When it comes to weddings, you won’t be short on decisions to make! From choosing your wedding planner and finalizing the guest list to finding the perfect outfit and deciding on the décor, it’s understandable if your to-do list might feel a little never-ending. But, among all those exciting decisions, there’s one that’s easy to underestimate: selecting your wedding photographer. This pivotal decision is about finding someone who can capture the joy, the happy tears, the quiet moments, and all those little details you want to remember for years to come. Every wedding photography style will tell a unique story. And every couple deserves a personalized experience!
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’re here to help! This article will give you an insight into the different wedding photography styles and provide some useful tips on finding a photographer who’ll capture the day just the way you imagined it.
The Shooting Styles
Now, you might be asking yourself, “How do I find my wedding photography style?” It’s a fair question, so let’s start there. Put simply, wedding photography styles are how you can capture your big day. Understanding the different options available will make choosing your photographer or wedding content creator a whole lot easier.
You might also be wondering, “Why are wedding photography styles important?” To that, we say: another great question! Unless you already have your heart set on a particular photographer, the first step on your journey is figuring out exactly what wedding photography ideas speak to you and your wedding aesthetic. It’s just like taking a picture: once you know the look and feel you’re after, everything else will just click!
Documentary Style Wedding Photography
If your dream wedding album is filled with authentic moments and spontaneous surprises, then the documentary photography style could be a wonderful fit. Also known as photojournalistic photography, this approach focuses on capturing the day as it unfolds, with very little interruption or direction from your photographer! It’s perfect for couples who want to stay present on their big day, prefer candid pictures over posed portraits, and love the idea of reliving the celebrations exactly as they happened. Allowing you to focus on each other, not the camera!
Editorial Style Wedding Photography
Have you ever looked through those luxury fashion magazines and imagined yourself in those effortless poses on your wedding day? Well then, editorial photography can help bring that vision to life! Inspired by high fashion trends and fine art imagery, it’s a mix of carefully composed presentations, beautiful lighting, and artistic direction from your photographer. While this style will often require dedicated time to be carved out of your day specifically for photographs, its contemporary finish and stylish statement results make it perfect for couples who want their wedding album to feel every bit as glamorous as the occasion itself!
Traditional Wedding Photography
Some moments ought to be captured the way they’ve been treasured for generations. Traditional (or classic) photography focuses on the key milestones of the day! From walking down the aisle to the first dance, it takes a semi-structured approach. This ensures well-organized group shots, while also making sure no meaningful moments are missed. It’s a popular choice for couples who love a finished gallery, filled with images you can both look back on for years to come.
Combination Wedding Photography
Many modern photographers combine different styles to create an album that feels personal and unique to your love story! Lifestyle photography is almost like a mixture of documentary-style and editorial-style! It’s all about that candid wedding photography, but with a little structure. Mixed together, it’s the best balance of authenticity and artistry.
The Editing Styles
Think of the editing styles as the finishing touch that brings your wedding photos to life. It’s what shapes the mood, colors, and overall feel of your wedding gallery! While your shooting style captures the moments, the photographer’s editing style will then give them their signature look. These small details will help create the bigger picture!
The two options work hand in hand to create your gorgeously cohesive gallery! So, it’s worthwhile spending some time considering the editing too. Let’s take a closer look at the most popular editing styles!
Bright and Airy
This style utilizes natural light for those glowing highlights, lifts shadows for a softer contrast, and gives your images a fresh, delicate finish! The palette tends to lean toward soft wedding neutrals and gentle pastels, with creamy whites, blush pinks, warm ivories, and subtle beige tones. It’s a lovely choice for couples who love a classic, love-filled aesthetic; everything feels calm, light, and magical.
Dark and Moody
For those drawn to the dramatic, this editing technique brings depth, emotion, and atmospheric details that feel intimate. Embracing the shadows with rich colors, this style will capture those candlelit-stolen moments after sunset. Through the use of deep burgundys, dark forest greens, and lush plums, you can bring warmth and romance to every image.
Warm and Earthy
If you’re drawn to relaxed elegance and nature-inspired styling, this editing style will wrap your photos up in golden light and organic colors! Featuring honeyed tones, splashes of terracotta, olive greens, caramel browns, and muted neutrals, this style is great for that cozy, magically inviting feel.
True-to-Life
Rather than trying to evoke a certain mood, the true-to-life style keeps colors balanced, skin tones natural, and contrast moderate to ensure that editing is realistic and doesn’t stray from the authentic look of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some more questions? Well, you’re in luck, because we’ve answered some of the most common queries about wedding photography below!
Which wedding photo style is most popular?
Documentary, editorial, and traditional wedding photo styles are the most popular options. Although we have seen a big rise in the popularity of documentary style on our feeds recently! That said, finding the right style for you could mean a combination of all three. Or even a completely unique new style that revolves around you and your significant other.
What is the best wedding photography style?
The simple answer is: there isn’t one. It’s completely subjective! It purely depends on the aesthetic you’d like. If you love a more natural feel, documentary style might suit best. If you prefer something a bit more structured, then editorial or traditional could be a lovely match. The best wedding photography style is one that reflects your personalities and the atmosphere you want in your photos.
What are the four styles of photography?
The four most common styles of wedding photography are documentary, editorial, traditional, and lifestyle photography! Many photographers will blend elements from many different styles to curate a collection specifically for you.
How do I find my wedding photography style?
Start by browsing wedding galleries (either directly through photographers’ websites or on social media), creating a mood board, and saving all of the examples that you like. You’ll start to notice recurring themes in lighting, posing, composition, and general aesthetic, making it super easy to identify the style you naturally gravitate towards.
How do I pick a wedding photographer?
First, you need to decide which wedding photography style suits your vision best! Then research photographers whose portfolios reflect that look. Always ask to see the full wedding galleries, not just their highlights, to get a real insight into their work. It’s also important to arrange a call or meeting to make sure you’re comfortable working with them, since you’ll be with them throughout your wedding day, and so that you’re all aligned on the outcome. Great photographs come easily with trust! Finally, be sure to read reviews, compare different package options, and carefully check any contracts so you know exactly what’s included before you proceed with booking.
How long do you need a photographer for on your wedding day?
Most couples will book a photographer for between six and ten hours, depending on their plans. This will usually be enough time to capture the preparations, ceremony, portraits, reception, and evening celebrations. Larger weddings or ones that span across multiple locations may require additional coverage time.
How many photos should I expect from a wedding photographer?
Every photographer is different, so remember to double-check these details before hiring, but you can typically expect around 400-800 photographs for a full day. This amount can be affected by the number of photographers hired, hours of coverage, photography style, and the events you have planned for the day.
The key to choosing a wedding photography style that reflects you both, complements your vision, and captures your big day is to select a photography and editing style that feels true to you. By understanding the different shooting and editing styles available, you’ll be well equipped to find a photographer who can create a wedding album that you’ll adore!
Do you have a photography style that appeals to you? Maybe it’s the documentary style if you’re shy in front of the camera. Or perhaps you want to channel your inner model with the editorial style. And the traditional style never goes out of fashion, if you’re looking for that timeless feel. Let us know which you like most in the comments below!
Lily is a Content Specialist at Zazzle from Galway, Ireland. Before she could even walk, she was begging her parents to read her fantastical stories filled with great adventures. To this day, just give her a cup of tea and a good book to cozy up with, and she will be happily lost for hours! If she doesn’t have her nose in a book, then she will probably whipping up something delicious in the kitchen for her friends and family, or, negotiating with her house plants to stay alive.
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