Fine Art Wedding Photography: Beautiful Storytelling
Fine art wedding photography is typically defined as soft, natural images that convey the beauty of the subject. Shallow depth of field, pastel colours and ethereal beauty are also often associated with it. In modern wedding photography parlance the fine art genre has been taken hostage by a very predictable way of shooting. The formula is this, get a 645 medium format camera, load it with Kodak Portra 400, shoot everything backlit at f/2, and there you go, now your a fine art wedding photographer.
The Aesthetic of Fine Art Wedding Photography
The fine art approach to wedding photography emphasises a soft, romantic, and timeless aesthetic. Images are often characterised by their use of soft, natural light, muted colours, and a focus on the beauty of the surroundings and the emotions of the day. Fine art wedding photographers in the purest of sense often shoot on film or use digital techniques to emulate the look of film, giving the images a classic, painterly feel. I myself use a film emulation when i’m editing my digital photographs, there is a beauty that comes with film photography that is simply divine.
How Fine Art Influences Modern Wedding Work
Fine art wedding photography taught me to see light in a brand new way. When you fully engage with seeing light the way a fine artist does, then a whole new way of shooting weddings and couple portraits emerges. For example, when you place a couple in shade and have the light coming from behind them, you get what you can see in this picture. The difference in exposure between the blight and the shadows is so great that it creates an almost ethereal setting. Even on the brightest of summers days you can till take flattering and dynamic photographs without worrying about aggressive shadows and overly contrasty pictures.
Attention to Detail and Narrative
A significant aspect of traditional fine art wedding photography is the attention to detail. In the conventional application of fine art photography, you would expect to see pictures of the dress and shoes, many close ups of the flowers and the rings. However, when viewed as part of the narrative of the whole day, a detail shot is a great way to convey a sense of the atmosphere. Like any good film maker, close ups and wide shots help keep the viewer interested and engaged in the story. When the pictures are put together into a slideshow, it tells a much richer and more dynamic story.
Artistic Wedding Films
Our style is natural and immersive, blending cinematic shots with creative angles to create a film that feels both artistic and authentic. We offer three great options for Films:
- Super 8: Shot on real film with a vintage camera, it has a warmth and intimacy that is hard to beat. Its nostalgic color palette, flicker, and grainy texture give your wedding film a look that feels like pure art.
- Digital: A focus on storytelling and dynamic editing, bringing every moment to life in a way that feels timeless, stylish, and unmistakably you.
- Hybrid: This format is the best of both worlds. A little Super 8 film, a little digital, the same skilled Sweetwater team.
Our greatest talent is making people feel confident and beautiful when we photograph them. It’s not just a portrait or a moment we’re trying to capture, it’s a feeling for you to relive. When you feel that connection, both stylistically and personally, then you have found your photographer.