On Cinematic Wedding Photography
As you’re planning your wedding, you might be envisioning picture-perfect portraits. Unique photos, bold and full of character. A cinematic wedding photographer can make that happen. I am one and would love tell you about it…
Warning: Posed Photos Ahead
I’m Terrence Irving, a cinematic wedding photographer based in Connecticut.
A quick warning: Almost every picture that you see in this post is a posed wedding photo. It started with an idea, continued with some verbal instruction, and resulted in something beautiful.
And that’s a great thing. Let me show you…
Telling Your Story Through Cinematic Wedding Photography
Your wedding day is a tapestry of moments and memories. The key to capturing it with a cinematic style relies on your photographer’s focus on the moments.
From the tearful glances during the vows to the laughter shared with friends, every moment is a scene of your unique movie.
Any cinematic wedding photographer’s goal is to ensure that your wedding photos are not just pictures, but a narrative that you two can relive for years to come.
This mix of direction and letting the moment unfold is what makes cinematic wedding photography so special. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between posed perfection and capturing those real, heartfelt emotions.
And what about where you’re getting married? It really doesn’t matter whether it’s a mansion, boat, or a campground. Keep in mind that movies are made in all kinds of environments, too.
Trusting your photographer’s artistic vision is key! They’ll use their expert eye to set up stunning scenes and guide you into poses that look as effortlessly elegant, natural, fun, and/or bold as you want.
Therefore, it’s important to choose your wedding photographer carefully.
As a wedding photographer, I feel that the storytelling aspect is just as important as the Hollywood approach. I strive to create a visual narrative that reflects the couple’s journey, their love story, and the essence of their relationship.
It’s not just about taking pictures, it’s about crafting a collection of images that tell your unique story in a way that feels both intimate and grand.
How do cinematic wedding photographers do it?
There’s nothing wrong with conventional wedding photos. Except for the fact that they’re…conventional.
In contrast, great cinematic wedding photography combines a variety of artistic techniques to create images that are both visually striking and emotionally resonant.
Here are some of the methods which can be used to add a different layer of depth and creativity to your wedding story, making yours stand out from traditional wedding photos:
Motion Blur
Intentional motion blur is a technique that adds a sense of movement and dynamism to your wedding photos.
When applied with skill and precision, this technique captures the essence of key moments in an artistic and authentic manner.
It could be anything from the swirl of your dress during the first dance or the joyful chaos of your wedding party running laps past back and forth past you…motion blur is an effective cinematic wedding photography technique when used well.
Elegant Use of Flash
Mastery of flash is another hallmark of cinematic style. A well-placed flash can transform a simple shot into something Hollywood.
Photography is, after all, all about light. Using flash well can add a layer of sophistication and drama to a moment. Whether it’s a dramatic portrait or a lively dance floor scene, the use of flash can make an image look like it belongs on a movie poster.
Truthfully, not every wedding photographer excels in using flash. It’s really not as simple as blasting light everywhere and hoping for the best.
Bold Composition
Bold composition might be the backbone of good cinematic wedding photography. It involves the intentional arrangement of subjects and elements within the frame to create an impactful image. Risk-taking is needed here.
Great composition can turn a simple moment into a work of art. This can elevate wedding photography from “nice picture” to “wow that’s amazing.”
For example, using leading lines, symmetry, and negative space can add depth and interest to your wedding photos. These techniques require a keen eye and a lot of creativity, but when done right, they create images that are not only beautiful, but also possibly meaningful.
This is what being a cinematic wedding photographer is all about!
Helpful and Effective Posing Direction
For some reason, the p-word, or “posing,” gets a bad rap. Undoubtedly, this is because people think of a corny photographer telling them to say “cheese” when they hear the word. But the truth is that good posing is instrumental to cinematic wedding photography.
Being in front of the camera can be intimidating for many people, and a good photographer knows how to ease that tension. Clear and simple directions from the photographer help the couple feel comfortable and confident, leading to more natural and elegant images.
Also, practice makes perfect, which is why I include an engagement session with all of my wedding photography packages.
Art imitates life. Therefore, my goal at any wedding is to create a series of portraits that feel situational and spontaneous, reflecting the dynamic nature of love.
Incorporating Fashion, Themes, and the Environment
Incorporating fashion, themes, and the environment into your wedding photos is another way to add depth to the creativity. This can include everything from the couple’s attire, to props, to the details of the venue and décor.
Things can get really specific here, because sometimes my couples share themes or preferences with me before (or during) their wedding day. Tailoring my approach to the couple’s personalities and location helps create a cohesive narrative that feels personal and artistic.
I especially enjoy working with groups, helping couples and their friends and family to almost be actors in their own love story movie.
But this aspect of cinematic wedding photography feels especially worthwhile when the couple says to me, “Yeah this is definitely us.” Light sabers have that effect.
If you’re genuinely looking for a cinematic wedding photographer, you’re in the right place
Capturing the vibe of your wedding day is the secret sauce—it’s all about the feels!
When I work, make sure to bring together the cinematic style you’re learning about here as well as elements of storytelling.
Sounding good to you? Then just click the button below to head to my pricing page and learn more about my offerings.
But don’t just take it from me…
Our photos show off the real emotion and fun of the wedding, with plenty of epic, high-drama photos that we wouldn’t do any time except for our wedding day. The prints we ordered are equally stunning and really high quality. We are so glad we got to work with Terrence and hope we have the chance to do so in the future!
Ann & Zach
Oh yes, engagement sessions…
Yours will be like the dress rehearsal before the big production of your wedding day.
Wedding Prints: Like an Oscars Statue
One of my main values as a wedding photographer is physical artwork. That’s why I include prints in every wedding package.
Why expend all that energy creating awesome photos if you have to then pull out a phone every time you want to enjoy them?
Preserve your blockbuster of a wedding day the right away, with albums and wall art that’ll last for centuries.
Lights
Camera
Action
Terrence Irving is a cinematic wedding photographer.
I’m a wedding photographer based in Connecticut with a passion for creating. With every wedding I photograph, I’m aiming to give my clients photos that make them say, “wow.” My artistically-engineered approach to wedding photography uniquely and consistently enables this.
If you’re looking for your wedding photographer, then you’re in the right place! Drop me a line via my contact page and we’ll go from there.