3 reasons your photographer’s style is so important
Why your wedding photographer’s style is important!
This week I got a lovely wedding enquiry that described my work as ‘wild and organic’ I cannot tell you how much I LOVED that comment! And the more I thought – the more I realised how appropriate that is - it really got me thinking about my style, and what style even is!
So first, what is a photographer’s style?
For me, it comes in three elements:
Look
Attitude
Connection
It’s not just about the images, it’s about the photographer’s approach to you and your wedding too!
Look.
It’s the first thing you notice about a photographer.
Some photographers have a very distinctive editing style; these can range from from light and airy, to darker earthier tones.
Type #scottishwedding on Instagram and you’ll see a huge range, but you’d also probably see lots of Scottish elopements that all use a very similar tone and could have been taken by any number of photographers. Even in different weather, the shots somehow look the same… Now, I love many of these images, but I can’t help wondering if there’s some brides out there who are thinking, will my images look just like everyone else’s?!
One of the things I love about Islay is that the light, the skies and your horizon change so often, you’re guaranteed your images will be unique. This image is also Saligo Bay, as the top image.
So, how do you end up with images that don’t look like you’ve just stepped off the Skye and Highland elopement train with 100 other couples? My main advice is making sure that you get a photographer who is interested in YOU as a couple: your personalities and what you want. If not, you’ll get images that suit the photographer, not you: don’t forget, it’s YOUR wedding day!
CHECK OUT-> Matt and Emily’s Wedding Gallery - a beautiful sunny Islay day, and images edited to match
Attitude
What does your photographer want for you?
There’s an enormous distinction between a photographer wanting the best images for you on your wedding day, and your photographer wanting you the best for you on your wedding day. You see it?
“Ben created a relaxed and easy going atmosphere which made for a fun shoot and a collection of memories to last a lifetime! “- Matt and Emily
Look at reviews and testimonials, what are people saying about your photographer? Were they a calming influence? Did they want the best for you? Lastly, and most importantly, did they make it fun? Yes, fun. It is your wedding day. Would you get dragged halfway up a hillside for a picture you’re not bothered about? Do you want to head up the hill, but you’re not given the option? You’ve got to enjoy your wedding pictures, and that’s a two-way process.
“The weather was wild but we still got our photos taken on the beach and they turned out more perfect than we could have ever imagined. ”
We’ll spend time discussing your location options before the day itself, and those might even change on the day if the weather’s changed, the wind’s in a certain direction or simply you’ve changed your mind. Island life teaches you to be flexible and work with what you’ve got, which brings me neatly on to connection!
CHECK OUT-> Simon and Sheena’s Islay Wedding Gallery - weather watching and locations changes worked out perfectly for us!
Connection
Good wedding photography is ALLLL about connection.
It’s how well you connect with the photographer, to the camera, to the landscape.
If these elements aren’t right and balanced, they don’t come together in the final shots. I make sure that my couples first of all feel relaxed, they know what’s happening, that they know they’re in good hands, and also that if they don’t want to do something, that’s fine! This is where the ‘organic’ comes in – you can’t plan each and every shot, you need to move with the light, winds and the moods of the landscape.
The heavy Islay skies were a key feature of Lynn and Mathew’s wedding pictures.
So, by the end of this, you should have a pretty good idea of what you want for your photographer - if you’re thinking of heading to Islay and that’s me, well why don’t you just head to the contact page and get in touch!
But I’m not getting married on Islay!
Seriously, are you mad? It’s perfect!
Okay, okay! Not EVERYONE can be married here. First, I’d have a look at some destinations - use sites like Hidden Scotland or Visit Scotland to get some ideas for where you’d like to be. Personally, I think islands are perfect becuase of the light, the sunrises, the sunsets and the atmosphere, but you absolutely are spoilt for choice with Scottish weddings.
I’d always recommend looking for local photographers wherever possible - they will know the places and the perfect spots in different conditions and weather - that is so important in Scotland!!!!
I hope you found this useful! Enjoy planning YOUR perfect wedding!
Ben