What Do All Those Wedding Photography Terms Mean?
It can be very helpful to understand all the strange wedding photography terms in use today. This article was written to help you get to understand some of the terms used in regard to your wedding photography.
RAW and JPEG
- RAW – Raw files is a term used to describe the image files before they are edited. Not yet ready for print. Like a cake before you put it in the oven. All ingredients are included, but doesn't look anything like the final product.
- JPEG – Your image files are converted into a format that will allowing viewing and printing.
Traditional Wedding Photography
Traditional wedding photos are the standard portraits, poses, and events taken at weddings. These are the images that we get at every wedding. For example, bride and groom standing side by side looking at the camera, or the exchanging of rings and kiss during the ceremony.
The difference between editing and retouching
- Editing – This is where we adjust your photos. If we need to make them brighter or darker or enhance the colors. This is our editing process. We can also take the color out and make the image a black and white photo.
- Retouching – During our editing process, retouching is where we can remove blemishes and smooth out skin, minor adjustments, etc.
Candid Wedding Photography
Candid images are photos that are not posed, but are taken as they happen. They are very much spontaneous and are different for every single wedding. They aren’t set up ahead of time.
Proofing and Culling
- Proof – Your proofs will be a group of the best images from your wedding photography, but not the final version.
- Cull – This is the process where we eliminate ‘bad’ or duplicate images before you get your proofs. A bad image would be one that is way too dark, bright, blurry, someone blinked, etc. We also take out similar images so you don’t have to look through hundreds of the same photo over and over again.
This is when a photo is posed like a style that can be found on Pinterest. We often have clients show us Pinterest boards they’ve created of different images they like. For some Pinterest Wedding Ideas, check out my Pinterest Boards. Wedding Cakes, Weddings
What are Digital Images
- Digital Images – We are digital wedding photographers, meaning that we use memory cards instead of film. We load all of our images onto a computer and we send you digital copies of the images via a flash drive. We do not print your images before we deliver them to you. You take them yourself to be printed by a photo lab of your choice.
Romantic
These are images that are based on the couple and shows them interacting with one another and being cuddly toward each other. They are sweet and more natural poses.
The Difference Between High Res and Low Res Images
- High Res – This term is short for High Resolution and means that the image is good for printing.
- Low Res – Low Res images can be used for online purposes. They are for sharing on social media, etc, but not to be printed.
Fun
Fun photos are spontaneous, in the moment photos where the couple or bridal party acts silly and loosens up as opposed to the sometimes stiff feeling of formal photos.
Details
Detail shots are just that – pictures of details, like the flowers, your rings, place settings, shoes, jewelry, food, etc.
Bridal Party
This includes your maid (or matron) of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearer, flower girl, and ushers.
What Does it Mean When Your Wedding Photographer Says to "Get on the Same Plane"?
- Same Plane – When we are taking photos and we tell you to ‘Get on the same plane’ that means that we want all of your faces/bodies to be at the same distance from the camera, so that everyone can remain in focus.
Formals
Formal photos are typically done after the ceremony (sometimes before) where the family and bridal party gets together with the bride and groom and takes photos where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling. There are a variety of photo groups depending on the family & bridal party and with whom you want photos.
Photojournalistic (PJ)
– This is a style of photography that is based on candid images. There is no real posing to it, but rather capturing events as they happen.
First Look
A first look is when the bride and groom or bride and father see each other before the ceremony in a private meeting while being photographed. The bride usually comes up behind the groom or father and taps him on the shoulder and they see each other for the first time. In my case, it seems the brides like the groom to see them for the first time at the ceremony. I've had many do a first look with their fathers though.
What is A La Carte?
- A La Carte Images – This is when you purchase images individually and not as part of a package.
In Conclusion
I hope this helps you to understand your wedding photographer better when you are discussing your wedding day photography! If you would like to see if I am available for your wedding day, check out my availability.
