The Top Wedding Photography Trends for 2020
As a leading wedding photographer in Dallas, TX, you want your wedding photographer to capture every moment.
- the moment she said YES…
- the moment mom zips us the dress and puts the veil in your hair…
- the moment he sees the bride coming down the isle…
- the father dancing with his newly-married daughter…
And there are so many other magical moments I could list like these you want to not just remember in your mind, but be able to SHARE — with friends and family, and evenyually with your own children too.
Years later pictures, happily married couples report that, above all else, it is their wedding photos that carry them back to re-experience those great moments surrounding their wedding.
Looking at the current wedding photography trends. Including all the changes surrounding adapting to the Wuhan Virus, you want your wedding pictures to be fresh and unique, but you also want to utilize the best methods possible to get the right pictures.
Professional wedding photography has adapted to the cultural, economic and dare I say “medical” issues of 2020. Here are our favorite trends that you’re sure to see this year.
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY TRENDS THAT ARE DOMINATING SOUTHERN WEDDINGS IN 2020
Take a look at these contemporary trends to make the most of your wedding, and its photography memories:
1. PHOTOGRAPH THE WEDDING PROPOSAL
It is all about the emotion — the moment. An amazing wedding begins with the proposal. In 2020, savvy grooms hire photographers to photograph their proposal.
How it usually unfolds is that the groom wants me there discretely. So this is not often in a restauraunt, becuase I cannot hide and zoom in with a long lens in that environment. So, often this takes place at a nice outdoor setting, such as the Dallas Arboretum. I can blend in with the other visitors, stand back and zoom in.
They will explore some of the buautiful and lush areas inside the Dallas arboretum, until that moment — the moment he surprises her with that ring. That moment happens in a second — you need an experienced photographer that is ready, the right angle, and so forth. The expression on the face is that exact moment. It is harder to photograph than you think it is.
After she says yes, then we’re already in a great place to get some additional portraits of the two of you, as freshly engaged! Let me capture the joy that a successful proposal creates!
2. SMALLER CEREMONIES
Here in the South, we’re used to larger wedding ceremonies, compared to the rest of the nation. Weddings in Dallas used to average 150 guests. Of course their are smaller and larger, but the trend in 2020 is smaller actual ceremonies. The extended family and friends list, not attending in person, is thus more reliant than ever on your online wedding photography gallery, which now becomes central after the day.
Personally, have always had my “Intimate Package” tailor-made for those smaller wedding of 90 guests or less. But in 2020, the norm is 50 wedding guests. (yes, that means sometimes smaller than 50 as well) That means several significant changes as far as your photography is concerned:
- the ceremony is more casual (in dress, in catering, in music) …and in a photography style that now centers around getting great candids of you and your guests/relatives enjoying being together.
- the photoshoots surrounding the acutal ceremony, become MUCH more important to document your wedding — the proposal photoshoot, bridal boudoir session, the bridal portraits, the first look portraits, photos with groomsmen and bridesmaids, and even a “trash the dress” photoshoot after your honeymoon!
All this means that you need to be sure to ask your photographer for a “size friendly” wedding photography package, but also be sure to include what some used to consider the “extras” — those multiple portrait sessions I just mentioned. Those will serve as your “official” wedding phototos, and the ceremony/reception wedding photography will be what everyone shares on their social media.
3. UNCONVENTIONAL WEDDING LOCATIONS
Traditionally your wedding would be in a church or a venue designed specifically to host weddings. All this training to “social distance” has changed that.
In 2020, weddings are in less “official” locations, such as a nice home with a back yard or a lake lot. And maybe a large back yard with an air-conditioned tent setup to celebrate in? All this makes for a more intimate setting — not like the traditional church stage with built-in lighting and so forth. Not the usual hotel ballroom receptions with their dance floors and amenities. The more laid-back setting lends itself to wedding reception photos enjoying that moment with your closest friends!
These smaller ceremonies and less formal wedding venues, mean that you really need to take into account the temerature and weather. Summers are hot in Dallas, so weddings need to be earlier in the morning (which is less friendly to your quests) or in the evening (but again don’t expect great photos if thinks get dark).
This is so KEY to getting great photos and also a great overall wedding day experience, of course. Yet so many don’t give these very practical aspects enough weight. I will talk with you about your goals, from simple to intricate, to position and plan for the happiest outcome in terms of wedding day photography that is both smart and beautiful. The result is memories that you’ll thank me later, and for years to come!
4. FLYING DRONES FOR PHOTO/VIDEO
Surprise, no, this is NOT a trend in 2020. I repeat: NOT. Those buzzing drones are distracting and overdone. Drones, like selfie sticks and colored smoke bombs and blowing glitter, are so 2017 and we’ve moved beyond them.
Sure, if your cousin has his drone, then expect him to pull it out and fly it around for some amature action, but practically speaking, from tons of experience, a drone limits your wedding experience. I mean (to do it right) you really have to plan for it a lot and really shape your ceremony AROUND the drone — how you walk, the angle of the sun, not getting in the way of guests and obstacles like trees, wind, cables, a drone accident, and on and on. It’s a hassel, frankly, if you want truly professional drone imagery — and something that requires more than a drone you can simply buy off of Amzon. So if you like your drone, you might as well use your drone — just don’t make it a significant portion of what you count on — either for wedding video or wedding photos.
5. INCLUDE SOCIAL SHARING
The impact of social media only continues to grow as the “go to” way to share photos to friends and family. People want to see photos IMMEDIATLY, and often that means taking mediocre photos with the cell phone camera lens — not the best, but it is immediate. However for photos that actually look GOOD, I deliver that “social sharing” dimension to your wedding photography through a very professional online wedding photo gallery.
This way friends and family (all over the world), can both view your photos, and order prints for themsleves of any photo they choose. If you book your Dallas wedding photography with my, we can talk about this in more detail, and I’ll be happy to show you samples.
The physical, bulky wedding photo album has all but dissappeared (mom might want one though…), and “photo booths” remain popular in 2020, except the booth around the photo booth has evolved out of the photo booth. There are cheesy ways to do this, and slick ways to do this (that means guest-friendy), so I counsel the brides and grooms I photography on how to choose a option that has the winning set of features: fun, quick, high quality, and technifally friendly. There are now some great options that include lighting, hashtags, WiFi enabled social sharing and so forth.
CELEBRATE THE LOVE
Your wedding will be one of the most cherished days of your life. A lot of people these days getting married have thought of “cameras” in terms of what is merely possible with their cell phone, and thus don’t really know or relate to how much more amazing the images that a professional camera can deliver on this all-important date.
Be smart and invest in a profesional and experienced wedding photographer and you won’t have to worry about your wedding day pictures!
As an experienced wedding photographer in Dallas, I’m poised to guide you all the way through to great wedding photos. Take a look at our website and give us a call when you’re ready to plan your special day. Congrats!
