By Paige Engelhardt
When it comes to the finest way to illustrate an expression of eternal love, Mother Nature knows best.
Professional photographers in Utah County are abandoning traditional indoor studio portraiture to engross themselves in the rising generation''s high demand for outdoor wedding photography.
'I used to do a lot of things in the studio, but most of my customers these days like to do outdoor stuff - about 99%,' said Chuck Senn, owner of Chuck Senn Photography based in Springville. 'I sold my building, so now I just have a small studio in my home.'
It seems that the rising generation is clearing its own path in the way wedding photography is done. It is predominantly older couples who now opt for studio wedding portraiture, Senn said. Their styles are more closely related to how their parents and previous generations captured wedding moments.
Some students feel the changes in cultural norms that occur between different eras account for this progression towards outdoor wedding photography.
'Everything has changed from when it was studio - like the type of dresses - just the style has changed of the whole wedding,' said Kim Hales, a senior from Midland, Texas majoring in neuroscience. 'I think it''s all shifting into this more ... modern . I think the outside goes along with everything else that''s changing.'
Some local photographers find a good deal of success without owning or operating a studio. Outdoor wedding photography has a large enough audience to secure a solid business.
'I never shoot inside,' said Jami Broadbent, owner of Jami Broadbent Photography based in Payson. 'Nobody wants that.'
The success of outdoor wedding photography has taken off in recent years. Professionals in the business notice the changes.
'When I started, everything was just traditional portraiture and controlled in the studio,' Senn said. 'Things just kind of evolved.'
Senn now only spends about 2% of his time in the studio - most of which is unrelated to wedding photography.
Other local photographers, who operate their businesses without a studio, have had to give up business opportunities due to a lack of studio equipment.
'I''ve passed up jobs because I don''t shoot indoors,' said Scott Smith, owner of Scott Smith Photography based in Orem. 'There are people looking for studio work.'
Fortunately, most professional photographers welcome this new age in wedding photography.
'I like the freedom of the outdoors,' Senn said. 'You know, in the studio you have your camera set, and it''s pretty much in one place ... you can take a bride to the same spot everyday, and it''s always going to be different. I think that just kind of makes it unique.'
The personality of many couples in the rising generation may be reflected better in natural settings versus staged studio set-ups.
'I just think studio shots are stuffy, and it doesn''t really show who they are,' Broadbent said.
'It definitely shows their personality more,' Hales said.