PHOTOGRAPHY HAS ITS OWN distinct language, so in order to get the most out of your pictures it's best to familiarise yourself with the technical terms

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Styles

There will be styles you like better than others, and even some you haven't considered. Here we explain what it all means, but remember that the most important thing is that you like the photographer's work, so don't worry too much if you can't get your head round the jargon.

PORTRAIT: Wedding portraiture is often a thoughtful shot that conveys the meaning of the day or moment - it isn't necessarily formal. Weddings are of course great celebrations, so portraits of the entire family are often taken.

ROMANTIC: Romantic shots will capture a couple within a particular mood or setting. Sometimes special effects are used, such as soft focus and sepia tints, to add to the romantic look. The main idea is to convey the emotions that the couple feel for each other.

REPORTAGE: Literally a reporting style of photography, often taken in black and white. Good reportage shots should be able to stand alone in the album but also have the ability to provide a narrative of the day. By their very nature, reportage shots are unobtrusive because the photographer is quickly, yet skillfully, capturing the day as it unfolds.

CANDID: This may seem like a reportage/photojournalist style, but actually may have been set up, albeit casually. The effect looks natural, but the people being photographed are aware of it and may have been given some direction.

CONTEMPORARY/AVANT GARDE: Avant garde shots are theatrical, playing with angles, unusual locations or perspective, and have a very modern feel. These are often very good as a single page shot in an album, or as a picture that puts a pictorial full stop on the day.