about my wedding photography style and philosophy behind it

guests falling on the wet dance floor in Prevailing Winds lodge wedding

what’s my wedding photography style and philosophy behind it?

I talked in detail what are the most common wedding photography styles and what are their pros and cons in previous posts. This article will explain what is my photography style and will dig into I do things the way I do. I will also also include image examples from the wedding I’ve photographed in the past.

I specialize in a wedding photojournalism, also known as documentary wedding photography. During this style of wedding photography coverage, I do not control or manipulate the scenes that I am witnessing. I approach wedding day events without predefined judgment. I take whatever life throws at me and make wedding story out of it.

Below is some wedding photojournalism principles I follow and my reasoning behind them.

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I won’t tell you where to stand or what to do

Seriously, I won’t. If you’ll ask me for some guidance, I will definitely help you out. But I will do my best to not interrupt your wedding day thoughts and happenings in any way. It’s you day. I am there document it with my camera, not to be part of your memories.

wedding photographer philosophy: I won't touch or move things around while groom is getting ready with bride's picture dressed up in other room

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I won’t touch or move things around.

It’s pretty straightforward: if I do, I start creating my own story. It’s your day. It’s your story. No touching!

Maybe there is not story behind why this banana was left on the wows. But maybe there is. And I am fine with “maybe”. And if I am right, I just captured an image that will trigger your smile every time you see it. And if I am wrong, well, I’m wrong.

types of wedding photography-wedding photojournalism: banana fruit is laying on top of brides wedding vows

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I won’t create my version of your story.

Why should I? It’s your wedding day, it’s your story!

an example of wedding photojournalism: flower girls are very excited about bride and groom

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I won’t boss you around.

I will be there with you but I will stay quiet. I will observe and listen, but I won’t really talk unless asked to do so. I will let you experience and enjoy those intimate and genuine moments of your magic day.

wedding photography style: photojournalism. Gay couple standing on Madison Children’s Museum rooftop and enjoying private moment

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I will let you be true you.

Seriously. It’s YOUR wedding day ! You are surrounded by people who love you most. And you (hopefully) won’t be judged for who you are. So why pretend to be someone you are not? Be yourself, I’ve got your back!
Let’s have a fucking party like there’s no tomorrow!!!

wedding photography style: photojournalism. four adult people doing shots from shot ski______________

I hope you like my wedding photography style and wedding photojournalism is wedding photography style you are looking for. If you have any questions or interest in my services, do not hesitate shoot me a message via contact links below or check out commonly asked questions in my FAQ page. Give me a shout! I would love to be part your your wedding day!

James Madison Park wedding in Madison, WI | Cindy + Martin

bride and groom with sparklers standing on the dock at James Madison park wedding

 

+ James Madison park wedding in Madison, WI

Cindy and Martin have met at a spaghetti dinner the night before Martin ran the Tough Mudder (!!!) competition with a group of mutual friends. Cindy was only there for the spaghetti. In the end, guess she ended up getting a bit more.

Their first date took place at the Mediterranean Cafe on the State Street about week later. Couple got ice cream at the Memorial Union Terrace afterwards. And the rest is history (:

I’ve met Martin in their house on the Park street where I photographed him getting dressed. I witnessed him put to  and moved on to see what Cindy was up to.

I’ve met Cindy in The Madison Concourse hotel where she got ready surrounded by immediate family and bridesmaids. That part of the day was filled with laughter through tears (after opening Martin’s wedding gift), raw emotions and lots of hugs.

Wedding definitely doesn’t need to be this over-the-roof extravaganza to be special. In fact, spending big money for the wedding and expecting it to be amazing just because of that, couldn’t be further from the truth. And Cindy’s and Martin’s James Madison park celebration is a good proof of it. Their wedding was simple and modest, yet delightful and very much inspiring.

Lawn games, dancing in the tent filled with beautiful afternoon light, keg stand, sparklers, big bottle of bourbon passed around, mysterious smiley face on grass in front of the reception tent. All these elements happened to be in James Madison Park wedding that day. And it all made Cindy’s and Martin’s wedding special and unique.

And I’ve been there to witness it all.

I love my job!

 

To see a full gallery from Cindy’s and Martin’s James Madison park wedding, click >> HERE <<.

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groom is getting ready for his James Madison park wedding in Madison, Wisconsin groom is wrapping up a wedding gift to his wife to be Asian American bride is tearing during getting ready in Concourse Hotel, Madison WI bride and father of the bride are walking to the James Madison park wedding ceremony bride walks by wedding guests before James Madison park wedding ceremony James Madison park wedding ceremony with lake Mendota in the backgroundbride is hugging guests in James Madison park outdoor wedding bride hugging the groom during their first dance James Madison park outdoor wedding little girl on a dancefloor during wedding reception in James Madison park wide angle view of James Madison park with a wedding tent and lake Mendota in the background wedding guests are dancing in tent at the James Madison park wedding reception bride and groom are hugging during the first dance in James Madison park wedding a wedding portrait of bride and groom in James Madison park on a shore of lake Mendotabride and groom playing bean bag toss at their James Madison park wedding reception wedding witnesses are signing marriage license certificate groom is resting his head on brides shoulder during marriage license signing wedding guests are performing keg stand at the James Madison park wedding in Madison, WI wedding tent in James Madison park during the sunset James Madison park with wedding guests on the dock during the lake Mendota sunset bride and groom with sparklers standing on the dock in James Madison park

To see more photographs from Cindy’s and Martins’s outdoor wedding, click >> HERE <<.

