Relationships,love,friendship

Photographers working for Life magazine in the early years"when the photo essay was a developing art form worked to capture a variety of pictures that would tell the story of the event they were covering. Those photographs fit together to give narrative structure and variety to their story. Marriage photojournalists today use the same system to tell the story about a marriage

Included in the shot list of the Life photographers were: 1) an introductory shot to set the scene; 2) a portrait to provide characterization; 3) an interaction shot to create drama; 4) a signature shot to capture the essence of the tale (this would regularly serve as the opening or cover image); 5) a detail shot to spotlight a story-telling component that would instead remain unspotted; 6) and a clincher to bring the tale to a close.

For photographers who commenced their careers working as photojournalists, this method of story-telling with a camera is ingrained in the DNA. When true photojournalists photograph a wedding, we are continually thinking of how we can supply the narrative structure for a story about the particular event we are covering.

Each wedding is different. The tale that develops from each wedding is different. The goal of a wedding photojournalist is to capture photographs that reflect that uniqueness.

A wedding album designed from photographs taken making use of the Life Photo Story formula will contain photographs that are varied in content, visual structure and mood. Lifestyle portraits of the bride and bridegroom capturing their personalities will provide characterization. Wide shots of the church and/or reception locale will provide context and set the scene. Story-telling detail shots of flowers, ornamental items, rings and body language will highlight elements that could have one unobserved. Interaction shots of bride and bridegroom and the couple with their family and friends enjoying each other's company document bonds between friends and family. Images of the bride and groom leaving to fireworks, rose petals or friends blowing bubbles will bring the photo story to a close.

Dr. Cindy Brown, former news photographer, photo editor and professor of photojournalism, practices the fine art of storytelling as an Atlanta weddng photographer. She is an international prize-winning wedding photojournalist.