Growing up in the 70′s which arguably could have been the time for the most over the top, kitchy styles ever I have a deep aversion to “trendy” things. I am always worried that this years hot Pantone color for weddings will be the Harvest Gold and Avocado Green of my youth some day. Admittedly, I have a hard time embracing the new trends in wedding photography which may be a bit surprising seeing that I am in the the ever-changing wedding industry. It’s been a joke with my peers that I’d rather get a job at Target than take faux vintage yellow toned pictures in a field. (I often refer to this type of processing as “the urine action”…why do you want photos that look like they’ve been peed on?)
I know it’s “cool”. Right now.
I know it’s “cute”. Right now.
But in 20 years what will these photos mean to you? What will they say about you as a couple? That you dressed up in outfits you would never wear to create a scene that would look good on bridal blogs? Imagine explaining that to your kids. Well, right after you try and explain what a blog was, which I am guessing will be like when I tried to explain to my kids that we didn’t have computers in college, we had “word processing machines”. They did not compute.
Here’s where I have to put in the disclaimer: If you really ARE into vintage things, if it’s your “thing”…then you go with your bad self on that theme for your wedding. Really. Just like if you love Evel Knevil and incorporate him into your wedding (happened…not kidding, in 1998) and it’s representative of YOU as a couple then that’s great. Anything that personalizes your wedding will enhance your day AND your photos because it will feel natural to you. But choosing a theme because it’s the “hot trend” I feel will ultimately disappoint over time.
Kind of how I feel about my senior photos with the Izod “popped” collar I wore.
So I did a tiny bit of a happy dance when I came upon this article on Huffpost Weddings about The End of the Vintage Wedding Trend.
I might have even had a glass of wine or two and toasted myself and done some ranting about how wedding photojournalism is back, I can’t say for sure.
A few days later I came across this image, that I swear to you took my breath away. I look at a lot…and I mean a lot of really good wedding photography on sites like ISPWP. I glance, I nod, I ooh and ahh once in awhile and sometimes I even cringe. But this image knocked my freaking socks off. Bear with me, I’m an artist and a little ADD, so you’ll see the image in a moment.
(Note to self: Stop calling them images. People like it when you say “photo”. Squirrel!)
I live and breathe for “moment driven photos” The photo that Henri Cartier Bresson called “The Decisive Moment”. The photo that if you had snapped the shutter one millisecond of a moment before or after it wouldn’t have been the same impact. I’ve taken only a handful of those photos in my career by my estimation. My clients probably feel differently (dear deity of your choice I hope so) but in the past few years two jump to mind so I’ll share them. These photos, to me, need no caption.
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And this photo, of the recently wed Lauren Bush by photographer Norman Jean Roy from Vogue BLOWS MY MIND.
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This image photo could have been taken 100 years ago or today. This is….well, I have no other words but this photo is the SHIT. It’s beautiful. It’s timeless.
It needs no caption.
There are no whimsical oversized balloons.
Yes, it’s posed. But wouldn’t you agree it’s still a “Decisive Moment”? Does this photo speak to you as it does to me?
Discuss
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It speaks to me, indeed. But not as loudly and profoundly (yet a clear soft whisper over my shoulder) as your first photo above. I remember the first time I saw that IMAGE. It truly took my God-given breath away. I sat frozen, stunned, just staring as the image blurred because my eyes welled up with a huge puddle of tears. It is life, love and commitment, heartache and excitement, wonder and astonishment, fear and resolve.
Everything a photo should be, which needs no caption! Continue to be amazing! Continue to amaze. I love you.
Ladies and gentleman, Bob…my first high school puppy love. Can you see why? I love you too Bob
Thanks for your comments. We need a box of wine soon!
Who is Evil Knevil?
: D
Just kidding!
Great post Kim!
Kim, I love you. But this portrait by NJR is a far cry from what HCB would have considered a “Decisive Moment”. It’s a lovely portrait. Lovely. Timeless and classic in some aspects, but honestly, the dopey retro clothes, imho, run the risk of falling into the same “What The Hell Was I Thinking” category years from now. I would have been a greater fan of this photo if the couple in it were wearing clothes from this time period rather than pretending to be Wyatt Earp and Josie Marcus.
Nice to see someone shooting on film, though.
THIS. This blog post really hits home with all the things that have been running through my mind lately. Classic and lovely posing, decisive moments that are full of real emotion… this is what I feel I am meant to do. Two weeks ago I heard an amazing presentation about true photojournalism by Evan Baines, who referenced some amazing photographers from the last 50 years, and pretty much knocked my socks off. It’s so easy to take candids that don’t mean anything, but documenting an emotional moment that can make the viewer instantly have a reaction to it is a gift. Love that first image… err… photo… above. Well, all three that you posted. Powerful stuff. Thanks for sharing.
I agree with Bob and I agree with Dan, I prefer your first image because that one represents “The Decisive Moment.”
I am also very excited about the formal, classic and photo-journalistic images making their way back!
I love this post, Kim. Thank you for writing it. (Although I do use the word “image” quite frequently.)
This post almost sounds as if i wrote it. I prefer to work on timeless elegance mixed with emotion and art rather than follow the latest over Photoshopped trend that is pimped by wedding blogs and magazines.
I want my clients to be proud and excited by their images years later rather than cringing at the way they look so dated.