Choosing the perfect photography style for your wedding is one of the most important steps in creating lasting memories. Every couple has a unique story, and the right approach can capture the true essence of your special day.
Whether you’re drawn to timeless, classic images or prefer candid shots that reflect real emotions, your chosen photography style will shape how your wedding is remembered.
This guide will walk you through various wedding photography styles, from traditional and documentary to more artistic and contemporary approaches. Each brings something unique, ensuring that your wedding album reflects your personality, vision, and the day’s emotions.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Choosing the right wedding photography style is key to how your day will be remembered. Traditional photography focuses on formal poses, while documentary captures candid moments.
Fine art and editorial styles offer creative, stylised shots, and black-and-white photography enhances emotions. Natural light works well for outdoor weddings, creating soft, romantic images.
Contemporary photography blends formal and candid shots, while drone, vintage, and adventure styles offer unique perspectives. When deciding, consider your personality, venue, and photographer’s experience.
Guide To Wedding Photography Styles
Choosing the right wedding photography style plays a major role in capturing and remembering your special day. Each style offers a unique way to tell your wedding story, and finding one that aligns with your vision ensures your wedding album reflects your personality.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand the most popular wedding photography styles and decide which best suits your needs.
Traditional Wedding Photography
Traditional photography focuses on posed and formal shots, such as family portraits and classic bride and groom images. In this style, the photographer takes charge, ensuring everyone is positioned perfectly and that no key moments are missed, such as cutting the cake or walking down the aisle.
Traditional photography suits couples who prefer structured, timeless images. It captures all the significant moments cleanly, giving you a wedding album filled with elegant, formal shots.
Documentary Or Photojournalistic Photography
In contrast to traditional styles, documentary or photojournalistic photography takes a candid approach, focusing on capturing real emotions and spontaneous moments. The photographer blends into the background, allowing the day to unfold naturally without much interference.
This style is ideal for couples who prefer authentic, unposed images. It reflects the day as it truly happens, capturing genuine emotions like laughter, tears, and joy. The result is a relaxed, personal wedding album that tells the true story of the day.
Fine Art Photography
Fine art wedding photography is all about creativity and composition. Photographers in this style carefully consider lighting, angles, and details to create visually striking, artistic images.
The result is often more stylised and polished than other approaches. This style is perfect for couples who appreciate aesthetics and want their wedding album to feel like a curated art collection.
Fine art photographers often add their creative touch, giving your images a sophisticated, elegant quality.
Editorial Wedding Photography
Inspired by fashion magazines, editorial photography brings a touch of glamour and drama to wedding photos. The photographer focuses on creating stylish, posed images with a cinematic feel.
Lighting, settings, and poses are all carefully controlled to achieve a luxurious, high-end look. Editorial photography is great for couples who want their wedding photos to have a polished, magazine-worthy appearance.
The style involves more direction and planning from the photographer, resulting in bold, dramatic images.
Black And White Photography
Black and white photography isn’t a separate style but a technique that enhances emotion and mood by focusing on contrast, textures, and expressions. These images often have a timeless, classic feel and draw attention to the moment’s emotions.
Many photographers include a mix of black-and-white images in their collections, especially for intimate moments like the first dance or an emotional exchange of vows. This is a good option for couples who want their wedding photos to feel refined and elegant.
Natural Light Photography
Natural light photography relies on sunlight and natural lighting without artificial lighting or flash. This style works best for outdoor weddings or venues with plenty of sunlight, where the photographer can make the most of the natural environment.
Couples who prefer a soft, romantic feel might choose natural light photography. It works particularly well for outdoor ceremonies in gardens, beaches, or similar settings, creating warm, glowing images of natural beauty.
Contemporary Wedding Photography
Contemporary wedding photography blends traditional and modern elements, capturing posed and candid shots. It often includes creative angles and settings but focuses on documenting the day naturally.
Couples who want a balance of artistic and documentary-style photography may opt for contemporary photography. This approach provides more flexibility, allowing for formal portraits and fun, candid moments that reflect the day’s spirit.
Drone Photography
Drone photography provides a unique aerial perspective, offering wide views of the venue, ceremony, and guests. It’s particularly effective for outdoor weddings, adding dramatic, sweeping shots that standard ground-level photography can’t capture.
Drone photography is ideal for couples having scenic outdoor weddings, as it highlights the beauty of the location and gives a bird’s-eye view of the entire event.
Destination Wedding Photography
Destination wedding photography captures not just the couple but also the unique location of the wedding. Whether you’re getting married on a beach, in the mountains, or in a historic city, the photographer blends the beauty of the surroundings with intimate wedding moments.
Couples planning a destination wedding often want their photos to reflect their love story and the grandeur of the location. A photographer experienced in destination weddings can capture the magic of the setting and the celebration.
Vintage Or Retro Wedding Photography
Vintage or retro photography offers a nostalgic, old-fashioned look. It is often created through filters, lighting, or editing techniques that mimic older photography styles.
This may include sepia tones, grainy textures, or muted colours to evoke a sense of the past. This style is perfect for couples who want their wedding to have a timeless, nostalgic feel.
It’s especially suitable for themed weddings or those who appreciate the charm of earlier eras. Vintage photography adds a romantic, distinctive touch to your wedding album.
Adventure Wedding Photography
Adventure wedding photography is designed for couples who love the outdoors and plan to marry in stunning natural settings, such as mountaintops, forests, or waterfalls. The focus is capturing the couple in breathtaking, adventurous locations, creating unique and memorable images.
This style suits couples who want their wedding photos to reflect their love of adventure and the outdoors. It often results in dramatic images highlighting the landscape’s beauty and the couple’s connection.
Conclusion
Choosing the right wedding photography style is key to capturing your special day in a way that reflects your personality and the overall vibe of your wedding.
Each style is unique, from traditional posed photos to candid, natural moments. Whether you prefer the timeless elegance of black and white photography, the creative flair of fine art, or the relaxed feel of documentary photography, there’s a style to suit every couple.
By understanding the different approaches and discussing your preferences with your photographer, you can ensure your wedding photos are something you’ll cherish for years. The right style will capture the beauty of your day and tell the story in a way that feels authentic to you.
FAQs About Wedding Photography
Is Wedding Photography Worth It?
Professionals generally have a minimum acceptable price and are not open to bargaining. Although they may seem pricey, remember that they have unique skills and have invested in top-notch equipment, including editing software.
How Many Photos Do You Get From A Wedding Photographer?
Consulting with other wedding photographers we know, you can expect roughly 50-100 images per hour of shooting time.
For a standard 8-hour day of wedding photography, a photographer should expect to pass along 400-800 photos to their clients.
How Much Do Photographers Charge?
Photographers in Australia typically charge between $100 and $500 per hour, depending on their experience, the type of photography, and the location. For events like weddings, package deals may range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more. Always ask for a detailed quote to understand what’s included.
Is 6 Hours Of Wedding Photography Enough?
Six hours of photography coverage is usually the minimum you can book for a traditional wedding (not an elopement or intimate wedding).
What Can I Do Instead Of Wedding Photography?
The cost of a novice photographer is low. Those just starting their careers are desperate for employment, and you provide them the best chance.
- Pros: They take high-quality photographs to prove their work and attempt to impress you as a client.
- Cons: A novice’s lack of experience may show their lack of professional-level shooting skills. Insufficient equipment prevents them from shooting a wedding properly.
