Wedding photography was “invented” in 1826 in France, and became popular during the late 19th century. Although it didn’t take the elaborate form that it does today, wedding photography swiftly became an important part of recording the evolution of society.
In the late 1800s, most wedding photography was done after the fact. The bride and groom would dress in their best clothes much after the wedding, to record their status as man and wife. Some more affluent families, however, would have photographers come to their wedding to take posed photographs of the bride, groom, and their families.
As technology evolved, and photographic equipment became more mobile, more wedding photographs were taken at the wedding itself, instead of in a photographer’s studio. Photographers then began photographing both guests and wedding gifts, in addition to the bride and groom.
In the early 20th century, freelance photography was a thriving business, and photographers would arrive at weddings, uninvited, and take photos which they hoped to later sell to the married couple. Much like photographers that took photos at amusement parks or in nightclubs, these photographers relied on potential customers to pay for photos they had already taken. This proactive approach to wedding photography soon forced traditional studio photographers out of their studios and into the wedding ceremony itself.
Color photography did not become popular in wedding photography until the 1960s at which time it became easier, cheaper, and more reliable. Wedding photographers thrived during this time as they had cornered the market on quality camera equipment, and inexpensive photographic development. The 1980s brought about the tradition of recording entire weddings on video, and a new breed of wedding photographers, known as videographers, as born.
This century’s wedding photography consists of digital photography and videography, online photograph selection, and the ability to save an entire wedding on CD or DVD for future generations to view.
Here are some links to wonderful wedding photographers in maryland:
www.Kbweddings.com
www.jamesroyphotography.com
www.photosbycmartin.com
Article written by renowned wedding coordinator,
Syvella Brantley of Beginning Two End, Inc.
www.BeginningTwoEnd.com
1-866-798-3552
