Breaking Down a Photographer’s Vocab
What is common industry jargon/lingo?
Photo and video professionals often use the same words to describe our varying styles, but what are they, and what do they mean for those who don’t work in the industry?
When it comes to coverage, there are often 3 tactics employed to get images: candids, prompting and posing.
What does that mean for couples?
It’s important to understand what different styles look like, and how they may play into your wedding vision.
Once you understand your needs, then you can focus on reaching out to creatives that match the style that you’re looking for!
What are candids?
Candids are images that are taken without any interference from the photographer. These are usually not taken straight-on, and are great for capturing real moments on your day.
Popular examples of candids:
people conversing
dancing
getting ready shots
cocktail hours
What about prompting?
Prompting pertains to when a photographer gives clients/subjects a verbal cue that is meant to help them create a certain shot.
For example, I might say “grab her hand and run away from the camera together!”. This gives couples the ability to make the shot more authentic, without forcing the couple to direct the session by themselves. These shots are expressive, emotive, and usually movement based.
Popular examples of prompting:
a couple running along a beach
slow dancing in a field
a line of bridesmaids giggling together
a dip kiss
How about posing?
Posing requires the most interference from a photo/video creative, and entails the subject being told exactly how and what to look like.
For example, one might show an image to achieve a specific look. This gives couples the ability to make their session feel more like a traditional photoshoot . These shots are bold, dramatic, and are still-shots.
Popular examples of posing:
a couple standing dramatically on a stairwell
a bride looking down at her bouquet
a group shot
family photos
It’s important to know that you can have your wedding tailored to your desires when it comes to coverage. In the end, you can choose whether your day runs more candidly, or guided by the coverage and planners.
