Dutch Tilt Added To The Newest “Must Not Try List” From The WPWI
The governing body of the WPWI
Las Vegas, NV - The Wedding Photographers Worldwide Institute has just released their latest “Strongly Suggested” and “Must Not Try” list for 2026, surprising adding the “Dutch Tilt” on their “MNTL”.
For the uninitiated, the WPWI is a global institute made up of thousands of professional wedding photographers. Founded by Oriel Winerburg on August 5, 2004, the Wedding Photographers Worldwide Institute has been the organization that provides professional wedding photographers the necessary tools, subsets, and even guidelines to help them perform their craft effectively and efficiently.
Every year, the Institute convenes in Las Vegas, Nevada, for an annual “Standards and Operational Directives”conference where working professionals provide their insights and compile a list of what’s “strongly suggested” and those things that must not be tried or attempted (as it degrades the profession because of the lack of quality in images produced).
This year is no different. After their convention held this year at the Mirage, the governing body of WPWI has shared its lists with its illustrious body of professional photographers.
Some of the members of the WPWI
The list is an insider's most treasured possession and is only available to members. The Tog Times was honored enough to receive a copy, and though we may lose our privileges for sharing it, our editor-in-chief made the decision that it is worth sharing with our readers. So, without further ado, here is this year’s SOAD.
Official Publication: 2026 Technical Standards & Operational Directives
Location: Las Vegas, NV | Bulletin No: 2026-04-21
I. DIRECTIVE: 2026 APPROVED COMPOSITIONS (STRONGLY SUGGESTED)
The following techniques have been vetted by the Board of Governors for professional-grade delivery. Deviation from these standards may result in a formal review of accreditation status.
• Vertical/Horizontal Alignment: All architectural and environmental lines must remain strictly perpendicular or parallel to the sensor frame.
• Depth of Field Management: Subject isolation must be achieved through optical aperture control rather than post-production software.
• Full Spectrum Exposure: Detail must be preserved in both highlights (Zone IX) and shadows (Zone I). Blown-out sky data is considered a technical failure.
• Color Accuracy: White balance must be calibrated to the specific Kelvin temperature of the light source. Standardized skin tones are mandatory.
• Background Sanitation: Removal of distracting elements (e.g., exit signs, utility poles) through physical positioning or lens focal length selection.
II. DIRECTIVE: 2026 PROHIBITED TECHNIQUES (MNTL - MUST NOT TRY LIST)
Effective immediately, the following practices are classified as non-compliant and are strictly prohibited for WPWI-certified output.
• Chrominance Distortion (Orange Saturation):
Whereas the colors presented in nature should reflect those captured by the professional photographer, we, the governance, advice that …
The dissemination of photos with orange and teal hues, specifically resulting in unnatural skin tones (e.g., "Oompa Loompa" effect) be stricken from being tried.
• Digital Over-Exposure (Bright & Airy):
Whereas proper exposure, even and consistent with what is seen by the eyes, and can be captured by the sensors of professional cameras, we, the governance, advice that …
Intentional clipping of highlight data to achieve a low-contrast, "dreamy" aesthetic producing blown out, nonrecoverable skies, be stricken from being tried.
• Insufficient Shadow Detail (Dark & Moody): \
Whereas proper exposure, even and consistent with what is seen by the eyes, and can be captured by the sensors of professional cameras, we, the governance, advice that…
Purposeful crushing of blacks that results in a loss of texture in faces, features, clothing or hair producing muddy, unrecognizable mess, be stricken from being tried.
• Floral Flatlays on Textiles:
Whereas decency and immediacy, modern photography standards and practices have moved on from such compositions, we, the governance, advice that…
The placement of floral arrangements directly onto the bridal gown or lace for the purpose of detail shots MUST be stricken from being tried, with fears that the early 2000s aesthetics may make a comeback that we, as an officiating body for professionals, do not want to see.
• Manual Heart Gestures:
Whereas it is cute for middle school girls and the occasional college drunks, the professional is neither of them; we, the governance, advice that…
Any instruction for subjects to form heart shapes using fingers or hands, be stricken from being tried.
• "Content Creator" De-focus (Trash Bokeh):
Whereas fun and excitement is part of the professional’s attire, our values of focus, sharpness, and intentional identification of our primary subjects is foremost; we, the governance, advice that…
The intentional blurring or "out of focus" capture of main subjects, popularized by social media "content creators" as a stylistic choice be stricken from being tried. All intended subjects in the frame must be sharp or follow traditional Gaussian blur laws.
• The Dutch Tilt:
Finally, whereas intentionality and uprightness is the mark of the professional, and anything leaning induces a perception of falling, we, the governance, advice that…
Any persons captured at an angle between 1° and 89° relative to the horizon be stricken from being tried. We are in 2026, people.
III. COMPLIANCE NOTICE
The WPWI maintains that photography is a technical discipline. The 2026 MNTL is a binding document for all members in the Las Vegas jurisdiction and beyond. Failure to adhere to the aforementioned "Must Not Try" list will result in the immediate forfeiture of the WPWWI Seal of Excellence.
By Order of the Secretariat
WPWI Headquarters, Las Vegas, NV
