Even though the goal is to commemorate your special day, there is a stark difference between wedding photography sessions and elopement photography sessions. Now, whether you are a photographer or a young couple, understanding these differences is crucial to capture the essence and uniqueness of each event. In this article, I will lay out three differences that will help get the idea across.
1. Scale and Scope
I think it’s relatively apparent that the first big difference between a wedding and an elopement is the scale and scope of the entire thing. For example, a wedding has a far larger scale, with numerous guests, locations, and events taking place throughout the day. Whereas elopement is quite different in size and scale. There can be numerous locations, potentially even a long-distance trip to get married, with only the couple and perhaps a few family members or close friends present. By recognizing the differences in scale, as a photographer, it is my job to identify the proper times to capture intimate moments.
2. Time Constraints
Another element that is different between a wedding and an elopement is time constraints. In a wedding, there is typically a timeline of events that plays throughout. The rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and receptions are the major events, but there are numerous smaller events that take place during those larger events. A few examples would include the exchanging of vows, the pronouncement, and the kiss. Conversely, elopements usually offer a much more flexible timeline, with a fewer variables to consider. As a photographer, this means being adaptable and ready to capture unexpected moments. It also means being able to work with natural light and make the most of the available surroundings.
3. Emphasis on Storytelling
Finally, there is a difference in the art of visual storytelling that takes place. In wedding photography, it is my job to capture the events that occur throughout the day, from getting ready at the venue to the reception at the end, telling a comprehensive and compelling story. Wedding photography tries to look at the emotions, interactions, and details that make each wedding unique. However, elopement photography emphasizes the essence of the couple’s unique love story, although a much more condensed view. Elopement photographers are more likely to carefully curate a series of images, while a wedding photographer will present a full folder of the day’s events.
At the end of the day, what is most important to myself - and I imagine other photographers in my field – is that I present myself and my abilities in a way that captures my client’s love and affection for each other. Understanding the scale and scope of each event, the allotted time that I am given, and the job of telling a story that reflects your special day, all fall under my responsibility to make my part of your day as seamless as possible. Whether it's the grandeur of a wedding or the intimacy of an elopement, both types of photography offer their own set of challenges and rewards.
Warmest regards,
Logan Clark