When I look back at how wedding photography began, I can’t help but imagine those first brides and grooms holding still for long seconds, waiting for an image to appear on glass or tin. The history of this craft fascinates me — from fragile plates and fading colors to the timeless black and white frames of the mid-20th century.
Living and working as a wedding photographer on Phu Quoc Island today, I see how far we’ve come: from heavy equipment and staged salon poses to natural, living albums that tell a couple’s story. In this article, I want to share not only how wedding photography has changed through decades, but also why its essence — capturing love with honesty and artistry — remains the same.
The origins of wedding photography date back to the mid-1940s.
At that time, photography, as a special form of fine art, was almost exclusively commercially oriented. Nevertheless, the idea of creating unforgettable images of a wedding day existed, and it developed very rapidly.
In the 1800s, photographic paper did not exist, and photo albums had not yet been invented. To obtain a single photograph in the form of a copper, tin, or glass plate, one had to faint in front of the camera for up to several dozen seconds. Due to the poor quality of the equipment and techniques, wedding photography was only possible in salons or studios for more than a century.
At the beginning of the 20th century, a technical breakthrough occurred in the production of color photographs. Unfortunately, colors faded and changed very quickly. Therefore, professional photographers continued to work with black and white material. Further technological developments in the field of photo production led to the emergence of new types of film and methods of processing them. In any case, the method of wedding photography remained unchanged until almost the end of World War II.
Due to the high costs and limited film size, it was almost unrealistic to capture the entire wedding day. For artistic wedding photos, the bride and groom posed after the ceremony. This so-called traditional style of wedding photography, featuring original poses taken in salons or outdoors in good lighting, was used for over a century. It remained an essential style in wedding photography practically until 1970.
Digital camera owners now have the opportunity to capture rare, high-quality wedding photographs without much skill or effort. They are joining the ranks of professional photographers, and the wedding photography business, which promises a high income, is an indispensable source of income.
Be that as it may, it must be remembered that the ultimate goal for a professional photographer is to create a high-quality, "living" wedding album. Therefore, when you hire a wedding photographer, you should keep in mind that you are not paying for a bunch of pictures, but for photographic skills, for experience, for the photographer's artistic look and style and - for now - for expensive professional photography equipment.
Wedding photography has traveled a long road — from fragile glass plates to timeless digital storytelling. Yet one thing has never changed: the desire to preserve love in images that feel alive. Every wedding is a universe of its own, filled with details, gestures, and emotions that deserve to be remembered not just for years, but for generations.
If you are planning your celebration on Phu Quoc Island, I would be honored to capture your story.
Let’s create photographs that will not only document your day, but will become living memories — full of beauty, emotion, and meaning.
Whether it’s your anniversary or just because — let’s capture you two together.
📌 Book your wedding photography on Phu Quoc today and let’s turn fleeting moments into timeless images.
✉️ Email:
morefoto@gmail.com
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+84 33 894 782