As I try to define my photography style, I often think about art and commercial photography and how to merge the two when I am shooting an assignment.  

For example, at a wedding, I tend to "tighten up" my shooting because I want to make sure I get those sharp, clear, posed portraits that parents love, but I find it hard to loosen up enough to get those artsy shots when I'm in this mindframe.

How do you guys strike a balance?  Is there such thing as a balance, or do you just go with your style, whatever that is?

Try taking 1 or 2 more shots after each scenario that you took the "tight" shot. In these shots be more creative (prop, different pose, angle, foreground, background, etc.) and at the end of the day you will have a handful more "creative" shots than if you didn't take the time to include them earlier. Eventually, you will come up with a balance you are happy with.

Thanks, I will definitely try that at my next gig. It's funny, when I did strictly art photography, I had a difficult time thinking in a commercial manner, and now it's the opposite