Wedding Photography Styles
What are Wedding Photography Styles?
Wedding photography styles are distinct approaches photographers use to capture your big day. From candid documentary styles to artistic fine art photography, these styles shape how your love story is visually told. Understanding these styles helps you find a photographer who matches your vision.
Why They Matter
Choosing the right photography style affects how your wedding day is remembered. Each style captures moments differently—some focus on timeless, classic looks, while others emphasize creativity and contemporary aesthetics. The right style ensures your photos reflect your unique story.
Photography Styles Have Evolved
Wedding photography has transformed from stiff, formal portraits to diverse, expressive styles. What started as traditional poses has evolved into storytelling through candid, artistic, and even nostalgic approaches. This evolution gives couples the freedom to choose a style that truly represents their personalities and love story. 15 years of photographing weddings, I've mastered the various forms of styles to fit your needs.
Traditional
Traditional wedding photography focuses on classic and posed photographs, often formal in nature. This style includes group shots, portraits of the couple, and key moments like the ceremony and first kiss.
Ideal for couples who prefer timeless, elegant, and formal photos that will stand the test of time.
Photojournalistic
Also known as documentary photography, this style captures candid, natural, and unposed shots. The photographer acts as an observer, documenting the day as it unfolds, capturing genuine emotions and spontaneous moments.
Ideal for couples who want their wedding photos to tell a story and reflect real, unfiltered emotions.
Take Our Interactive Quiz to Find the Best Photography Style for Your Special Day
Your personality reveals a lot about the style of photography you prefer. Answer these 5 simple character related questions that will help determine the style of photography that best suites your personal style.
The result will provide you more details about your preferred style and what and the pros and cons to each style, as well as some recommendations for vendors that match your style.
Artistic/Cinematic
Artistic or cinematic wedding photography combines creative compositions and dramatic lighting to produce visually stunning images. This style often includes unique angles, bold colors, and a film-like quality.
Ideal for couples who want their wedding photos to look like a movie or an art piece, full of creativity and flair.
Fine Art
Fine art wedding photography focuses on creating images that resemble high-quality art prints. This style is highly stylized and often incorporates elements of fashion and beauty photography.
Ideal for couples who appreciate high-end, editorial-style photos that look like they belong in a gallery.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle photography is candid and relaxed, capturing the essence of everyday life in a stylized manner. It combines elements of photojournalism with a bit of direction to create natural and spontaneous images.
Ideal for couples who want a mix of candid and slightly posed photos that capture their personality and interactions.
Editorial
Editorial wedding photography is stylized and posed, often with a high-fashion or magazine-like feel. It involves creating images that look polished and sophisticated, with a focus on elegance and glamour.
Ideal for couples who love the idea of their wedding photos looking like they came straight out of a luxury bridal magazine.
Vintage/Retro
Vintage or retro wedding photography uses filters and techniques to mimic older styles of photography. It creates a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of photos from past decades.
Ideal for couples who love the charm and character of old-fashioned photos and want their wedding to have a nostalgic touch.
Modern
Modern wedding photography is clean, contemporary, and trendy. It focuses on current aesthetics, often featuring minimalist compositions and bright, clean colors.
Ideal for couples who want their wedding photos to reflect contemporary styles and trends.
Moody/Dark
Moody or dark wedding photography uses deep shadows, rich colors, and a dramatic tone to create emotionally intense images. This style often has a romantic and mysterious feel.
Ideal for couples who love the idea of dramatic and emotionally powerful photos.
Bright & Airy
Bright and airy wedding photography is characterized by light-filled images with soft colors and an ethereal, romantic feel. It often uses natural light to create a dreamy and delicate look.
Ideal for couples who want their wedding photos to be light, fresh, and romantic.
Black and White
Black and white wedding photography focuses on contrast, texture, and timeless elegance. It removes the distraction of color, emphasizing the raw emotion and composition of the images.
Ideal for couples who appreciate the classic and timeless beauty of monochromatic photos.
Natural/Earthy
Natural or environmental photography incorporates the natural surroundings and landscape into the composition. It often features outdoor settings and emphasizes the beauty of nature.
Ideal for couples who are having an outdoor wedding or love the idea of nature playing a significant role in their photos.
Adventure
Adventure wedding photography captures dynamic and exciting moments, often in unique and breathtaking locations. It’s perfect for couples who love the thrill of adventure and want their wedding photos to reflect that spirit.
Ideal for couples who are planning an adventurous wedding or elopement and want their photos to capture that excitement.
Cultural/Traditions
Cultural or traditional wedding photography highlights cultural or traditional elements of the wedding. It focuses on capturing important rituals, attire, and details specific to the couple’s heritage.
Ideal for couples who want to honor and celebrate their cultural or traditional background in their wedding photos.
Romantic
Romantic wedding photography is soft, intimate, and emotional. It focuses on capturing the love and connection between the couple, often using soft lighting and delicate compositions.
Ideal for couples who want their wedding photos to be filled with love and tenderness.
Thematic
Thematic wedding photography centers around a specific theme or concept meaningful to the couple. It often involves creative setups, props, and storytelling elements.
Ideal for couples who have a unique theme for their wedding and want their photos to reflect that concept.
