THE UNEXPECTED, by THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN LISBON
Photos at the wedding ceremony at Quinta das Riscas in Montijo, Setúbal
• Pode ler este artigo em Português.
Wedding Photography: Improvisation at Its Best
In the world of wedding photography, the unexpected is one of the key ingredients for creating unforgettable images. It’s not uncommon that everything seems perfectly prepared during the capturing process — the composition, the lighting, and the setting — only for the main subject of the photo, whether it’s the groom or the bride, to change position or even look away. These sudden changes often result in the best wedding photographs.
The Right Moment for the Wedding Photographer
The secret to a successful wedding photographer lies in their ability to always be prepared for the unexpected. The technical response must be quick, and the photographer’s eye must be trained to perceive the right moment, capturing the perfect photo from many others that might enter the digital storage.
Unexpected Reactions in Wedding Photography
A clear example of this is the photography of the bride, often energetic and relaxed, sometimes even with unexpected reactions. The wedding photographer might expect a calm response, a direct look at the groom, but suddenly the bride, instead of looking at her future husband, prefers to show her love and joy to the guests, creating a memorable scene.
Point by Point:
- When the wedding photographer opts for the photojournalism method:
- They must always be prepared for the unexpected.
- The scene and the moment can change quickly.
- Lighting can shift in the blink of an eye.
- The subject of the photo may disappear without warning.
- To handle these situations on the wedding day, the photographer must:
- Be trained to react quickly.
- Have precise techniques to capture the right moment.
- Instinctively know the right timing for a perfect photo.
- Wedding photos, on the other hand, are dynamic:
- They do not wait for the photographer.
- They are constantly evolving.
- They depend on other factors, like lighting and people’s movements.
This Energy Drives Me
These unpredictable conditions are what motivate me at every wedding. It doesn’t matter if it’s my first or twentieth wedding; the spirit of improvisation, like a jazz musician, is what makes my work exciting. Every wedding is unique, and the experience of capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments is what makes wedding photography special.
The Work of the Wedding Photographer and Improvisation
It’s not the first time I’ve compared the work of the wedding photographer with that of a jazz musician. Jazz requires musicians to constantly adapt, creating notes, rhythms, and melodies in response to what happens around them. A wedding photographer does the same. While the structure of the wedding day is predictable, it’s the interaction of the people and the unexpected events that make each wedding special.
Wedding Structure and Creative Freedom
Although the structure of weddings is similar from one to another — with the preparation of the couple, the ceremony, and the celebration moments — it’s the change in people’s interactions and emotions that makes every wedding unique. People don’t follow a rigid script, which allows the wedding photographer to be creative, improvising based on what’s happening around them. The joy of photographing comes precisely from this freedom.
Conclusion: The Magic of the Unexpected on the Wedding Day
Thus, your wedding day will be, for me, like a musical improvisation. Each moment will be an opportunity to capture something unique and true. If you want to know more about this process, schedule a meeting with me. I’ll be waiting to explain the whole process and show you the various photographs I’ve taken at other weddings. Let’s create together the most memorable images of your big day.
Schedule a meeting to get to know my work as a wedding photographer. I’ll explain the whole process of capturing images and show you a selection of wedding photographs. I’m looking forward to making this moment unique and unforgettable. Contact me!
- You can see a full wedding story:
- In Quinta das Riscas in Montijo, Portugal