I often see wedding photographers' websites in which ALL of the photos have this certain "look". Page after page on their site and everything is either drab, grey and moody, or washed out and pastelly, or some other preset "style". Maybe this is a brilliant business decision as it gives potential clients a very clear idea what they are buying before they commit. I'm not a big fan of this, though. Perhaps the reason is that I see the role of the photographer as an observer and recorder. Things don't always look a certain way. Yes, we will put our own "spin" on the event, but I hope to primarily record (and possibly amplify) what is already there rather than impose my washed-out-green, murky grey, or blown-out presuppositions on the activities.
I just did an engagement shoot last week. In an effort to give the clients a variety of things to publish for their upcoming wedding, I edited in a couple of different ways. I'm trying NOT to blowout highlights, but I also hope to have a certain "pop" about them, and to convey the joyfulness of the occasion--but without straying into sappy and drippy. I'm really not sure how successful I am at walking this tightrope.
Do you think I'm wrong? Do you guys tend to go for one particular editorial style? If so, is it because that's how you see the world, or was it a business decision? Not trying to cast aspersions on business decisions, just trying to parse out how others go about this.
Naturally, constructive critique of the images is welcome.
I totally see your point. Although I think these color palettes you mention tend to be dominant within wedding requests.
We all have our own style, I personally shoot more like yours, airy and natural without blowing highlights, but, in this business (or any other business) you kinda need to shape and mold towards the new trends and in this case is the moody tones. But again it all comes down to the client's request.