"Authenticity Downturn in Wedding Photography Now Prevails as Generation Z Approaches Marriage Age, Claims Professional"

In the ever-evolving world of wedding photography, a shift is underway, with Gen Z couples leading the charge. According to professional photographer John Branch, who has been capturing moments for millennial couples for the past 11 years and boasts a following of 264,000 on YouTube, these changes are significant.

Branch finds traditions such as the bouquet toss, garter toss, and cake-cutting particularly cringe-worthy and predicts they may become less common. Instead, he suggests a return to old formats like film, vinyl, VHS cassette tapes, Super 8, camcorders, and point-and-shoot cameras. Mastering and offering these old formats, he asserts, should be easy for millennials.

Branch also advocates for a focus on sustainable, personalized, and intimate wedding trends that resonate with Gen Z. Photographers, he advises, should embrace eco-friendly bridal fashion, social media integration, and micro-weddings with a strong visual and narrative style authentic to Gen Z values. The quicker a photographer can get photos back to Gen Z couples, the better, he adds.

Meanwhile, Ariane Sherine, a photographer, journalist, and singer-songwriter (known as Ariane X), also anticipates changes in the industry. With comedy writing credits for the BBC and a novel, Shitcom under her belt, Sherine also operates Ariane Sherine Photography. She agrees with Branch that Gen Z prefers candid photos over posed ones, favouring something more real and less digital.

Another trend Sherine predicts is a decrease in the environmental impact of weddings, leading to fewer weddings with sparklers. Additionally, she expects parents to be less involved in Gen Z weddings, as they are not typically footing the bill.

In the realm of Gen Z weddings, Branch predicts a rise in elopement weddings and smaller, less traditional weddings. He also anticipates more 'dry weddings' (alcohol-free weddings). John Branch prints photos off on the day from an Instax Mini printer, adding a tangible, nostalgic touch to his work.

As the wedding industry adapts to the preferences and values of Gen Z, it seems that the days of grand, traditional weddings may be numbered. Instead, we might see a rise in intimate, personal, and sustainable celebrations that truly reflect the couples tying the knot.

"Authenticity Downturn in Wedding Photography Now Prevails as Generation Z Approaches Marriage Age, Claims Professional"