About the Author: Chris Lin is a partner with Lin and Jirsa Photography, a Los Angeles Wedding Photography Studio, a Senior Editor with SLR Lounge, Photography Tutorials; and Marketing Manager with UNDFIND Photography Bags.

Lin and Jirsa on Facebook

For the Sunday showcase, we wanted to run through a few pictures from a typical wedding to give you some insight to our style and approach to wedding photography.

Balancing Photojournalism and Posed Photography

Some wedding photographers remain true to the ideals of photojournalism, staying behind the scenes for most, if not the entire day. Others are much more in-your-face, controlling all aspects of the day, setting up their scenes, and posing their subjects at every possible moment. We endeavor to find a balance between the two, making adjustments to a scene when required, but staying aware and in-position to capture the natural emotion of the day. If we need to recreate a scene to tell the complete story of wedding day, we will. If we need a bride to smile as she gets ready, we’ll ask. But overall, we’re looking, or perhaps hoping is a better word, to capture the natural emotion and flow of the day.

Creative Shots vs. Standard Shots

We try to also find a balance between creative shots and what-might-be-considered standard shots. Photographers are commended, and often hired, for their creativity. Let’s face it, we probably won’t win any awards for a standard portrait of a bride. However, we’ve learned that most clients want a healthy balance between standard and creative. When I say “standard,” I’m talking primarily about the look into the camera and smile portraits with great lighting, clean backgrounds, and great expressions. That in itself can make an amazing picture even if it’s not the most creative. Our approach is to capture the “standard” shot first and then move into the creative shots of a scene.

Equipment Used on the Shoot

Camera Bodies:
Canon 5D Mark II

Lenses:
Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L
Canon 50mm F/1.4
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II
Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 L USM II Wide Angle
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro

Lighting:
Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras
PocketWizard PWP-TR 801-125 PLUS II Transceiver (Black)
Dynalite RK5-1100 Kit, with 1-RP500 Power Pack, 1-MH2015 Fan Cooled Head / Storage Case
Quantum Turbo C Compact Battery Power Pack.
Brinkmann Maxfire Dual Xenon Spotlight

 

For more images from this wedding, be sure to check out their wedding slideshow