Sometimes we have to take a step back, turn off the background noise and remember why we’re photographers in the first place. To remind ourselves to shoot for ourselves, and create images which truly reflect the lives and events we’ve been asked to document.
We’re not that interested in what someone on a wedding publication tells us is popular, or cool this year, or shareable, or blog worthy.
If we concern ourselves too much with all that stuff we’ll miss great, meaningful photographs like these, because we’ll be too busy setting up novelty shots of the bridal party eating ice cream while balancing on one leg on top of the walls at Grianan Fort or the bride and groom standing in the middle of a corn field holding a bunch of balloons.
Christine and Eamonn’s wedding was both a wonderful celebration of their decision to tie the knot and a reunion with family and friends gathering in Donegal from far and near.
They knew what was important to them and why they’d asked us to photograph their wedding. They wanted us to capture a sense of place, to create a reminder of Donegal to cherish when they return to Australia, and to focus on their nearest and dearest, rather than making it all about the bride and groom.
Shooting details and decor has its place. We love to shoot the details, the brides in their vintage gowns of antique lace, the fancy plates and chalkboard signs. But if those things become more of the focus than the actual people and love stories, we’ve completely missed the point. We know that it’s important to remember that 10 years from now no one’s going to give a monkey’s if we got published or won an award if we missed shots like the one above while trying to get popular or be trendy.
So to those couples planning their wedding photography we say: ask yourself what’s important to you in having your wedding photographed. Don’t let convention or fashion dictate. Think about what matters to you.