Photojournalism as an Approach

My wife, Rachel, is reading Henri-Cartier Bresson's The Mind's Eye and she came across a great quote about photojournalism:

"Manufactured or staged photography does not concern me. There are those who take photographs arranged beforehand, and those who go out to discover the image and seize it. For me the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity, the master of the instant..."

After making the switch from shooting for newspapers and magazines to shooting weddings, I've made an observation: The definition of "photojournalism" varies greatly between the two industries.

As a student at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, I learned that photographing subjects using a reactive approach was fundamental to the art of storytelling. Manipulation of a subject by a photographer was no different than a reporter fabricating quotes. The credibility of our publication was always paramount. We were taught that photojournalists should strictly document reality, and should not stage or pose photos.

As a wedding photographer, my primary responsibility is no longer to preserve the integrity of journalism, but rather to create an experience for our clients that will enable them to re-live their wedding day through photographs.

I can't help but remember my roots in journalism as I shoot weddings. The "hands off" approach I adhered to in the journalism world suits my new career path.

I've noticed that the wedding photography industry often defines photojournalism by stylistic attributes: black-and-white, tilted frames, and photographs that exhibit motion.

For me, as a photojournalist who shoots weddings, it is not about the style of photography, but rather about the approach to shooting the story. My documentary photojournalism roots remind me to avoid manipulating situations. I prefer to allow the scene to unfold before my camera. I believe the result is powerful. Clients receive a portfolio of images that completely reflect reality, allowing them to re-experience what if felt like to be "in the moment" on their wedding day.