I absolutely love vintage photography like Polaroids and Lomographs (I’m not talking Instagram) and love when they are used at weddings. Although brides tend to save them for photobooths or guestbooks, sometimes you might get lucky and get a photographer that believes in the gorgeous depth of film photography or even Polaroids, a once-common, now-obscure photo art. (A Vegas based photographer who likes to use Polaroids is Gaby J)
So what’s the link to weddings? Lomography is gaining in popularity with those willing to get a bit adventurous with their wedding photos, and I think this really works with most Vegas couples. If you are not into tight, posed wedding portraits and favor more spontaneous photo style, you may want to look into Polaroids or Lomography. Lomography is named for the classic LC-A camera which was a cheap camera born in the 80s and includes “toy” cameras like the Diana and Holga. I myself have an action sampler – a plastic cased camera with no viewfinder that takes four photos within seconds of eachother.
The hallmarks to Lomographs are vignetting – darkened edges, bright colors, light leaks and unusual bright and dark patterns, spontaneous moments. It’s a kind of alternative photographic method. It’s a very fun, artistic way to capture your wedding day.
Photos from my wedding, showing Polaroids and the photo table we had set up
Fun ways to incorporate this trend would be to have a toy camera in a photo booth, ask your wedding photographer to use one, or have a friend take shots during the evening. I stocked up on film and left my Polaroid hanging around – people had great fun with it and some of my favorite wedding photos my Polaroids. Sometimes toy cameras do not work that well in dark photos, as is often the case with receptions, but buy a flash or use a Holga at your Neon Boneyard shoot and be stunned by the results.
Drawbacks: They are NOT for perfectionists – light leaks, blurry shots and darkness can alter photos dramatically. But these styles of photography can make a great addition to more traditional wedding photos. Also, it can be an expensive endeavor. You can still buy Polaroid film online through the Impossible project, but it’s pricey. If you go the Lomo route, you have to buy regular film, get it developed and buy the cameras.
You would be well served to use these 10 rules of lomography as you shoot, with a lomo or not, at your wedding or any day!
1. Take your camera with you everywhere!
2. Use it any time of day
3. Lomography is not an interference in your life – but part of it
4. “Shoot from the hip” (try experimental, new perspectives)
5. Get close!
6. Don’t think (by extension: don’t pose)
7. Be fast
8. You don’t have to know beforehand what you captured on film…
9. … or afterwards either
10. Don’t follow the rules (even these!)
[photos from lomography.com: clockwise from top left 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]