What is Photojournalism when applied to wedding photography? Even wedding photographers can't agree! So if we photographers can't decide for ourselves, then how can we expect you, the consumer to know what to expect?
So what is Photojournalism? The strict interpretation of the word means "news told via imagery". We are used to seeing photojournalism in our local newspapers. While there are times the newspaper photographer does photograph exactly what is happening (like a fire scene or a sporting event), there are times when the photographer DOES stage the dignitary’s handshake or the walk down the red carpet. But no matter what, those news photographers did know photography, lighting and how to compose a photo.
During those early years, wedding photography had standard poses and shots. Today, this is known as the traditional style. Some of those traditional photos include the bride, bride with mom and dad, etc... Time marches on and photographers are getting more creative. Along comes the photographer who applies the newspaper photojournalism approach to wedding photography. A new style is born!
To understand how PJ became a wedding photography style, we need to go back in time. Years ago, the happy couple would stop at the photography studio between the church and the reception to have some portraits made. As time went by and cameras became more portable, the wedding photographer spent more time documenting the wedding and less time photographing traditional poses.
As Photojournalism was becoming a popular wedding photography style, digital cameras were becoming less expensive and more technically advanced. The photographer’s cost to learn the craft and click the shutter was significantly reduced. The photographer no longer had to purchase a roll of film, take the photos, develop the film and then print the proofs in order to see the photo. All of which cost actually money which was a barrier to learning the craft of photography.
Today’s digital cameras allow the photographer to press the button without incurring any costs until they print the photo. In fact, in full program mode, the camera will make all of the decisions for the photographer except where to point the camera and when to press the button. But in some situations, the camera can be fooled. The result is a photo that is out of focus, over exposed or under exposed.
Unfortunately, for the wedding photography industry, some wedding photographers seem to have forgotten or never knew that news photographers might actually stage the photo. Thus grew the rules of PJ Wedding photography. The subjects could not be aware of the camera. The photographer was not to influence any of the photos. Nothing could be staged. Some even believe that only natural or existing light could be used. Nothing artificial. All of the old rules went out the window.
Yet there are still no standards for what makes a photojournalist style. There is no international standards committee which sets the rules. Even the only true not for profit professional photographer association, Professional Photographers of America (and local chapters), is silent on the standards of Photojournalism (all other photographer organizations and associations are for profit entities). Yet PPA, does have strict standards for traditional photography.
Want some easy money? Take your digital camera, publish a website and call yourself a photojournalist wedding photographer. PJ has allowed amateur photographers who don’t know how to use a camera, compose a photo or understand light to take bad photos and call it photojournalism. This hurts not only true professional photographers but the consumer too. That is not to say, there are good photographers who do know how to take good photographs in the PJ style. Just that there are bad photographers out there claiming bad photos are photojournalism.
It is this convergence of smart cameras, no costs to take the photo and a photography style that has no rules that has created the confusion about photojournalism. Over expose the image yet get the expression, that’s Photojournalism. Don’t know how to use a strobe unit, just use existing light, no matter what and call that PJ. Don’t understand how to use light and take a photo, just take 5000 photos and you’ll be sure to get 500-700 for the client. That’s PJ too! Don’t worry if you forgot to take a formal photo of mom and the bride because pure Photojournalism photographers are not supposed to take any photos where the subjects are aware of the camera. Photojournalism has become a way to pass off mistakes or lack of photography training.
Every photographer can pick five to ten great images from an event to post on their website. Every photographer can create a great sample album for you to view. In fact, some unethical photographers have been known to actually steal images from other photographers for their website or use an album manufacturer’s sample and pass the work off as their own.
As a consumer, it is up to you to decide if the photographer’s version of photojournalism is the same as yours. In this day and age of the internet, there is absolutely no reason you should not be allowed to view the on-line gallery of a recent event shot by your prospective photographer. This is the best way to actually see what the photographer is delivering to their clients and ultimately to you.
So in the end, what is Photojournalism? It is just a marketing buzz word without any set definition. It is up to you, the consumer, to determine if your vision of PJ wedding photography is the same the photographer’s vision and style. No matter how good the photographer, if your visions don’t match, then you need to keep looking until you find a photographer whose vision of PJ matches yours. After all, PJ is just a buzz word
