Before reading this blog post, you’ve probably seen so many wedding photography styles on socials, blogs, etc. that you just can’t decide which is the one for you. All wedding photography styles can create the most amazing images and every style has its pros and cons. As a documentary wedding photographer, my style is very much aimed at capturing your day as it happens. But throughout your day, I tend to use elements of all wedding photography styles.
Understanding Wedding Photography Styles
Your wedding day is a beautiful story, waiting to be told, and the style of photography you choose will help bring that story to life. Let’s take a closer look at the various styles available and find the one that perfectly fits your love story.
Traditional Wedding Photography: Classic Elegance
Traditional wedding photography is like the old, reliable friend you can always count on. It’s the style that’s been capturing love stories for generations, with its timeless elegance and grace. When you think of traditional wedding photos, you might imagine those classic, posed shots of the bride and groom, the bridal party, and the family. It’s about capturing those formal moments beautifully, ensuring that every detail is preserved for years to come. And let’s not forget the timeless appeal of black and white imagery, adding a touch of nostalgia and sophistication to your wedding album.
Why Traditional Rocks:
- Captures formal moments beautifully
- Timeless appeal, suitable for family heirlooms
- Provides structured shots, ensuring key moments are captured
- Elicits a sense of nostalgia and sophistication
- Offers a sense of familiarity and comfort for couples and families
Why Traditional Sucks:
- May feel overly posed or staged for some couples
- Can lack spontaneity and authenticity
- Requires more time for setup and organization
- May not capture the full range of emotions and candid moments
- Limited flexibility in terms of creative compositions
How I Use Traditional Wedding Photography
Group photos are something that almost every couple wants on their wedding day. I feel these formal wedding photos are an important part of every wedding day and, when done correctly, are quick, painless, and create beautiful memories for your families.
Traditional Wedding Photography Examples
Documentary Wedding Photography (AKA Photojournalism): Keeping It Real
If you prefer a more laid-back, authentic vibe, documentary wedding photography might be right up your alley. No staging, no posing—just real, honest moments captured as they unfold. It’s like having a visual storytelling of your day, filled with genuine emotions and memories you’ll cherish forever. With documentary wedding photography, the focus is on capturing the essence of your day—the laughter, the tears, the little moments in between—without any interference or interruption. It’s about preserving the authenticity of your day, one candid photograph at a time.
Why Documentary Rocks:
- Captures authentic, unscripted moments as they happen
- The photos show people’s true character and personality, not just their awkward smile
- Provides a candid and genuine portrayal of the wedding day
- Offers a more relaxed and informal atmosphere
- Allows couples to focus on enjoying the moment without feeling pressured to pose
- Emphasizes the emotional significance of fleeting moments
Why Documentary Sucks:
- May miss some traditional or formal shots that couples desire
- Requires a skilled photographer to anticipate and capture key moments
- Can be challenging to ensure consistent quality throughout the day
- Relies heavily on the photographer’s ability to blend in and remain unobtrusive
- May not appeal to couples who prefer more structured and posed shots
How I Use Documentary Wedding Photography
Over 90% of every wedding I photograph is captured this way. Capturing beautiful natural moments is what I love most about wedding photography. For the couple, it is unobtrusive and you get to capture the true story of your wedding day.
Documentary Wedding Photography Examples
Fine Art Wedding Photography: Adding a Touch of Creativity
Enter the world of fine art wedding photography, where every shot feels like a work of art. This style is all about creativity, with soft lighting, artistic compositions, and dreamy aesthetics taking center stage. Think of it as a marriage between photography and painting, with each image carefully crafted to evoke emotion and beauty. With fine art wedding photography, the focus is not just on capturing moments but on creating stunning, timeless masterpieces that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. It’s about adding that extra touch of magic to your wedding day, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.
