The Demand for Instant Images is Upending Wedding Photography
Couples increasingly want instant images from their wedding photographer so they can update their social media pages immediately after the ceremony.
The Associated Press (AP) spoke to a number of wedding photographers who say couples are opting for less tradition and that means they also want changes in how their hired photographer operates too.
Typically, couples will wait weeks and months for their photos. But Kari Bjorn, who operates Kari Bjorn Photography in Arkansas, senses that what the bride and groom want is to update their Instagram pages with wedding photos on the day of the event.
Bjorn says he has noticed an uptick of “content creator” roles being advertised and he has responded by adding new services like wedding-day GIFs.
“Essentially it’s a contractor whose job it is to shoot and publish phone content for the bride and groom on their wedding day so they don’t have to,” he tells AP. “I feel like people really want to post things instantly as their event is happening.”
More Work for Photographers
A wedding is a big job for a photographer. The number of photos shot easily stretches into the thousands and that means an incredible amount of time spent on the computer tweaking shadows and color balance.
However, the demand for instant imagery is something that Jonica Moore from Brooklyn, New York may require extra help for.
“If you’re a photographer, you don’t really have time to do that,” she tells the AP.
Sarah and Peter Olson, a husband and wife team from Boston, say they are hiring an assistant to help them “specifically grab content we can use for social media and behind-the-scenes type content.” The Olsons have started shooting videos vertically so the clips can easily be posted as Reels on Instagram.
“We try to deliver teasers on social media in 24 to 48 hours,” adds Peter who runs CityLux Studio with Sarah.
A wedding photographer from Baltimore, Naomi Cataldo of Urban Row Photography, says that she hasn’t changed how she works all that much but she now turns around photos in a shorter time period.
Cataldo used to send photos after eight to 10 weeks but now shares previews with the couple within the first week and the full set is delivered within four to six weeks.
Cataldo also tells the AP that she has noticed couples forgoing traditional wedding features like a bouquet toss or cake cutting.
“Couples are asking for more personalized details and non-traditional, unique elements and events for their wedding day or weekend, and a lot less of just doing things for tradition’s sake,” she adds.
Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.