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Planning your wedding in James Madison Park upcoming summer? Need local wedding photographer? Look no further! I’m an outdoors loving, laid-back wedding photographer from Madison, Wisconsin and would love to be on your outdoors wedding team. See my wedding photography FAQ page and give me a shout via my contact page!

JAMES MADISON PARK WEDDING MADISON, WI VENDORS:

Getting Ready location: The Madison Concourse Hotel
Ceremony and Reception: James Madison Park
Floral: Lewiston Perennial Farm
Catering: Smokey Jon’s
Rentals: Mad Fox Party Rentals

Na zdrowie to Katrina, Jeff and their Hubbard park wedding

bride and groom posing in Hubbard Park pedestrian tunnel after their wedding

 

+ Hubbard park wedding in Milwaukee, WI

 

Want to hear my little secret?

There’s this kind of people. When presented with safe (less rewarding) and risky (more rewarding) solutions for certain situation, they choose the latter one.

Some of my wedding couples that do behave that way. I believe, I am that kind of person myself.

You know how I call my wedding couples that take risks? Gamblers!

And, boy oh boy, I love gamblers!

That’s who Katrina and Jeff were.

Their outdoor wedding ceremony in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was planned for October 21st, 2017. And in Midwest terms it’s definitely a serious gamble. Because during my wedding photographer’s career, I’ve seen snow in early October.

Anyway, I’m glad they went for it! Because, it was the last, please, hear me out, THE LAST, nice day that fall. It was high 70’s, it was sunny. That was Saturday. And the weather went all down to hell on Sunday. But who cares about Sunday, right?

Katrina’s and Jeff s outdoor wedding ceremony took place in Hubbard park, situated on the shore of Milwaukee River, overlooking river and greenery surrounding it. If you ask me, Hubbard park as a wedding venue is one of better kept secrets in Milwaukee area.

Throughout the wedding ceremony, couple and their bridal party were back lit by late afternoon fall sun. Combine it with a good wedding ceremony vibes, and” Boom!”, you’ve got yourself a combination any wedding photographer would die for.

And honestly, Katrina’s and Jeff’s wedding had it all: laidback schedule, amazing weather, good crowd, amazing river views in both locations- wedding ceremony and reception.

And for the last wedding of the season, I couldn’t have asked for more!

Na zdrowie, you two!

See full gallery from Katrina’s and Jeff’s Hubbard park wedding in Milwaukee, WI >>HERE<<.

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bridesmaids are laughing during getting ready in hotel Metro, Milwaukee bride is getting her hair done during getting ready in hotel Metro, Milwaukee bride is making up faces surround by children in hotel Metro, Milwaukeebridal party is making a toast and drinking in hotel Metro bride is getting her hair done during getting ready in hotel Metro, Milwaukee guests arriving to Hubbard Park wedding ceremony in Milwaukee, WI bride smoking a cigarette before wedding ceremony in Hubbard Park, Milwaukee Hubbard Park wedding ceremony overlooking Milwaukee river bride and groom are kissing after their wedding ceremony in Hubbard Park wedding guests clapping and laughing after Hubbard Park wedding ceremonybride, groom and bridal party raising a toast in Hubbard park beer garden bride and groom kissing on the Partridge Family Party Bus bride and groom in Hubbard Park pedestrian tunnel after their wedding bridal party dancing in the Partridge Family Party Bus elevated bride with a ship passing by in Milwaukee river, Third Ward bride’s and groom’s first dance at the Surg on the Water wedding reception groom is dancing with his mother at the Surg on the Water wedding receptionwoman and kid are dancing at the Surg on the Water wedding reception bride is laughing while looking at the groom during wedding reception groomsmen trying to catch garter at the Surg on the Water wedding reception Surg on the Water riverfront and Milwaukee river at night time

 

HUBBARD PARK WEDDING MILWAUKEE, WI VENDORS:

Getting ready: Hotel Metro
Transportation: Partridge Family Party Bus
Wedding ceremony location: Hubbard Park, Milwaukee, WI
Wedding reception location: Surg On The Water
DJ/Music: DJ Fuzzy Logic
Honeymoon: Iceland
Wedding Date: 10.21.2017

HIGH POINT CHURCH WEDDING | SALLY AND SUNIL

  HIGH POINT CHURCH WEDDING I did photograph Sally’s and Sunil’s engagement session in Picnic Point in late Fall 2013. That day via lakeshore bike path at the University of Wisconsin Campus we walked from the popular Memorial Union Terrace to beautiful Picnic Point stopping at numerous locations in between and getting the most out […]

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HOLY WISDOM MONASTERY WEDDING :: MELISSA AND TERRANCE

  HOLY WISDOM MONASTERY WEDDING Melissa and Terrance had their wedding ceremony at the Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton. One of the last weddings of the season was filled with excitement yet calm and magical. Couple got married on a beautifully vivid October Saturday, right before sunset. I love kids at the wedding. They always add […]

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