How wedding photos have changed through time

How wedding photos have changed through time

Marriages have remained unchanged for many years now, however wedding photography is changing on a yearly basis.

Once, wedding photography was a formal affair. Your grandparents and great grandparents’ wedding photos will likely be incredibly formal, often featuring the newlyweds in almost standardised poses — outside the church or against a background. While these snaps are still treasured, wedding photography has moved away from this formality.

Now, wedding photography is much more natural; rather than a checklist of essential poses and shots, photographers fluidly capture the day as it unfolds. Documenting this change in wedding photography style is Lake District Country Hotels.

The day in pictures

Brides are favouring action shots, as opposed to the traditional posed shots these days. While the bulky cameras of the past resigned wedding photography to cramped studios for bridal shoots after the ceremony itself, a lot has changed as a result of portable, modern cameras.

Only recently have we seen the shift to documentary style photography, which captures candid shots of the bride and groom and their guests at each stage of their special day — from getting ready, right through to their first dance. This could never have been possible without technological advancement; previously limited by film cameras, photographers can now shoot and store a near endless amount of photos on just one memory card.

This shift benefits photographers too. While they once fussed over the little details, such as the position of a bridesmaids’ bouquet, imperfect photos are now desired by couples. Of course, this doesn’t mean that bad photography is wanted — far from it. Rather, couples now appreciate quirky shots that show their day for what it really is — whether that’s the bride getting the giggles during the ceremony or younger guests pulling funny faces.

Humour incorporated into photos

Couples are seeking humour in their photos in modern times, silly shots are becoming more common alongside the more serious, candid shots.

Examples of this type of shot which you may recognise include the groomsmen lifting up the bride, or the bridesmaids posing under the bride’s veil. Some couples may even buy their own props to up the silliness ante — grooms can get sticker transfers for the soles of their shoes that say ‘help me’, which the congregation will see as he kneels at the altar, unbeknown to the bride!

These little quirks are growing in popularity as ways of capturing the personality of the bride and groom and overall atmosphere of the day. The shots are often what brides and grooms look fondly back on after the day is over.

Dramatic images

Wedding photography is still serious business, as getting married is one of the most important and memorable days of your life. Romantic shots are still very popular as couples are wanting their love to be showcased via dramatic images.

Again, new technology has changed the possibilities of capturing these shots. Drones with cameras for example can be used to capture aerial shots of the bride and groom in remote surroundings, capturing the beauty of their location.

In essence though, these dramatic, breath-taking shots could not be created without the backgrounds to match. Couples are increasingly selecting their wedding venue based on where it is located, causing a rise in weddings in Cumbria, the Lake District Country House Hotel Wedding and other beauty spots in the UK.

Rise of digital

More and more photographers are moving away from film photography with a clear presence for digital. The rise of digital photography means brides and grooms now have the option of a traditional wedding album, or receiving their photos on a memory stick or saved on a digital drive. Usually, the latter two formats are at a reduced cost, helping couples save some cash on their special day without compromising on photo quality.

As we have discussed, wedding photography styles have evolved over the years. Whether you prefer formal posed shots or more candid imagery, what’s important is that you select a photographer who is able to beautifully capture the unfolding of your day and the memories made.