A Complete Guid To Traditional Wedding Photography

Traditional Wedding Photography as the name suggests is rooted in the tried-and-true methods of documenting the couple’s big day, from getting ready to the reception.

It is a style that focuses on capturing the classic and essential moments of the wedding. You can think of it as more like what the parents would love to see (they will appreciate those creative groom and bride shots but they do want more of these traditional shots as well).

Simply put, Photographers who specialise in traditional wedding photography understand the importance of capturing memories that will be cherished by the couples and their families for a lifetime.

They work meticulously to ensure no special moment goes undocumented, whether it’s the bride/groom entry, the Jaimal, or the phera. They capture it all, what else do they capture you ask. Well almost everything, the venue, the guests, the barat, the decoration, you name it they capture it.

They are known for their classic and timeless approach. Here are some of the key characteristics that define this style:

Posed Portraits: 

The first and most foremost job of a traditional wedding photographer is to work closely with the couple and their families to capture formal and posed portraits. This also includes group photos with family and the wedding party (a couple of individual shots of the bride and groom is a must have).

Shot List: 

A good traditional wedding photographer always keeps a list of predetermined shots with him/her to ensure that all important moments are captured and nothing is missed. This list might include the getting ready shots, entry shots, jaimal shots, and more

Consistency: 

This style focuses on creating a cohesive set of images that tell the story of the day. One thing to keep in mind when doing traditional photography is the use of consistent lighting, angles, and compositions as it helps achieve a unified aesthetic.

Attention to Detail: 

Detail can make or break a photo. Good traditional wedding photographers always pay close attention to the details that make each wedding unique, such as the bride’s dress (lehenga shoot), groom’s attire (Sherwani shoot), floral arrangements, and venue decorations. Though what I have seen is that this role is oftentime perceived to be that of a candid photographer.

What I have learned over the years is that wedding traditional photography offers a reliable and structured approach which not only appeals to couples but also captures their wedding day in a classic, elegant and timeless manner.

Advantages of Traditional Wedding Photography

In recent years Candid wedding photography has been gaining a lot of popularity which has made some photographers doubt traditional wedding photography but what they don’t know is that traditional wedding photography comes with several advantages of its own that make it an irreplaceable and popular choice for couples planning their special day. 

Traditional Photography allows you to capture the whole story of the wedding, something that candid photography can never do. No matter how good candid photos turn out to be. Traditional photos will always have their own special place

lawa daan - Traditional Wedding Photography

Here are some benefits of opting for this style for your work:

Timeless Quality: 

For the last few decades the classical approach to traditional Indian wedding photography has ensured that the photos you take stand the test of time. 

Specially, the focus on capturing formal portraits and key moments means that the wedding album will remain relevant and cherished for generations.

Family Inclusion: 

If you have ever done traditional photography then you must be familiar with this point. Traditional Indian wedding photographers prioritise capturing moments with family members and the wedding party, you get tons of group photos and candid shots of each and every guest present at the wedding. 

Predictable Results: 

Unlike candid wedding photography which is all unplanned and unpredictable, traditional wedding photography can give you predictable results. With a traditional wedding photography shot list and well-planned timeline you can guarantee that all key moments of your wedding will be captured. 

You can learn more about wedding timeline from this youtube video by John Branch, though it might not be of that much direct help to you if you are an Indian traditional wedding photographer but still you’ll gain a lot of benefits idirectly

Guidance and Support: 

As a traditional photographer you’ll often have to take the role of directing and organising groups for photos, this gives you the opportunity to take photos of couples and guess who may be a little camera shy and would have avoided the camera completely if not asked for the photo upfront. 

This will allow you to capture every guest present on the wedding day which, believe me will be greatly appreciated by the client.

Easily Shareable Photos: 

While non-traditional wedding photography can be more interesting, guess what the family cares more about – sharing the photos of the ceremony where each and every member of the family was present. Wedding traditions photography shots are what the family shares the most.

Disadvantages of Traditional Wedding Photography

Though traditional wedding photography has its fair share of merits but just like every good thing it also comes with some potential drawbacks that must be considered as well. 

I personally am a more creative person and I try to come up with creative photoshoot ideas, you can check my work by visiting the homepage.

My style does not align too much with the old traditional way of photography, so even when I am doing traditional photography I try to get creative with it so that I enjoy doing it, but that’s just me. Your case can be different!

Bride Entry - Traditional Wedding Photography

Here are a few reasons you might want to weigh your options before choosing to work with this style:

Lack of Creativity: 

If you are someone who loves to experiment, someone who loves trial and error, the kind of soul that wants to explore all the possibilities then the structured nature of traditional wedding photography can lead to your dissatisfaction with your own work. 

This style typically follows a standard shot list, which may limit opportunities for capturing spontaneous or unique moments.

Less Candid Moments: 

This one is a no brainer, you are not the candid photographer – this is just not the role you have to play.

Traditional photographers simply focus more on posed portraits and formal shots, which can result in fewer candid, natural moments being captured. 

If you are someone who values authentic, in-the-moment photos then I must break it to you but this style might not fully meet your needs.

Time-Consuming: 

Yep, you read it right – time consuming. Traditional photography can be more time-intensive due to the emphasis on formal group shots and set poses. 

This may take up more time during your wedding day potentially limiting the time you have to enjoy the celebration with your guests (Although that is not your primary reason for being there but hey we all love sharing happiness with each other so why not enjoy a little as well).

Potential for Staged Feeling: 

A photograph is all about the feel of it and a few staged photos can do but the problem is that the focus on posed portraits and formal shots can sometimes make photos feel staged or unnatural. 

Now, chances are that it may not align with your vision and perspective about photography. Maybe you are more into capturing genuine emotions and interactions of people but guess what you’ll have to sacrifice it.

As a traditional wedding photographer it becomes your responsibility to take posed and formal shots.

I believe that by now you I have helped you to get an understanding of what would be typical of traditional wedding photography and the expectation that everyone has from you as a traditional photographer.

Now if you are looking for something more specific than traditional wedding photography then you can check out my article on Bengali wedding photography, Telugu wedding photography and Marathi wedding photography as well.

I have dived deep in each article to explore the culture of each state and how you should approach your photograph in each specific case.

Conclusion

To conclude I would like to say that traditional wedding photography is a very reliable and structured approach which will without a doubt be appreciated by couples and families seeking classic and timeless images that captures the essence of their most special day.

This style of wedding photography focuses more on documenting important moments, formal portraits, and family inclusions, creating a wedding album that can be cherished for generations.

It does come with its fair share of advantages like  predictability, guidance, and easily shareable photos, it also has potential drawbacks. The biggest drawback for most photographers I believe is limited opportunities for creativity.

As a traditional wedding photographer you play a very important role of balancing all these aspects and ensuring that all the important moments of the wedding are captured in your frame while at the same time you also have to make sure that you do not hinder the unique atmosphere of the day for your shots.

It hardly matters whether you are drawn to traditional or candid photography, finding a style that aligns with your preferences and vision is what will ultimately result in a successful wedding photography career .

So keep experimenting and try new things until you find your style and calling. If you want to get a deeper understanding about photography you can pick one of the books from my best photography books list. 

If you have anything that you would like to ask feel free to ask me in the comment. I’ll meet you in the next article, until then capture the world one frame at a time.