WEDDING: Photography VS Cinematography

Is there a Difference Between Photography and Cinematography for Weddings?

STILL VS MOVING

It’s simple, right? One is still images and one is moving images. Well, at least that part. There are similarities and differences in wedding photography and wedding cinematography (also known as wedding videography). Photographers and Videographers (Cinematographers or Filmmakers) both create images in a style they are drawn to, to tell the story, but in this case, of a wedding day. Other similar creative and non-creative processes exist, however, today I’m not going to discuss the technical parts of each but the importance of why these can allow your to remember your day to be great, or amazingly unforgettable.

LOOK TO THE BIG SCREEN

Let me explain by going to the theater, the big screen, Hollywood productions, romance, heartbreak, action sequences, explosions…wait, this is getting out of hand. Okay, so unfortunately, you don’t have millions to create your wedding film, very few do or would. But we can learn the significance and importance of a wedding film and cinematography and how its different from photography on a wedding day and why it can even be considered more important. At the very, very least an equal…but better 😉. Let me explain further.

CONNECTIONS AND STORY

A Photographer on a movie set is responsible for capturing behind the scenes (bts) images of the production. This includes candid shots of the cast, the crew and images used for promotions (head shots and posed shots). The Cinematographer is responsible for the artistic and technical aspects of capturing images. Directors and even writers work very closely with the cinematographer to make sure the story is told effectively through video. Some directors even want to be physically involved in the filming. On a movie set, photography plays a vital part in capturing important details, people, production aspects and marketing. However, the cinematography plays most important role in telling the whole story through video. There wouldn’t be a movie without the cinematographer. (Beginning to see any connections yet?)

So how does this relate to weddings and wedding films—and wedding photos? Traditionally, wedding photos and photography have been one of the top if not the top vendors/desires/wants/needs for brides. Even with magazines moving to digital platforms, where video can shine, the magazine’s still push the photos from weddings over the video. Wedding photography is going nowhere and will always hold a top billing for brides and the wedding industry. However, with more creative, story driven, documentary style wedding films. Wedding films and cinematography is quickly becoming a must have among brides.

If we look back to what Set Photographers do during a movie production, this is much like what photographers do on a wedding day. Sure some photographers do more “head shots” and posing than bts or documentary style photos than others, but some are masters at capturing all of this on a wedding day, while not hijacking or interrupting the story, feel or rhythm of the day. (They know it’s not about them, but the couple, the day and the story). Looking at the Cinematographer on set, this really hasn’t changed when really looking at the concept of telling the story through video. However, with weddings being a live event…the wedding filmmaker holds an even more important role, if they understand it. They become the ultimate storyteller. Taking on the role of the set photographer as well- but through video. Capturing behind the scenes, the characters (family, friends, the couple, pets, the set, location, sounds, dialogue, even interviews and documenting pre wedding documentary video.

Looking further into the connections of cinematography and weddings, the story is king. The days of creating a wedding music video are gone, well mostly. People are drawn to story, connections with others, we love to be able to relate to others. Thats what makes a film so good, so captivating, so emotional.

DON’T BE A TOURIST OF YOUR OWN MEMORIES

Daniel Kim, an amazing photographer, once said when talking to brides about their wedding day, “Don’t be a tourist of your own memories”. This means to allow yourself to remember what moments on your day were really like. Do you want to be posed for 5 minutes to get one perfect shot? Do you want to be told every step in where to place your hands, where to look and how to smile when your mom helps you in your dress? How about the 20-45 minutes for each photo session with family, bridal party and couples photos? What will you really do with those pictures? How do you think you will remember that moment when looking at those photos are seeing the moments on video? How many perfect poses will you need for that perfect picture…50, 100? Or do you just need 1 or 2 to show your children, and your grand children…then the rest showing you simply being present on the day. With the photos and video showing them and reminding you of what the day was really like, and how you really felt in those moments you hold in your hand, hand on your wall, set on your desk, see on your phone, play on your computer and watch on your TV. Let the time be spent differently on your day, allow it to hold more meaning, allow it to lend to the story of your life.

Let’s go back again to the Hollywood movie set. What if you wanted your wedding photographer to capture your day like a set photographer? What if your wedding videographer played a much larger role like the cinematographer and director? Both allowing your day to play out, capturing the story and the side stories, the people, the location, the details, the laughs, the grass stains on the dress, the mud on the shoes, the tear streaked makeup, the unexpected moments, the dirt on the train, the rip in the veil, the planned moments, the behind the scenes, and of course a few beautiful poses for your walls and albums. This is all to say…When your 40, 50, 75 years old…do you want to look at your wedding photos, see your wedding film, and have those familiar feelings again that take you back to those moments when a new chapter in the story of your life began? If so, then consider what means most to you, and allow yourself to really remember what your day was really like.

So in the end, your wedding photos and video are very important in their own way, similarly and differently…if done well by the right creative people for you, that understands your wedding day vision, your story, and your journey as a couple.

And as a last note…This cannot be achieved without good communication before and during your planning process to the photographer and videographer of your choice. As well as your planner. If one vendor hold this philosophy toward a wedding day, the other does not, this can drastically effect the outcome of one or the other, or both end products of your photo and video.