The Ninja Wedding Photographer

I know that there are a couple of photographers who include the word "Ninja" in heir studio names, and I am not commenting on their work or style: but in an article I wrote in 2008 for Qondio.com I used the term to describe an approach to taking pictures at a wedding, and I thought I'd like to explore it a bit more here (you can read the article at http://www.qondio.com/photographing-a-wedding).


In effect, I was advising aspiring photographers to become the Ninja Photographer - to be present but unseen. That is a skill to be cultivated. It requires timing to be in the right position for key moments without calling attention to yourself. Why is this important? Because it helps you avoid disrupting the flow of the wedding. 


Some Wedding photographers seem to believe they are there to manage the day, to direct it like a movie - dare I say Video cameramen are even more prone to this form of egocentric attitude? Certainly the photographs are hugely important, but it is not our day! It belongs to the Bride and the Groom. 


Respecting the bride and groom's ownership of the day is easier if you know  a great deal about weddings in general and about this wedding in particular. Meaningful consultation with the minister or celebrant, the planner and, especially, the couple, allows you to be invisible  when you should be. 


Invisibility is partly about timing your movement around the ceremony to coincide with the movements of the congregation (standing, sitting), songs (yes, you should have had a chat with the organist!), sermons or longer readings. 


Some of it is about selecting the right equipment - lenses that are fast enough to provide noise-free images without flash, and long enough to capture that first kiss without imposing yourself between the guests and the wedding party (or worse, between the celebrant and the couple). 


But a lot of it is a question of the routes you have planned around the venue and not leaving your shooting position to chance - suddenly realising that you need to be there rather thah here to get the right angle and rushing to get into position is often worse than giving up on the shot. The way you move is also an issue. 


There are times when it will be your responsibility to manage the bridal party, the guests, the props - to actively direct your subjects; then it is not just appropriate to be visible: it is essential! But for many of the key moments, one of the greatest compliments you can receive is the delight on the faces of the newlyweds, their family and friends will realise, from your beautiful, intimate images, that you were actually there!