RT Weddings Photography

The role of a wedding photographer

Since the change over to digital the role of the wedding photographer has evolved somewhat. The photographer still continues to guide the couple through their day, taking photographs along the way and ensuring everything runs smoothly and the site down time is kept.

The posed formal and group shots remain the norm, these are the expected, but a great amount of effort goes into the less formal and candid style shots. These can provide the true expression from the day and the trend for album selection seems to back this up.One of the biggest changes for the photographer is in the digital image handling and manipulation. In the days of film the professional lab would process, colour grade and print for the photographer. In some cases the neg would be scanned and digitally enhanced, prior to printing, if a problem required this. Today the photographer is now in control and takes the responsibility of handling, grading, digitally enhancing and in some cases even the printing. I personally still send my graded files to a professional lab for printing as I still believe the quality is better than any home inkjet print solutions, although they are improving dramatically.

With this evolution comes the additional time a photographer dedicates to a shoot, and this does reflect in the cost of a commission. From my point of view I ensure that every print I display is colour graded to the best of my abilities, and if digital enhancements are required, make sure these are perfect also. My background was based around graphic design and I managed a large photography production lab for four years making quality control the main focus. The photographers these days also have to design album and wedding book layouts and be creative when taking photographs with this in mind.

So when you think of a wedding photographer, don’t just think of a professional photographer, they are also a customer relations person, a colour grader, a photoshop wizkid, a graphic designer and a sales person all roled into one. The digital transistion has prevented many traditionalists as the reliance on PC’s increases, but for those willing to adapt and learn new skills the benefits are much more rewarding.

By Dean Robson - RT Weddings