Written by Wes Shinn. All images captured by Wes Shinn Photography.

As a wedding photographer, my approach centers on the belief that your wedding day is so much more than a series of posed photographs. It’s a tapestry of emotions, fleeting moments, and connections that deserve to be preserved in an authentic and meaningful way. This is where the beauty of wedding photojournalism lies.

Through the years of photography, technology has significantly changed the art of visual storytelling. That’s a good thing. The reason it’s good is that technology can accurately focus on subjects’ eyes allowing for the freedom of movement in any situation.

If there’s one thing I enjoy, it’s capturing the fullness of emotion on a wedding day or engagement session. I’m a big fan of color, light, and moments. I like capturing bright, colorful unique moments that are the essence of documentary photojournalism on a wedding day. Even when light doesn’t exist I can create light – so that nothing is dark.

Capturing images in this way isn’t easy. It’s not easy when I put pressure on myself to capture images with the highest standard of excellence possible. I capture all my images in medium format, the GFX 100 II camera system. Doing so allows me to capture images the way I have always had the vision for.

But while this article describes the definition of my approach and style, that leaves the question as to why.

Why are colors important? Why are capturing colors along with emotions important?

When couples are first engaged there are so many things to consider for wedding planning. One of the most daunting things they realize is how many different styles and approaches there are to photography. While I think having a good photographer who understands their identity and vision for why they capture images the way they do is important. It’s equally important to have a photographer who genuinely cares about the couples they serve and the industry they work in.

I want to describe the meaning behind several important factors for choosing a photographer, like myself, that understands the value of visual storytelling through still photos. 

So I want to walk you through why these things are important to factor in. This is going to be very in-depth and insightful for ultimately planning any occasion, not just weddings.

Beyond simply documenting events, I strive to create images that resonate on an emotional level. This involves a careful consideration of colors, composition, and the decisive moments that shape your day.

• Colors: Colors evoke emotions and set the tone for an image. I pay close attention to the interplay of colors throughout your wedding, capturing the vibrant hues of your decor, the subtle tones of your surroundings, and the natural beauty of the light.
  
• Composition: The way elements are arranged within a frame can dramatically impact the feeling an image conveys. I use composition to guide the viewer’s eye, create a sense of balance and harmony, and emphasize the most significant moments.
  
• Moments: The true magic of wedding photography lies in capturing those fleeting, unscripted moments that reveal the heart of your celebration. Whether it’s a stolen glance between you and your partner, a shared laugh with your loved ones, or a quiet moment of reflection, these are the images that will transport you back to your wedding day for years to come.

All of these moments create a factor called emotional impact. What is emotional impact? Colors in large part play the most pivotal role in emotional impact. Let’s take a look at this.

Emotional Impact: Different colors carry inherent psychological associations. Warm colors like red and orange can convey passion, energy, or danger, while cool colors like blue and green evoke feelings of tranquility, sadness, or mystery. Filmmakers deliberately utilize color palettes to manipulate the audience’s emotional response to scenes and characters.  

These colors also influence reasons why wedding parties select colors based on themes and seasons of the years.

Emotional Impact in Photography:

• Warm Colors (Red, Orange, Yellow):
  
  • Convey: Energy, passion, warmth, excitement, and sometimes danger or aggression.  
  • Effect: Can create a sense of intimacy, urgency, or happiness, or even raise tension and anxiety.  

• Cool Colors (Blue, Green, Purple):
  
  • Convey: Calmness, tranquility, sadness, mystery, or sophistication.  
  • Effect: Can induce feelings of peace, melancholy, or introspection. They might also suggest distance or aloofness. 
    
• Neutral Colors (Black, White, Gray, Brown):
  
  • Convey: Timelessness, sophistication, elegance, or emptiness, depending on the context.  
  • Effect: Can provide a sense of balance and grounding, or create a feeling of isolation or starkness. 
    
• Saturation and Vibrancy:
  
  • Highly saturated colors: Intensity, energy, and drama.  
  • Desaturated or muted colors: Subdued emotions, nostalgia, or a sense of realism.

Examples of emotional impact stem from cinema. I originally went to film school. Cinema and photojournalism heavily influence my style in capturing images. But for those interested, I wanted to break down why certain images capture the moment and sometimes the mystery of the image.

Emotional Impact in Film:

• Setting the Mood: Filmmakers use color palettes to establish the overall emotional tone of a scene or the entire film. A horror film might employ a dark, desaturated palette with splashes of blood red to create a sense of dread and unease, while a romantic comedy might use a bright, vibrant palette to evoke feelings of joy and optimism. 
  
• Character Development: Color can be used to reflect a character’s personality or emotional state. A character dressed in black might suggest mystery or villainy, while a character surrounded by warm colors could represent their passionate nature. 
  
• Narrative Progression: Shifts in the color palette can signal changes in the story or a character’s emotional arc. A scene transitioning from warm to cool colors might indicate a shift from happiness to sadness or a loss of hope. 
  
