Why wedding photos are boring (and how to change that)

If you browse through random wedding photos on the internet, you could soon get bored. You’ll also probably notice something: they’re all kinda similar. But why is this so? In this video, Jamie Windsor discusses why wedding photos are boring, but he also suggests how this can (and should) be changed.

Jamie gives a couple of examples from TV series and movies. He notes that their creators have developed a sort of “cinematic archetype” over time, which they use to tell stories. These are sort of clichés that make us understand the narrative as the audience. While those clichés make us understand the “cinematic language”, it’s not our native language or the reality we recognize. This “language” conveys literal meaning, but it doesn’t make us feel anything

Now, apply this to other forms of art. In this case, apply it to wedding photography. I’m sure you’ve noticed how certain types of shots are trendy in wedding photography and you’ll see them in many photographers’ portfolios. For example, there’s always a photo of the couple’s feet with their shoes on (this one was the first to come to my mind). Or the wedding dress placed against the window. Even photos at the reception are often taken with the same technique: using shutter drag and a wide-angle lens.

Now, you shouldn’t think that these photos are bad. As a matter of fact, they’re important and you should take them. What’s more, they’re also a “safety net.” However, you shouldn’t rely only on them, or your photos will soon look like those from other photographers. They won’t show the uniqueness of the couple involved, but they’ll look like generic wedding photos.

But how can you avoid this and make your photos stand out? Jamie advises that you should look beyond photography. You should work intuitively and forget about shot lists and “formulas” for a while. Instead, look for the genuine, emotional moments to capture. What’s also important is to try new things and think about photos people will be able to connect with.

In one of the comments, Jamie notes that he’s not talking simply about shooting candid photos. After all, you can take even them based on a “formula” taken from photos you’ve already seen somewhere. “What I’m talking about is finding influence and inspiration from outside of photography,” Jamie notes. Make sure to watch the entire video, I’m sure it will get you inspired and help you push your boundaries with your next shoot.

[Why WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY is BORING (and how to change that) | Jamie Windsor]