What Is True To Life Wedding Photography?

An Explanation Of True To Life Wedding Photography And Whether or Not It Is What You Are Looking For

For many people, their wedding will be the first time that they hire a professional Photographer. If you have never hired a Photographer, there is a lot that goes into that decision. Are they available? Are they within our budget? And do they shoot in a style that I LOVE?!?! When it comes to different photography styles, there are various styles that Photographers shoot in. Some Photographers shoot in a very moody style. Other Photographers shoot in a very filmic style. And other Photographers shoot in a true to life wedding photography style. In my opinion, most couples prefer Photographers who shoot in a true to life wedding photography style. Here is a quick overview of true to life wedding photography and a few reasons why it will always be a popular choice for most couples.

What Is True To Life Wedding Photography?

To understand true to life photography, it is important to first understand how an image is captured on a camera sensor. One of the main differences between an image coming from a professional camera and a cell phone is how the image is processed. The most common format of an image is called a JPEG. In nearly all cases, when an image is taken with a cell phone, it is shot in JPEG. A JPEG image captures information and automatically compresses the file so that it is easy to view and share quickly. While professional cameras can also shoot in a JPEG format, professional Photographers typically shot in what is called a RAW format. RAW camera files are much larger files that are uncompressed and suited for editing. In some cases, images that are viewed straight out of the camera look pretty close to how they will be seen in the final image. However, most images need additional editing. And this is where a Photographer’s editing style comes into play.

Two different Photographers can take an identical image and edit it in a style that is completely different. Photographers who edit in what I would call a “moody” style may exaggerate the shadows of an image, increase the highlights to make it appear REALLY bright, or add green or brown color tones to the final image. While this is a style that a lot of people LOVE, it may not always be suited for every situation. True to life wedding photography is a more middle of the road editing style. If the scene or the subject contains beautiful, bright colors, it is not going to exaggerate or mute the colors. The image will be well balanced and the colors will be very close to how you saw it in real life. These types of images are classic and timeless, and do not appear overly “Photoshopped.” The images may in fact seem as if little to no editing was done to them.

Understand What Matters The Most To You In A Photographer

So now we have a good understanding of what true to life wedding photography is. Next, it is important to identify what matters the most when hiring your wedding Photographer. Wedding Photographers are typically chosen based on the following factors: your budget, their availability, and their style. Ideally, you are able to find a Photographer who matches all of these factors. I recommend viewing their portfolio – to see if they shoot in a style that you LOVE. Also, reading any reviews to see what past clients have to say. And then reaching out to them to check their availability, pricing, and to answer any other immediate questions. If possible, see if you can meet in person to discuss how they approach wedding photography. The in person meeting will allow you to get a “feel” for them and it will give you the opportunity to ask them questions.

How To Pick Your Wedding Photographer

Your wedding Photographer will be one of the most important vendors you will hire for your wedding. Making sure they are in your budget, they are available, and they have a style you love are all important. But it is important to dig a little deeper to see if you want to hire them. Make sure that you understand their process – so that you are on the same page. Every Photographer does things a little different. If you are not clear on how everything works, this can cause a bad experience for both parties. Here are 5 questions that can get you started on understanding your wedding Photographer’s process:

Can I see an entire wedding gallery of your most recent wedding, or a wedding that is similar to mine? – Seeing an entire wedding gallery will allow you to see how many images they typically deliver, and further understand their style.
How long does it take you to edit and deliver the final images? – Some Photographers take a week. Some Photographers may take a month or longer.
Will the final images be watermarked or sized down. Can I make prints on my own or do I have to purchase them through you directly? – Asking this question will help you to further understand how you will be able to access your images. The last thing you want to be unclear on is if there are additional costs to access your images.
Will you be shooting the wedding with another Photographer? Every wedding is different than the next. But most weddings require the help of another Photographer or “second shooter.” Some Photographers include this in their pricing. However, other Photographers can provide this at an additional cost. There are many segments of your wedding day that your main wedding Photographer cannot be in two places at one. For example, if you want getting ready photos and you and your partner are getting ready in different places. Or during the ceremony where you want to get one person coming down the aisle and the other person’s reaction 😉
Leading up to the wedding, will we meet to discuss the final details? – As I said earlier, being on the same page as your wedding Photographer is important. As a wedding Photographer, I have couples fill out a wedding questionnaire that we go over two weeks before the wedding. I prefer to meet in person to discuss the questionnaire and to go over their timeline. I also attend the day before walkthrough whenever possible. This allows me to understand how the wedding day will play out and to point out any recommendations that will make photographing the wedding better. For example, where to have the first look, posed photos, etc. Or how to walk down the aisle for the best pictures 🙂

Once you’ve met with the Photographer and gotten answers all of your pertinent questions, you are set to make a decision! I recommend going through this process as early as possible – so that you can find a Photographer who meets most or all of your needs. The longer you wait, the less likely you are to find a Photographer who is available. This is especially the case if your wedding is scheduled during “wedding season,” or on a popular wedding date. For example, a lot of couples get married on a long weekend.

Hopefully this article on true to life wedding photography has been helpful. Thanks!