Yes, flash is back.
We are talking about run and gun, editorial, high fashion direct flash.
‍We spoke about this rather virally and controversially on this Instagram reel here…

Shat’s the deal?
Well, the crux of the trend and technique is this: the use of a speedlight flash as your primary source of light. Either directly on top of the camera, or handheld with the use of trigger, and fired directly at your subject.
‍Are we the new paparazzi?
Some are shooting at high apertures and killing all available light, while others are find a balance between available light and the flash to keep the background.Also take notes: we are talking about flash being used throughout the different part of the day, not just the reception. Details, direct flash. Bride getting ready, direct flash. You get the picture.

Where did this come from?
It’s partly a mix of two big photography trends, film photography and high fashion photography. More fully, it’s a time machine back to a 90s style of photography. Where in response to a stylised and super produced style in the 80s, (sounding familiar?) 90s photographers started using direct flash to shoot more quick, behind the scenes, in the moment and un-staged images. Often using small point and shoot cameras, with flash built in.

You may have noticed this trend in celebrity and fashion scenes with photography and now it’s directly influencing wedding photography. The culmination of a time where we strive to show ourselves as more authentic and intimate, juxtaposed with that yearning for celebrity and stardom. All sprinkled with that yearning for low-tech days, in the middle of our high-tech times.

So what’s good about it?

• Easy to achieve amazing skin tone and rich colours.
• You can shoot in any direction. When shooting natural light only, you are bound by the light you are given. Think of a small hotel room where you only have a tiny corner of great light.
• Quick and nimble. You can focus on your framing and how your couple looks because you know what your light will look like.
• You stand out - not everyone is up to speed on this yet.
• Most of all, we love the consistency. Controlling the light with flash means you can make the best out of any light.

Trend Cycles
‍The move toward this kind of flash photography is interesting as it again showcases the cyclical nature of trends. Things come and go. Right now, it’s HOT. And it’s safe to say it will stick around a lot longer.
You’re early.
But inevitably, eventually, new lighting trends will prevail and this will feel done. So it’s up to you to figure out if this is something you want to jump into and incorporate into your work.

‍At the very least it’s great to be able to level up your use of flash - a historical weakness for many wedding photographers.