The most basic goal in wedding photography has always been quite simple: To make a portrait of the newlyweds. Over time, as photographic services have become more accessible, wedding photography expanded to include pictures of the wedding party and the families of the bride and groom. Gradually, wedding portraiture has evolved to the point where creative shots showing the bride's gown, the wedding party, and the newlywed's rings are typically included with romantic portraits of the bridal couple.

The evolution in wedding photography continues with a new trend: photojournalistic photography. Taking the journalistic approach means creating a visual record of the wedding day as it happens, instead of posting significant participants around the couple and making sure everything is perfectly in place. The photographer accompanies the couple throughout the wedding day, often starting with preparations for the ceremony and often staying throughout the reception (as does a traditional photographer) The aim is to produce artful photographs which realistically portray their subjects. People are in motion - dancing, talking, laughing - accurately reflecting the ongoing activity and the excitement of the wedding day.

The attraction to the photojournalistic style is that the photographer acknowledges the little things that make up a beautiful moment, and pays attention to find them - a child playing with the ribbons on the bride's bouquet, dad giving an old friend a tight-squeezed hug, or the bride putting the finishing touches on her attire - memorable elements that fill the wedding celebration.

When well done, these candid photos capture on film the natural sentiments and personalities of their subjects, as people are not posed for the shot. The photographer may use telephotographic lenses so as to be as unobtrusive as possible, allowing subjects freedom to just be themselves.

In spite of its newfound popularity, photojournalistic wedding photography is certainly not replacing its more traditional counterpart. Creating an artistic photo from an ordinary moment involves split-second timing, experience and skill at this style of photography, together with a highly - tuned sense of intuition on the part of the photographer. It's simply a more risky enterprise to hope that the moments will happen and the photographer will observe and record them. Taking traditional portraits insures that you will end up with a visual record of sets of people (the wedding party, your families, etc.), grouped together the way you want. It's also more comfortable for those who want to have a moment to compose themselves before having their photo taken.

Couples who study the two styles often wish to have some elements of both portrait and photojournalistic photography incorporated into their own# wedding photographs. Considering that most couples will not opt to hire two photographers to record their wedding day, a well-rounded photographer who may lean more toward one style than the other is a good choice. Talented photojournalistic photographers know the value of traditional wedding portraiture and can excel at making beautiful portraits, as well as capturing candid moments. Accomplished portrait photographers produce classic portraiture, but can also set up scenarios which help create more spontaneous shots, ensuring a variety of photographs which include the lighthearted moments of the day.

Talk with the photographers you interview to get their ideas about the trends in wedding photography. The key to successfully finding the right photographer is, of course, looking at a lot of photographers portfolios, and seeing a good sampling of an individual photographer's work before you engage him or her as your wedding photographer.