Posted on: November 15, 2007
The New Era of Images
Pre-ceremony photography sessions, digital prints and coffee table books are the top trends in wedding pictures
By Nola Sarkisian-Miller
CTW Features
While still steeped in tradition, weddings are seeing one custom take a bow for some impatient couples: Waiting until the ceremony for the long-awaited moment to see each other in wedding attire. In the days of arranged marriages, this concept played out well so a groom wouldn’t stop the engagement if his fiancé failed to be a beauty.
In the case of 21st century practicality, when couples-to-be are renting reception halls or ballrooms by the hour, the notion of missing out on the party of a lifetime while taking photos isn’t so appealing.
“We’re seeing more and more brides and grooms realize that this day goes by fairly quickly and they really just want to be part of that cocktail hour with their friends and family,” says Mary Litzsinger, wedding coordinator and owner of VP Events Inc., Westlake Village, Calif.
Litzsinger says at least half of her clients are opting for the less traditional route.
Photographers are noticing an up-tick in the trend, noting that it even affords them a greater opportunity to capture some magical photos.
“At the wedding itself, people may act differently since they’re on display,” says John C. Lewis, a photographer based in Newberry Park, Calif. “But we can capture a beautiful moment of the first sighting when it seems more natural and relaxed before the wedding.”
Also changing are the photo packages available to modern couples. Again, tradition dictates that some newlyweds will pick the gilded leather bridal album. The digital age has given an update to the old school, slip-in photo album, which now utilizes flush mount techniques. Actual photographs are printed on quality paper on par with traditional photographs, and then the pages are heat-mounted into a book by a professional album company, according to Samantha Hines, co-owner of Digishots Photography.
The result looks more like a timeless coffee table book. Photographers can have fun creating background pictures printed in panoramic form, and also can mount on other pictures for a collage effect.
“A lot more brides are looking for more than photojournalism and candid photography,” Litzsigner says. “They’re wanting that which is more artistic and looking for photographers to turn their wedding photos into a piece of art.”
Like art, these albums can cost a mighty sum. At Digishots, packages including the albums range from $2,300 to $4,900. Indeed, spending money is one constant that won’t change when it comes to throwing weddings.
