The Art of Being a ‘Guest Photographer’: John Dolan’s Perfect Imperfect Approach to Wedding Photography

John Dolan’s Perfect Imperfect Approach to Wedding Photography

IIn our recent class with the legendary New York wedding photographer John Dolan – still available here, by the way – he shared so much invaluable wisdom from his illustrious career. I’ve been revisiting his insights and absorbing the lessons, and I find them incredibly impactful. Whether you’re new to the industry or have decades of experience like me, there’s so much we can learn from John’s expertise.

One of the concepts John speaks about is how he adopts a ‘guest photographer’ mindset. His Perfect Imperfect approach is key to capturing unforgettable wedding moments and lies in blending seamlessly with the guests and embracing the unpredictable beauty of each event. He describes it as being more akin to being a loving presence, an insider, not the ‘professional service provider’.

Let’s explore this transformative concept that he discusses more in-depth in the class and learn how we can also incorporate this approach into our own wedding photography.

“The moments that truly matter are often the ones you didn’t plan for.”

The Concept: Becoming a ‘Guest Photographer’

At its core, John Dolan’s Perfect Imperfect approach revolves around the idea of being a ‘guest photographer’- he often thinks of himself as more like an uncle attending the wedding than a supplier. This means immersing yourself in the wedding as if you were one of the guests, rather than an outsider who is being paid to be there. By doing so, you can capture a wedding from a more intimate and genuine perspective that feels more relevant to the couple.

“Embrace the unpredictability; that’s where the magic happens.”

Techniques to Embrace the ‘Guest Photographer’ Mindset –

1.Build Relationships with the Couple and Guests

Pre-Wedding Meetings: Schedule meetings with the couple before the wedding day. These meetings are not just for discussing the logistics but for understanding their personalities, their story, and what’s important to them.

Engage with Key Guests: Identify the key family members and friends who will play significant roles on the wedding day. Introduce yourself and have brief conversations with them during the pre-wedding events or on the wedding day itself.

Be Present: During the wedding, engage in conversations and show genuine interest in the events and people around you. This approach helps break down the barriers and makes people more comfortable, leading to natural interactions.

2. Act Like a Guest

Blend In: Aim to dress more like a guest at the wedding rather than a supplier. You might want to look into what the dress code will be and dress in line with it. Nobody knows everyone at a wedding so chances are high that people will assume you are a friend with a fancy camera and be more relaxed around you.

John asks to be seated at the ‘weird cousin’s table’. You are not going to get any photos if you are sitting in a completely different room at the wedding when all the interactions are happening over the dinner

3. Move with the Crowd

Be Invisible Yet Present: Adopt a fly-on-the-wall approach. Move quietly and smoothly with the crowd, ensuring that you don’t disrupt the flow of the event.

Dance and Celebrate: If guests are dancing, join them. If they are enjoying a toast, raise your glass. Participate in the activities just as any guest would, capturing the essence of the wedding from within.

Position Strategically: Position yourself in places where you can capture candid photos without drawing attention to yourself. Corners, behind decor elements, or within a group of guests are great spots to shoot from.

“Every wedding has its own rhythm, and you have to find your way to move with it.”

4. Capture Candid

Shoot the In-Between Moments: Some of the best photos come from in-between moments, like a shared glance, a child playing, or a quick embrace. These are the moments that often go unnoticed but are deeply meaningful.

Be Ready at All Times: Keep your camera ready to shoot, with settings adjusted for the lighting conditions of the venue. This allows you to capture spontaneous events as they happen.

Look for Emotions: Focus on capturing genuine emotions – joy, tears, laughter, and love. These moments are what make wedding photography timeless.

Minimal Kit

John Dolan uses both film and digital cameras. He believes in choosing the right tool for the right moment, balancing the nostalgic quality of film with the versatility of digital. The best of both worlds. But he’s not walking around covered in cameras, they’ll be tucked in a bag somewhere while he just walks around with one small camera at a time.

1. Shooting on Film

Be Mindful of Each Shot: With a limited number of exposures, film forces you to be selective and intentional with each shot. This aligns perfectly with the guest photographer mindset, where you aim to capture genuine, significant images.

Slow Down: Film photography inherently requires a slower, more deliberate approach. This encourages you to wait for the perfect opportunity rather than shooting continuously.

Embrace Imperfections: Film can capture the warmth and texture of a moment in a way that digital sometimes can’t. Embrace the grain and the occasional mistake as part of the story.

““Good light means film, bad light means digital.”

Using Digital Wisely

Adapt to Conditions: Digital cameras excel in challenging lighting conditions. When the light is less than ideal, switch to digital to ensure you still capture high-quality images.
Avoid ‘Spray and Pray’: Resist the temptation to shoot continuously and hope for the best. Instead, adopt a disciplined approach, waiting for the right point to press the shutter.

Tips for Incorporating the ‘Guest Photographer’ Mindset

Stay Present and Observant

Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness to stay fully engaged with the present. This means being aware of your surroundings, the interactions between people, and the evolving emotions throughout the day.
Anticipate Moments: With experience, you’ll develop the ability to anticipate key moments before they happen. The more you observe, the better you will become at this.
Balance Lens and Eye Contact: Don’t view everything solely through the lens. Sometimes, observing with your eyes first can help you frame the perfect shot.

“Find the magic in the mundane. It’s the small, quiet moments that often tell the most powerful stories.”

Use Prime Lenses

Simplicity and Focus: John Dolan only owns 50mm and 35mm lenses. These focal lengths allow natural perspectives without the distortion of wider angles or the compression of longer lenses.
Move Your Feet: Without the convenience of a zoom, prime lenses encourage you to physically move closer to your subjects, fostering a more engaging and intimate style.
Quality Over Quantity: Prime lenses often offer superior image quality and faster apertures, which are essential for capturing stunning shots in varying lighting conditions. They are also pretty discreet in terms of size helping you to blend in more.

“Perfection is overrated. Authenticity is what resonates with people.”

3. Focus on Storytelling

Narrative Approach: Approach the wedding as a story you’re telling through your photos. Start with the build-up, capture the climax, and conclude with the winding down. Every wedding has its unique narrative arc.
Details Matter: Pay attention to the small details that contribute to the story, such as the decorations, personal items, and subtle interactions between guests.
Create a Flow: When editing and compiling the wedding album, arrange the photos in a way that creates a natural flow and evokes the emotions of the day.

“Your photos should feel like memories, not just pictures.”

Accept Flaws: Understand that not every photo needs to be technically perfect. Sometimes, a little blur, an unexpected angle, or imperfect lighting can add to the authenticity of the moment.
Experiment Boldly: Don’t be afraid to try new angles, perspectives, and techniques, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.
Post-Processing: When editing, focus on enhancing the mood and emotion of the photo rather than achieving technical perfection. Grain, contrast, and color adjustments can all contribute to a more evocative image.

“Capture the emotion, not just the event. That’s what people will cherish forever.”

Transforming Your Approach

Adopting John Dolan’s Perfect Imperfect approach and embracing the ‘guest photographer’ mindset can transform your wedding photography. By immersing yourself in the event, building genuine connections, and focusing on candid moments, you can capture the true essence of each wedding day. Remember, it’s the authenticity and emotion in your photos that will resonate most with the couple and their loved ones.

So, next time you step into a wedding, how about leaving the role of a traditional photographer behind and becoming a guest with a camera? Embrace the unpredictability and let the magic unfold naturally. As John Dolan says,“There are so many more things going on in the corners of a wedding that should be discovered by photographers.”

To discover more on John Dolan’s approach, get immediate access to our Masterclass with him.

WATCH JOHN’S CLASS