. Go for a series of shots to capture the milliseconds of emotion and facial expressions etc.

One advantage you have is you will normally be shooting this, regardless of your lens choice, so far off the couple that their ability to relax and be themselves with each other should be pronounced.

I will often ask them to stay put while I check a few things, intentionally dropping my camera while keeping an eye on them. As soon as I get the moment I was waiting for, you quickly raise and shoot. It requires sensitivity to your clients, a good antennae and excellent timing.

Timing for weather and light conditions is very important.

Adding weddingscapes to your portfolio and skill-set will offer your clients unique and beautiful wall art.

Remember to still shoot for the timing of emotion and moments and with your own heart.

We are John & Tamera Webb. We operate a Wedding Photography Studio in Blue Ridge Ga.

Shoot with your heart on the shutter and happy shooting!