What's My Style of Photography?

People are always asking me what kind of photography style is best for their wedding. Posed, candid, photojournalism, posed-photojournalism, traditional, formal or artistic are all popular choices for wedding photography style.

To answer the question, first let me try to define the most popular styles of photography:

Posed - Setting up the subjects to create a desired style.
Traditional - Same pictures they've been taking for a 100 years. IE: Bride and Groom at alter.
Formal - Portrait style photography. Subjects smiling looking at the Camera.
Candid - random, off-the-cuff photography capturing people as the are.
Artistic - more obscure style of photography capturing details, angles and views not commonly noticed.
Photojournalism - a style commonly referred to in journalism where the picture tells the story, not the words. Shot with out any interference from the photographer.
Posed-Photojournalism - a style were the photography suggest certain poses to guarantee a photojournalistic style is presented. IE: Looking at each other, kissing, or cutting the cake.

Now, here is my answer. The best kind of style to produce a spectacular wedding is all of the above.

You can't just choose one style and be happy. For example, customers who ask for all photojournalism & candids are usually sadden that they they didn't leave more time for posed family portraits. Customers who say they only want formals usually wish they had more pictures that captured the story of their day. Here's another big surprise, all those pictures in the magazines that look like photojournalism and candids are actually posed to look that way.

For each stage of the wedding here's what I recommend for your best shots!

Pre-ceremony - Mostly formals and posed-photojournalism.
Ceremony - Mostly photojournalism and candids. You don't want to hold up the ceremony to take a photo. You might also take a few artistic shots at the church.
Post-ceremony - Posed, traditional and formal. These are the family and group shots that most people put on their mantle.
Bride and Groom photo session - Posed-Photojournalism. If you spend 30-60 minutes with a good photographer and walk through some simple poses, you will have memories that last a lifetime.
Cocktail Hour - Mostly candids. You might also take some artistic detail shots before the guests are allowed in the main ball room.
Reception - Mostly candids and photojournalism. Some posed-photojournalism at the toast, first dances and cake cutting.

Another thing I can tell you from years of producing wedding albums is that it's the posed-photojournalism shots that brides typically put in their albums with a splash of posed formals.