Wedding Photography Styles
Your wedding day is a tapestry of emotions, moments, and memories waiting to be immortalized through the lens of a skilled photographer. Each couple has their unique vision for how they want their special day to be captured. Let’s delve into the diverse spectrum of wedding photography styles to help you find the perfect fit;
- Traditional/Classic Photography
- Photojournalistic/Candid Photography
- Fine Art Photography
- Fashion Wedding Photography
- Dramatic Wedding Photography
- Documentary Wedding Photography
- Drone/Arial Photography
- Destination Wedding Photography
- Vintage Wedding Photography
- Light and Airy Photography
- Dark and Moody Photography
- Heavy Flash Photography
- Blurred Image Photography
Each of these styles offers a distinct perspective and aesthetic, allowing couples to choose the one that best reflects their personalities and vision for their wedding day. Whether you prefer timeless elegance, candid moments, artistic flair, or something entirely unique, there’s a wedding photography style to suit every taste and preference.
1. Traditional/Classic Photography:
- Focuses on formal poses and staged shots.
- Emphasizes group portraits and timeless compositions.
- Often uses natural light and traditional framing.
Traditional/Classic Photography: This style focuses on capturing timeless and posed shots of the couple, bridal party, and family. The photographer directs the subjects and ensures everyone looks their best, typically using formal compositions and lighting techniques.
Photographer Links: Breathless Imagery
2. Photojournalistic/Candid Photography:
- Captures spontaneous moments and genuine emotions.
- Minimal interference from the photographer, allowing for authentic storytelling.
- Focuses on candid interactions and fleeting moments.
Photojournalistic/Candid Photography: In this style, the photographer takes a documentary approach, capturing candid moments as they unfold throughout the day. The emphasis is on storytelling, with minimal interference or direction from the photographer. The goal is to capture authentic emotions and genuine interactions.
3. Fine Art Photography:
- Artistic and creative approach to wedding photography.
- Incorporates unique lighting, composition, and editing techniques.
- Aims to create visually stunning and artistic images.
Fine Art Photography: Fine art wedding photography is characterized by its artistic and creative approach. Photographers in this style often use unique compositions, creative lighting, and post-processing techniques to produce visually stunning and artistic images. The focus is on creating images that are not only beautiful but also evoke emotion and tell a story.
Photographer Links: Breathless Imagery
4. Fashion Wedding Photography:
- Inspired by high-fashion editorial shoots.
- Emphasizes glamour, style, and editorial poses.
- Requires extensive planning and styling for a fashion-forward look.
Fashion Wedding Photography: Inspired by editorial fashion photography, this style focuses on creating glamorous and stylish images of the couple. The photographer often incorporates fashion-inspired poses, dramatic lighting, and high-end retouching techniques to achieve a polished and sophisticated look.
5. Dramatic Wedding Photography:
- Plays with lighting and shadows for a bold, cinematic feel.
- Creates striking and impactful images through dramatic composition.
- Often involves creative editing techniques for added flair.
Dramatic Wedding Photography: This style emphasizes bold and striking imagery, often using dramatic lighting, shadows, and compositions to create visually impactful photos. The photographer may also use creative editing techniques to enhance the mood and atmosphere of the images.
Photographer Links: Breathless Imagery
6. Documentary Wedding Photography:
- Chronicles the day’s events as they naturally unfold.
- Focuses on storytelling and capturing the essence of the wedding day.
- Emphasizes candid moments and genuine emotions.
Documentary Wedding Photography: Similar to photojournalistic photography, documentary wedding photography focuses on capturing authentic moments and emotions throughout the day. However, it may also include elements of storytelling and narrative, with a focus on documenting the entire wedding day as it unfolds naturally.
7. Drone/Aerial Photography:
- Captures unique perspectives from above.
- Offers breathtaking aerial views of the wedding venue and surroundings.
- Adds a cinematic and dynamic element to wedding photography.
Drone/Aerial Photography: This style utilizes unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to capture stunning aerial shots of the wedding venue, ceremony, and surrounding landscapes. Drone photography provides a unique perspective and allows couples to showcase the beauty of their wedding location from above.
Photos by Candid Studios
8. Destination Wedding Photography:
- Specializes in capturing weddings in exotic locations.
- Showcases the beauty of the destination and cultural elements.
- Often incorporates travel photography techniques and storytelling.
Destination Wedding Photography: Destination wedding photography focuses on capturing the unique atmosphere and beauty of wedding celebrations held in exotic or picturesque locations. The photographer highlights the destination’s natural landscapes, architecture, and cultural elements, while also documenting the couple’s special day.
9. Vintage Wedding Photography:
- Nostalgic and retro-inspired style.
- Uses vintage cameras, film, or editing techniques for an old-world charm.
- Emphasizes timeless aesthetics and classic imagery.
Vintage Wedding Photography: Vintage wedding photography aims to evoke nostalgia and romanticism by incorporating retro styling, antique props, and vintage-inspired editing techniques. The photographer may use soft focus, muted colors, and film emulation to achieve a timeless and vintage aesthetic.
10. Light and Airy Photography:
- Soft, romantic, and ethereal style.
- Features bright, airy, and natural light-filled images.
- Creates a dreamy and romantic atmosphere in photos.
Light and Airy Photography: Light and airy wedding photography is characterized by its bright, soft, and ethereal look. The photographer uses natural light, soft pastel tones, and minimalistic compositions to create dreamy and romantic images that evoke a sense of lightness and joy.
Photographer Links: Breathless Imagery
11. Dark and Moody Photography:
- Utilizes shadows, contrast, and muted tones for a moody aesthetic.
- Evokes a sense of drama and mystery in images.
- Ideal for couples seeking a more atmospheric and edgy look.
Dark and Moody Photography: In contrast to light and airy photography, dark and moody wedding photography embraces shadows, rich tones, and dramatic lighting to create atmospheric and emotive images. This style often evokes a sense of mystery and romance, with an emphasis on mood and atmosphere.
Photographer Links: C&C Photo and Video
12. Heavy Flash Photography:
- Relies on artificial lighting, often using flash.
- Creates bold and vibrant images with controlled lighting.
- Suitable for low-light environments or nighttime events.
Heavy Flash Photography: This style utilizes artificial lighting techniques, such as off-camera flash or strobes, to create bold and impactful images. The photographer may use flash to illuminate subjects in low-light situations or to create dramatic lighting effects, resulting in vibrant and dynamic photos.
Photographer Links:
13. Blurred Image Photography:
- Incorporates intentional blur for artistic effect.
- Adds a sense of motion and dynamism to images.
- Creates a unique and unconventional style of wedding photography.
Blurred Image Photography: Blurred image wedding photography employs intentional blur techniques to create artistic and abstract images. The photographer may use techniques such as intentional camera movement or selective focus to blur certain elements of the image, resulting in dreamy and impressionistic photos.
Photos by Candid Studios
