Photo journalistic vs. Traditional....

Paul Benjamin Studios offers traditional wedding photography
and photojournalistic style wedding photography!    

Don't know the difference? 

I found this short blog from Wedded Bliss Photography in British Columbia Canada
which answers this question very well.

"Who would like to know the difference between photojournalistic and
traditional style wedding photography?

There is a much confusion surrounding the different styles of wedding photography that professionals are shooting today. Most couples want the style and glamour that they see in magazines. They often don’t know exactly what that style is called and how a skilled photographer can make them look as good as the bride and groom in the latest trend-setting celebrity wedding. Other couples are looking for a more traditional style of wedding photography.

These are the two most common types of wedding photography; traditional and photojournalistic. While similar equipment is used in both, there are significant differences in technique and approach.

Traditional photographers concentrate most of their efforts on posed portraits, and rarely capture candid moments. The quality of traditional photography is usually judged by sharpness, lighting, correct skin tones, and the use of the background. Most traditional photos are instantly recognizable, as many poses are standard for all weddings.

The more glamorous, or modern style of photography is called Photojournalistic. It is also called documentary photography. While similarities exist between traditional and photojournalistic approaches, the main expectations of each style are very different. Traditional style is portrait oriented. Photojournalism is candid oriented. The photojournalist's goal is to take pictures while people are not aware they are being photographed. By blending with the crowd, a photojournalist is able to capture the action as it unfolds - the true emotions, the real expressions, the happiness and joy. Instead of the traditional formal portraits and posed photos, this approach produces a more intimate, artistic take on a wedding. Photos will reflect a fleeting, unposed moment that conveys the emotions of the day.

Photojournalism means to capture the real, true thing. Visual perception of an experienced photojournalist will add a unique charm to your pictures and you will end with up emotional and artistic photos capturing the very essence of your wedding day. The Album will resemble a storybook, rather than just be a series of posed portraits.

If you are a bride that loves wedding photojournalism, it is still a good idea to choose a photographer who recognizes the value of certain aspects of traditional photography and will work aspects of that style into their wide variety of shots. The photographer will gently coax a situation, and with a little guidance and interaction with their subject, get the shot that has the look and feel of a candid, photojournalistic shot, but the compositional beauty of a traditional one. A few familiar wedding poses, mixed in with the glamorous photojournalism, can also satisfy the desire for traditional portrait style poses that many people grew up with without taking away from the overall photojournalist style."

In addition to photojournalistic and traditional photography, Paul Benjamin Studios offers expert photo retouching and color correction, including sepia, black and white, traditional color or a combination of the two as seen above. We can also make the photo look vintage, like it was taken 50 years ago as well as a Polaroid photo look.  These exciting options are readily available thanks to todays digital format images and powerful image manipulation software.

Here is a sample of photojournalistic image using a painterly oil paint filter.

Give us a call at 973-650-4101 to discuss the many options Paul Benjamin Studios can offer!

How to Find a Great Wedding Photographer

Found this blog by Jen Carter of my wedding zone and thought I would repost here.

Choosing a photographer is not like going to a store and selecting some bridal dresses. It is different because you can’t see the photographs before you buy them. You can know how good a photographer is only after he has been chosen and you have received the photos from him. It is therefore evident that your decision will largely be a matter of faith. Those who think price is the sole determining factor are on the wrong track; they should remember that price is important, but you don’t know the quality of the product you are paying for. So it is better if you follow a few general guidelines before choosing a photographer.

In most cases, recommendations of friends and relatives are of great help. After you prepare a list of photographers following their recommendations, you should meet each of them and have a look at their portfolios. You can collect the names of good photographers from other sources also. If you can’t meet all of them personally, visit their websites and review their portfolios. Concentrate on the photographs only, don’t get carried away by the design of the website. After a thorough review, shortlist them and talk to them personally, on phone or through e-mail. Find out whether he will be available on that particular day, which areas are his specialties (candid, traditional, photojournalism, combination, film or digital etc.) and how much he will charge you for the job. In return, be sure what you are going to get from them. While judging the samples, trust your own instincts. It is only you who will know what you like. When you see a picture, you only can say, “Yeah! This is exactly what I am looking for.”

From this interaction, you will have a fair idea of the photographer’s personality. Remember he is going to be with you all day; you will definitely not choose someone who you won’t feel comfortable with. No matter how good his photographs are, a photographer with a bad personality can ruin your day. So select someone you feel good about.

Once you have found a photographer who meets all these requirements, start working the budget back into the equation. Try not to cross your budget. Bargain in those areas where bargaining is possible. Try to stick to your budget without compromising on quality. If you keep your mind open to the wide range of possibilities, you will certainly find the photographer of your dreams.

Good Luck!!