If you've been a photographer for any amount of time, you understand that there are trends in photography that come and go.
Thankfully, some of them go away quickly (selective color, anyone?) while others stick around and become part of the mainstream (like shooting in digital format).
As we catapult into the latter third of 2018, I thought it would be a good time to review some of the hottest wedding photography trends that this year has brought us.
Some of these trends might end up being a flash in the pan, but you might look back on 2018 as the year that your wedding photography changed for the better because of one of these photography trends.
Drone Photography is the Hottest of Wedding Photography Trends
If you'd have asked me ten years ago if I ever imagined a time in which photographers would use drones to photograph a wedding, I would have told you that there's no possible way for that to occur.
I would have been very wrong...
There's no mistaking it - drone photography is here to stay, and it isn't just for shooting photos and videos of landscapes and action sports anymore.
More and more couples are demanding drone photography services at their weddings, and more and more photographers are obliging.
Not only does a drone add yet another perspective from which to experience the big day, but it also allows photographers to get in close to the action without obstructing anyone's view.
Additionally, drones are great video cameras, so it allows wedding photographers to add video services to their offerings in a relatively simple way.
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Teaser Photos are the Next Big Thing
Many couples just can't wait to see the collection of photos that you take on their wedding day, so a lot of photographers have started to oblige requests for teaser photos.
We all know how laborious culling and editing photos can be, and that's especially true of weddings in which you have thousands of photos to go through.
However, we live in a world in which instant gratification is the norm, so giving your clients a small sampling of photos - say, 5-10 images - within 24 hours can lead to even happier clients.
Not only that, but clients often want to share teaser photos with their friends and family, and perhaps even post them on social media, so you get great exposure, too. It's a win-win!
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Big, Beautiful Canvas Prints are Hot Commodities
Wedding photography clients have always wanted big, beautiful prints of their photos to display in their homes.
However, the latest photography trends have shown an interest in large canvas prints.
It makes sense, too...
Canvas is a timeless substrate that has a classic look. What's more, it's a durable surface that will last for generations.
Perhaps even better for wedding photographers, there are plenty of canvas printing companies that knock out incredible products, do so quickly, and without costing a ton of money.
That means that you can both deliver the final product in short order while also being able to minimize your overhead and marking up canvas prints to add to your bottom line.
Of course, not all canvas is made equally, so do your due diligence when selecting a printer.
For my money, no one beats CanvasHQ for large-format canvas prints.
I've purchased dozens of prints from these guys over the years, and I'm continually impressed with the speed with which the prints are delivered, the color and contrast that they're able to achieve, and the sheer quality of construction.
You don't want to mess around when it comes to providing your clients with prints, photo albums, and other items to commemorate one of the biggest days of their lives.
So, before you give your clients package details and pricing, be sure to check out CanvasHQ to see how they can help you deliver the best-quality prints possible.
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Wedding Photography Trends for 2018: Use Mirrorless Cameras
Unsurprisingly, there is a mirrorless camera wave happening in wedding photography.
With the quality of mirrorless rigs available today with features like high-resolution sensors, 4K video capabilities, and an increasing array of lenses, mirrorless cameras are every bit as capable as DSLRs for photographing weddings.
And mirrorless cameras have another distinct advantage over DSLRs - their small form factor and lightweight construction make them the perfect tool for wedding photography.
I know if I shot a lot of weddings, I'd opt for my Sony a6300 over my Nikon D850 any day, even though the D850, in my opinion, is a superior camera.
It's just so much easier to maneuver around with a smaller mirrorless camera, particularly during the reception when people are milling about, dancing, and so forth.
Besides, the less that people notice you and your camera, the more likely you are to get high-quality candid shots, and those are the type of photos that people will love the most when they look back on their wedding day.
So, there you have it - a few critical trends in photography to keep in mind as we rapidly head towards 2019.