• Symbolic Meaning: Colors can carry symbolic weight in film, representing abstract concepts or themes. For example, the color green might symbolize nature, growth, or envy, while the color red could represent love, anger, or danger. 

• Symbolism: Colors often carry symbolic weight, representing abstract concepts or character traits. For example, a recurring use of white might symbolize purity or innocence, whereas black could signify death, evil, or the unknown. 
  
• Visual Cues: Color can direct the viewer’s attention to specific elements within a frame, highlighting important objects or characters. Contrasting colors or a sudden shift in the color palette can also signal a change in narrative or mood. 
  
• World Building: The overall color scheme of a film contributes to the creation of its unique visual world. Whether it’s a vibrant, saturated fantasy world or a gritty, desaturated dystopia, color plays a crucial role in establishing the setting and atmosphere.  

In Photography:

• Mood and Atmosphere: Similar to cinema, the color choices in a photograph significantly impact its mood and atmosphere. Warm tones create a sense of intimacy and energy, while cool tones project a calmer or more melancholic feel. 
  
• Composition: Colors can create a visual hierarchy within a photograph. Bright or contrasting colors naturally draw the eye, allowing photographers to guide the viewer’s attention to the intended focal point. 
  
• Subject Enhancement: Color can be used to enhance the subject of a photograph. For instance, using complementary colors can make the subject stand out from the background, while analogous colors can create a more harmonious and subtle effect.
  
• Emotional Connection: Colors elicit emotional responses from viewers. A photo dominated by warm, vibrant colors might evoke feelings of joy and excitement, whereas a photo with predominantly cool, muted tones might create a sense of introspection or sadness.

In a world saturated with posed wedding photos, wedding photojournalism emerges as a refreshing and authentic approach to capturing the magic of a couple’s special day. Instead of orchestrating every shot, wedding photojournalists discreetly document the candid moments, emotions, and interactions that unfold throughout the celebration. The result is a collection of images that tell a compelling and heartfelt story, preserving the true essence of the wedding day for generations to come.

The Heart of Wedding Photojournalism

• Unscripted Moments: Wedding photojournalism thrives on capturing the unscripted, spontaneous moments that make each wedding unique. These can range from a stolen glance between the couple to a tearful embrace between a bride and her mother. It’s about documenting the real emotions and interactions as they naturally occur.
  
• Storytelling through Images: A skilled wedding photojournalist weaves these candid moments together to create a visual narrative of the wedding day. They capture the anticipation of the getting-ready process, the joy of the ceremony, the energy of the reception, and the intimate connections between the couple and their loved ones.
  
• Discreet and Unobtrusive: I call this being like a photo ninja. Wedding photojournalists work discreetly, blending into the background to capture authentic moments without disrupting the flow of events. This allows the couple and their guests to relax and enjoy the celebration without feeling self-conscious in front of the camera.

Benefits of Wedding Photojournalism

• Authenticity: Wedding photojournalism captures the true essence of the wedding day, preserving the genuine emotions and interactions that make it so special.
  
• Emotional Impact: The candid moments captured by wedding photojournalists often evoke powerful emotions, reminding couples and their loved ones of the joy, love, and excitement they experienced on their wedding day.
  
• Timeless Memories: Wedding photojournalism creates a collection of timeless images that capture the unique spirit of the wedding day, allowing couples to relive their special moments for years to come.

With that in mind, there are three critical elements in choosing your photography. While I place a very high level of importance on learning who all my couples are and building relationships through trust (and dad puns)

Choosing a Wedding Photojournalist

• Style and Approach: Look for a wedding photojournalist whose style and approach resonate with your vision for your wedding day. Review their portfolio to get a sense of their ability to capture candid moments and tell a compelling story through their images.
  
• Experience and Expertise: I’ve captured more than 300 weddings, so this is important. Choose a wedding photojournalist with experience in documenting weddings in a photojournalistic style. They should be skilled at anticipating key moments, working discreetly, and capturing authentic emotions.
  
• Personality and Connection: It’s important to feel comfortable and connected with your wedding photojournalist. Choose someone whose personality complements yours and who you feel confident will capture your wedding day in a way that reflects your unique love story.

With that said, there are so many things to consider when thinking about who to pick as a wedding photographer. One thing I constantly see on social media are couples who are asking for a photographer who doesn’t cost an “arm and a leg.” But what couples don’t often understand is that photographers like myself offer flexible, budget-friendly payment installment plans. Depending on the wedding date, some of my payment plans can reach as low as $80 a month after submitting the retainer.

In today’s dynamic world, every couple has a unique love story waiting to unfold. It’s a connection meant for only them, and my goal is to capture its essence and transform it into something tangible. This endeavor demands the utmost passion, care, and honor.

Conclusion:

Wedding photojournalism offers a unique and powerful way to document the magic of a couple’s special day. By capturing the unscripted moments, emotions, and interactions, wedding photojournalists create a collection of images that tell a compelling and heartfelt story. If you’re looking for a way to preserve the true essence of your wedding day, consider my work as I’ve decided 20 years (half of my life) to what I do.

Let’s connect today.