New ideas and trends for wedding photography and bridal albums
by Darlene Stambaugh, Stambaugh Photographics

More and more, today’s brides are looking for something “different” for their wedding album and photography. In response to this demand, many photographers have answered with a more relaxed approach to weddings. The photojournalist style of wedding photography has become so popular, that many studios offering it are being booked more than 10 months or a year in advance of the wedding date.

Photojournalist style, or PJ as it is commonly referred to, is characterized by un-posed, natural images that are captured rather than created. The PJ photographer must have a keen sense of timing, and a good eye for capturing the actions, reactions, emotions, and fun of the entire day. You may see images that are cropped really close (perhaps even into people’s heads), tilted (horizon not straight), extremely wide-angle shots, as well as a mix of b/w and color photography. You may not see the traditional group poses of family and wedding party, although some photographers employ a mixture of the PJ style and more traditional portraiture. This is the best of both worlds in many opinions. You get an album that is full of fun candid images as well as beautiful elegant portraits that are suitable for hanging on the wall.

Brides should interview photographers and ask to see at least one (more would be better) entire finished wedding album. If you can get a true feeling of what that wedding was like, and how that couple felt, then you will probably be happy with that photographer.  Also make sure if that studio has more than one photographer, that you meet and view the person’s work that will be at your wedding. You may also want to ask such things as: do you have a maximum number of rolls, hours or photos; do you work with an assistant to make things go smoother; does the studio help you plan your album layout; do you get an engagement portrait; what are the photographer’s credentials and experience with weddings; and are there any guarantees on their services and products?

Another trend that goes hand in hand with the PJ style is “Storybook” wedding albums. It is very difficult, if not impossible to tell the whole story of your wedding day in only twelve or sixteen 8x10s. That is just a collection of some photographs of you that happen to be taken on your wedding day. To create the true story of your wedding, your album should include different sized images, laid out chronologically, in an artistic and pleasing manner. The studio should be able to provide help in designing this type of Storybook wedding album, and have a brand of albums that will enhance this type of presentation. We recommend Queensberry and Company albums from New Zealand. I will give more information on them later.

Designing a Storybook album starts with the photography. The more of your day you have your photographer cover, the better Storybook album you will be able to make. For example: a full day photography package would include the photographer going to your home (or beauty salon) for preparations, the ceremony, your formal portrait session, and the reception (at least up to the first 3 dances). An album to cover that much photography may need to be 40-50 pages (single sided) or more. Within those pages, you may select 100 or more images to create your storybook. Some of the more important photos, like family portraits, the wedding party, and of course the two of you, should be full-page photographs. Other "scene setters" like each of wedding party coming down the aisle; details of the bride’s dress; photos of decorations/flowers; your parents watching the ceremony with a tear in their eye; may go on a page with other similar shots. They are less important on their own, but need to be shown together to properly tell the story or events that took place. You may also want your favorite images as larger photos, and possibly even choose a panoramic image that spans across two pages in the album.  Some studios may also offer artistic hand coloring of b/w photos, and/or new digital imaging effects. That is what "Storybook Albums" are all about – making an album that is uniquely you, and tells your wedding story from start to finish.

Back to the brand of albums now, I mentioned earlier that Queensberry & Company make albums that are great for Storybook and PJ styles.  There are many different album makers on the market, and they are not all created equal.  At the low end of the price scale are the satin cover albums, and ones that have plastic pages.  (You don’t have plastic on your couch right, I hope, so why would you want it in your wedding album.) Mid-range albums usually have a vinyl cover, with assembly type pages (meaning they have pages and mats that slip into the cover). At the top end of the scale, and by far the nicest are the library bound type with genuine leather covers. There are many brands available at each level, but we have found that Queensberry offers the highest quality covers, with the most choices and design options available. That means the photographer can be extra creative in designing your album. You can see them on the web at www.queensberry.com. Ask prospective photographers what brand they use.

As a final note, keep this in mind. Most photographers base their prices on three things: how much of your day you want photographed; and how many actual photographs you want; and what services they provide after the wedding (like designing and assembling your album). The more you want, the bigger the investment you will have to make. Do think of your wedding photographs as an investment, because they should last for your lifetime. Remember that in the many years to follow, there are only two things that will remain as reminders of your special day, your memories - and your photographs. Memories last forever, make sure your photographs do too! It may be better to spend a little more than you planned (and avoid disappointment), instead of less than you should.