Why Fine Art Rocks
- Emphasizes artistic compositions and aesthetics
- Creates stunning, visually striking images
- Offers a unique and creative perspective on wedding photography
- Incorporates elements of romance and whimsy
- Provides a timeless and elegant feel to the final images
Why Fine Art Sucks
- Requires more time and effort to set up shots and achieve desired lighting
- Can be subjective in terms of artistic interpretation
- May not appeal to couples seeking a more traditional approach
- Relies heavily on the photographer’s artistic vision and skill
How I Use Fine Art Wedding Photography
I love to take a fine art approach to couple portraits. By leaving you as a couple to have a moment and focussing on composition, it creates amazing photos like the ones below, that look posed, but are just natural, authentic wedding day moments, captured in a fine art style.
Fine Art Wedding Photography Examples
Contemporary Wedding Photography: Breaking the Mould
Finally, we have contemporary wedding photography, where tradition meets modernity. This style is all about pushing the boundaries, with bold compositions and innovative techniques that capture your love story in a fresh, unique way. Whether it’s experimenting with unconventional angles, playing with light and shadow, or incorporating the latest trends, contemporary wedding photography offers endless possibilities for creativity and self-expression. It’s about capturing your love story in a way that feels current and relevant, reflecting your personality and style as a couple.
Why Contemporary Rocks.
- Embraces modern trends and techniques in photography
- Offers a fresh and innovative approach to capturing love stories
- Allows for experimentation with unconventional angles and compositions
- Reflects the couple’s unique personality and style
- Provides a dynamic and creative interpretation of the wedding day
Why ContemporarySucks.
- May not appeal to couples seeking a more traditional or timeless aesthetic
- Requires a photographer with a strong understanding of modern photography techniques
- Can be subjective in terms of artistic interpretation
- May not have the same level of universal appeal as more classic styles of photography (a lot of parents hate this style)
How I Use Contemporary Wedding Photography
Sometimes it’s fun to experiment. Slow shutter speeds, reflections, unusual framing. These are all things I do on a wedding day to push myself creatively and to give couples some beautiful, fresh images that are unique to them.
Contemporary Wedding Photography Examples
Film Wedding Photography: Perfect Imperfections
The lenses aren’t as sharp, focus isn’t always perfect, they can be really grainy and they can be a pig to work with. But, my god, there is something about a film photo that makes it feel so authentic, so real. Film has a way of capturing detail and texture that, when combined with the imperfection & grain, gives it an authentic, timeless feel. There is an instant sense of nostalgia that comes from looking at a film photograph and the physical process of taking an developing gives it and authentic analogue experience in a truly digital world.
Be wary of “film-style” wedding photography, or photographers who “images have a film feel”. Can you get a digital image that resembles film? Yes. Is it the same? No. If you want film photography, get someone who specialises in real film photography. Think of it this way, nobody has a craving for bread with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, do they?
Why Film Rocks.
- How it looks. You can do lots in Photoshop, but real film photos just hit different
- It feels special. Having your photo taken on film feels like a big deal compared to digital
- It’s more intentional. When every photo costs around £3, things get very intentional, leading to beautiful results.
Why Film Sucks.
- May not appeal to couples seeking a more modern aesthetic
- Requires a photographer with a strong understanding of film photography
- Can be expensive due to the cost of film and processing
How I Use Film In My Wedding Photography
I love film. When a couple asks me to use film at their wedding, it is always fun. It creates beautiful, authentic images that simply can’t be recreated digitally.
Film Wedding Photography Examples
Choosing the Right Wedding Photography Style for Your Wedding
With so many amazing wedding photography styles to choose from, how do you decide which one is right for you? It all comes down to your personal preferences, your wedding theme, and the story you want to tell. Take some time to explore each style, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need a hand—I’m here to help make your vision a reality. Whether you’re drawn to the classic elegance of traditional photography, the raw, authentic feel of documentary style, or the creative flair of fine art and contemporary photography, there’s a style out there that’s perfect for you.
Ready to start planning your wedding photography?
Ready to start planning your wedding photography? Let’s chat! Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic, film-filled affair or a laid-back, documentary-style celebration, I’m here to capture you and your guests at their finest. Get in touch today and let’s chat about creating amazing images as unique as you.
