I really like the look of the black and white Film Noir Portraiture and Hollywood Glamour Photography that came out during the 30′s, 40′s and 50′s. The high contrast of light and shadows convey such emotion. Photographers like George Hurrell, who was the master, in my opinion, were so incredibly talented and adept at painting and shaping with light. Today Jim Ferreira continues to shoot in this style for portraits and promotions.
The photojournalistic style that is pervasive in wedding photography today is cool and now but classic portraiture will never die. I attended one of the last seminars by the legend Monte Zucker and he said something that stuck with me. He said, “Everyone is taking pictures of the bride’s shoes, dress and the wedding party jumping in the air, what is that?. No one is taking classic portraits anymore.” He told this room full of photographers, “Bridal portraits are what you should be doing. It will set your businesses apart BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE IS DOING THEM!”
Jim Ferreira is good but is not the only person doing this style. He may be known to the mainstream because the mainstream doesn’t look a little deeper. There are a few others who do this style and yes Monte was right, bridal portraiture is needed and overlooked these days it seems.