Every engaged couple wants their wedding photos to be truly memorable. They interview photographers, scour wedding magazines, and spend time and money to look their absolute best for the big day. The bottom line? They want more.
“Couples are looking for exclusivity in their photography,” says Molly Michel of Mthree Studio in Milwaukee. “They want to commission an artist and get a unique interpretation of their day. They want someone who can create moments, looks, feelings, and art about their life.”
A new wave of wedding photography trends is making it even easier to ensure one-of-a-kind photos for every couple. Photographic effects, coordinated pre- and post-wedding photo shoots, as well as photobooths and video, are growing more popular in Wisconsin. Local photographers are taking note.
“Good photography artists are always expanding the way they see, using fashion, location, and design as inspirations for pictures,” says photographer Ari Rosenthal, based in Shorewood.
“Ultimately, good photography starts with hiring a photographer who knows how to create good exposures without enhancements. Adding textures and other treatments should bring artistic value to an image, not cover up flawed technique.”
Texture and Tone
Many couples are opting for a new twist on traditional wedding photographs by adding texture or color to create a desired visual effect. Photographers stress, however, that high-quality photos are still the most important factor.
“There’s that old saying, ‘You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear,’ and it’s right. You can’t save a bad photograph with fancy editing,” says Michel. “But you can make a good photograph better, and a great photograph amazing.”
According to Michel, making photos look vintage is one of the hottest wedding photography trends right now—perhaps, she suggests, in response to the increasingly modern and technological world we live in.
Adding texture is about design and style more than about making something “look cool” just because you can, says Rosenthal. Selective color—leaving one part of the photo in color while the rest is black and white—should follow the same rules. “I use selective color very infrequently, but there are times when it can be powerful,” he says.
When it comes to tone and texture, moderation is key. “You can tell when the true essence of a photo is being covered up by too heavy texture or too much colorization,” says Michel. “Any special effects should contribute to the overall feeling of a photograph, but the photograph itself, the story it tells and the people in it should be the main focus. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.”
Trash the Dress
While the name sounds a little harsh, “trash the dress” photo shoots can make for some of the most stunning (and fun) bridal photos. From resting in a rustic fountain to lying in a meadow of sunflowers, more and more brides are falling in love with these post-wedding photo sessions. The trend has only recently made its way to the Midwest, but the idea has been popular on the coasts for several years.
“I try not to look at it so much as destroying the dress—though some certainly do—but as an opportunity to use locations you couldn’t on your wedding day or do things that might get your dress dirty but result in amazing photographs,” says Michel, adding, “I’ve never had a dress that couldn’t be saved by the cleaners.”
“Trash the dress” shoots also provide a great forum for the couple to relax and have fun with their photos—a task that can be difficult during a hectic wedding day. “They are a stress-free way to do some very dynamic and carefree shooting in settings you might not usually use in the actual wedding photo shoot,” says Rosenthal.
Best of Boudoir
Boudoir photo shoots go far beyond their pin-up girl reputation. They not only give brides a chance to give their husbands a one-of-a-kind present, but also help them feel sexy and confident before the wedding.
“Women don’t see themselves the way their husbands do. When our husbands look at us, they have the most wonderful rose-colored glasses on. As women, when we look at ourselves, we see only flaws,” says Michel. “Boudoir has been an awesome opportunity to show women how great they really do look, and for them to see themselves through the eyes of their husband or fiancé.”
While many brides-to-be are nervous at first, a good photographer will make it a fun and carefree experience. “Every session feels a little like therapy because they leave feeling like a million bucks,” says Michel. To capture that feeling and look, “to go back and remind yourself of it is a powerful thing,” she says. “On the surface it might seem to be about beautiful and sexy pictures created especially for your husband, but deep down it is really about empowerment.”
More Trends and Tricks
Other trends include makeshift photobooths, high-definition video and themed engagement photos. This new take on engagement photos is one of Michel’s favorites.
“They are so much more fun than the typical ‘pretty pictures in a park’ most engagement shoots end up being,” she says. “It’s about knowing who the couple is and what makes their relationship tick.”
For example, Michel recently asked a couple who enjoys cooking together to spend some time in the kitchen during their shoot. “It made for an experience that let them really be themselves and created a great memory as well,” she says.
Rosenthal is excited about new high-definition technology that expands his artistic boundaries. “I can capture bits of video throughout the day while I’m shooting stills and create a video montage that complements the stills I’ve captured,” he says.
Makeshift photobooths, especially those that require some guest and photographer participation, will have guests buzzing. Such booths are easily created by hanging a paper or curtain backdrop in a corner of your reception area, stocking the space with props, and letting your photographer snap away while your guests get wacky. “That interaction results in far more interesting and hilarious results than just pushing a button,” says Michel. “It’s a fun alternative to dancing for the guests, and gets them mingling and creating memories.”
According to Michel, the general trend that has couples focusing on the photographic experience is where wedding photography is heading. “They want to have as much fun taking the photos as [ensuring that] the photos are great to look at,” she says. “With a wedding day there are no do-overs. You have to invest in the people who are going to create a great experience for you.”
