LOOKING FOR SOME SERIOUS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY INSPIRATION FOR YOUR BIG DAY? HIS & HERS TAKES A LOOK AT HOW STYLES HAVE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS…

Although the key foundations of a wedding have remained pretty much the same over the years, there are many aspects of getting married which have changed considerably, such as the photography.

Wedding photos were once quite a formal part of the big day and featured the bride and groom in almost standardised poses – against a white backdrop or outside of the church. You only need to look at your grandparents or even your own parents’ wedding photos to notice these consistencies. Whilst these pictures are still treasured, modern wedding photography has moved in a more relaxed direction.

Wedding photographs have now taken on a more natural tone; rather than sticking to pre-agreed poses, photographers now prefer to capture the day as it happens and catch people having fun! Here to walk you through the evolution of wedding photography is Lake District Country Hotels.

A day to remember

As previously outlined, modern brides are choosing to move away from traditional, posed photographs in favour of pictures that capture the real heart and soul of the day. While the bulky cameras of the past resigned wedding photography to cramped studios for bridal shoots after the ceremony itself, a lot has changed as a result of portable, modern cameras.

The shift towards documentary style photos involves more candid shots of the happy couple and their wedding guests at each stage of the day – from the bride having her hair and makeup done to the couple’s first dance. Without modern technology, this wouldn’t have been possible as cameras were previously limited by film. Modern photographers can take as many pictures as they please and store them all on a single memory card.

The shift in technology has benefited photographers greatly. While they once fussed over the little details, such as the position of a bridesmaids’ bouquet, imperfect photos are now desired by couples. Of course, this doesn’t mean that bad photography is wanted — far from it. Rather, couples now appreciate quirky shots that show their day for what it really is — whether that’s the bride getting the giggles during the ceremony or younger guests pulling funny faces.

Keeping it fun

This ties into our next point nicely; modern wedding photos focus much more on the light-hearted and funny parts of the day. While no couple wants to look stupid on their big day, there is a growing preference for silly shots alongside more serious, candid shots. Examples of this type of shot that you may recognise include the groomsmen lifting up the bride, or the bridesmaids posing under the bride’s veil. Some couples may even buy their own props to up the silliness ante — grooms can get sticker transfers for the soles of their shoes that say ‘help me’, which the congregation will see as he kneels at the altar, unbeknown to the bride!

These small yet quirky touches have grown in popularity, as they capture the personality of the couple and the overall atmosphere of the day. The shots are often what brides and grooms look fondly back on after the day is over.

A sprinkle of drama

There is, of course, still room for the more serious side of wedding photography. Getting married is one of the most momentous days of your life, so you’ll naturally want the romantic shots that showcase the love you have for each other.

Once again, advancements in technology have changed the possibilities of getting such shots. Drones with cameras for example can be used to capture aerial shots of the bride and groom in remote surroundings, capturing the beauty of their location. In essence though, these dramatic, breath-taking shots could not be created without the backgrounds to match. Couples are increasingly selecting their wedding venue based on where it is located, causing a rise in weddings in Cumbria, the Lake District and other beauty spots in the UK.

Experimenting with different formats

As film photography becomes a thing of the past, the availability of multiple different formats has increased. The rise of digital photography means brides and grooms now have the option of a traditional wedding album, or receiving their photos on a memory stick or saved on a digital drive. Usually, the latter two formats are at a reduced cost, helping couples save some cash on their special day without compromising on photo quality.

Whether you prefer formal posed shots or more candid imagery, what’s important is that you select a photographer who is able to beautifully capture the unfolding of your day and the memories made.

We’re very proud to bring you this feature in association with Lake District Country Hotels.

For more inspiration for big occasions, please pay a visit to our lifestyle page.