Choosing the right wedding photography styles can feel overwhelming. You’re bombarded with different looks on Instagram and Pinterest. Trust me – I get it. Picking a photographer to capture your love story on one of the most important days of your life isn’t something to take lightly. But it can be a beautiful, personal, and pretty fun part of the process when you know what you’re looking for.
Let’s break down the different wedding photography styles so you can understand what goes into creating them and confidently make a decision you feel good about.
Table Of Contents:
- Understanding Different Wedding Photography Styles
- Different Stylistic Approaches to Wedding Photography
- Conclusion
Understanding Different Wedding Photography Styles
I define wedding photography styles in two distinct ways:
- Visual editing and aesthetic
- Stylistic approach
Although intertwined, most people make decisions based on visual editing (think color, tones, light). So, let’s explore each style’s editing traits and stylistic approaches.
True to Color Wedding Photography
The true to color style, used by Daisy Blue, aims to accurately reflect the scene’s colors with natural-looking results. This technique captures authenticity. Editing involves basic adjustments while still preserving the natural beauty of each image. This is perfect for couples that are envisioning vibrant and bright imagery. Your images will look like what you saw on your amazing wedding day.
Light and Airy Wedding Photography
Dreamy, romantic, and soft, light and airy images enhance the wedding day’s emotional feel. These photos tend to embrace lighter tones. This aesthetic uses a softer focus, sometimes with blurred backgrounds, to bring a sense of intimacy.
This style unfolds through editing techniques like exposure adjustment. Light and airy photographers strive to recreate a soft, film-inspired look for timeless quality. It is a popular choice for couples hosting an outdoor wedding. This style of photography uses almost exclusively natural light, instead of using off camera flash.
Michelle Lamarand, a Metro Detroit area photographer is a fantastic example of light and airy photography.
Amy was amazing. Worth every penny spent. The quality of her photos are incredible. We prioritized finding a photographer who was going to capture our day perfectly, and Amy did just that. The best part is how organized and ready for anything she is. People said we would regret not getting a day of coordinator, but the way Amy had our photo timeline down to the minute, we didn’t even need one. She had a detailed photo list and a detailed timeline to ensure we captured everything and then some. If yall are still looking for a photographer, stop looking and book with DaisyBlue. It will be the best decision yet!
Alexis Zerbst-Behrendt
Vintage Wedding Photography
Vintage style wedding photography provides that timeless, classic appeal by channeling a sense of nostalgia. It’s not necessarily meant to look old. Instead, it draws inspiration from bygone eras, using editing techniques to evoke those feelings.
You might see photographers use color grading for a vintage palette, often incorporating film-inspired elements. Grain, vignetting (slightly darkened edges), and light leaks (those dreamy streaks of light) create the desired effects for this photography style. This style pairs well with venues that have a lot of character like art deco or rustic barns.
At Daisy Blue, we offer real black and white film, printed by hand the old fashioned way, in a darkroom. While we don’t offer a full day of film photography, this option gives you some fine art prints that are vintage because the process itself is vintage.
Dark and Moody Wedding Photography
Think dramatic. Think cinematic. Rich in contrast and full of depth, the moody aesthetic celebrates the power of shadows to draw attention and make a statement.
Moody photographers gravitate towards emotion-filled images, focusing less on the day’s smaller details. Minimalistic composition creates a sense of intimacy while tones remain deep and velvety, adjusted with editing for added drama. You will find that black and white imagery pairs beautifully within a moody gallery, adding a layer of sophistication and elegance.
As I’ve said above, you will see different types of photos throughout a wedding day. And while our style is primarily True to Color, we absolutely LOVE to throw some dramatic and moody photos into your final gallery.
Shannon Ferguson is a fantastic example of a full wedding of Dark and Moody photography.
Different Stylistic Approaches to Wedding Photography
Now let’s explore how a photographer’s approach influences their final product:
Traditional Wedding Photography
You know those posed, formal photos you often see? Yep, that’s the traditional approach. Classic and timeless, traditional wedding photography highlights posed shots—think couples, families, and guests—with an emphasis on those “must-have” pictures. The beauty of tradition is it’s straightforward and aims to ensure everyone looks their best.
I tend to use traditional wedding photography during formal events. Formal portraits for family photos or the wedding party are also a great time to incorporate elements of this timeless style. It provides a timeless aesthetic with formal photos for years to come. Couples who value classic portraiture will gravitate towards this approach.
Documentary Wedding Photography
Candid and authentic—that’s the name of the documentary-style game. Think of this style as unscripted storytelling through images. It embraces the day’s raw emotion. Instead of staged moments, the photographer anticipates interactions and reactions as they unfold.
I strive to make sure that all my wedding galleries include authenticity and heartfelt moments throughout a couple’s day. I’ve found this often happens naturally during ceremonies, cocktail hours, and receptions. It allows those special, unplanned moments to be cherished for years. For couples who want to relive their wedding day organically, a documentary approach will be a great fit.
Editorial Wedding Photography
If the words “glamorous” and “sophisticated” resonate with you, the editorial style could be your perfect match. Heavily inspired by high-end fashion shoots, every detail, from attire to the venue, takes center stage.
The goal? It’s all about capturing striking poses that look as if they belong in a magazine. The overall feel is intentional and polished, embracing the grandeur of wedding aesthetics. Think of those gorgeous flatlay images showcasing an invitation suite—the epitome of what editorial photography aims to capture. An editorial approach will attract couples that have a keen eye for detail and want their wedding day to feel like a styled shoot.
Fine Art Wedding Photography
Here’s where creativity shines. Think of this photography style as a blend of approaches. This is because a photographer using a fine art approach draws from documentary, editorial, or traditional elements. Unique compositions and lighting reign supreme as the goal elevates photographs to pure artwork.
At Daisy Blue we will often incorporate a dramatic lighting to create a dreamy and romantic aesthetic. Composition plays a vital role, often incorporating negative space for a modern twist. Couples drawn to an artistic perspective, appreciating unique angles and the play on light and shadow, will fall for the fine art style.
Conclusion
I think it’s safe to say most modern wedding photographer styles blend stylistic approaches—using bits and pieces to serve the overall needs and wants of the happy couple on their big day. Choosing wedding photography styles doesn’t need to be an overwhelming experience. Think of it as an exciting step towards curating the wedding photos you’ll cherish long after you say: “I Do.”
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