What Photography Style Is Best For You? A Guide To Help You Decide Your Wedding Photographer.
The wedding to-do list goes on and on, and the wedding photographer is a big decision. From finding just the right one, to thinking about what shots and style you want.
When it comes to photography style, it’s not as insurmountable as it may seem. There are a plethora of different styles out there, but you don’t need to look at them all to decide. With a few simple questions, you can have a direction to go or a style to shoot for (pun intended). Just make sure that if you’re desiring photos of you and your spouse kayaking together, that your photographer doesn’t have hydrophobia.
What are your hobbies?
A simple place to start when thinking about wedding photography is what are your and your fiancé’s hobbies, likes and dislikes?
Are you both outdoor adventurers? Or more home-body cozy indoor folks? Do you enjoy biking, reading, or movies? These little questions can create a world of creativity. Bring in some props like a bike, kayak, books, or a rifle even (just make sure your photo venue doesn’t have regulations on firearms); the options are as wide as your imagination.
For example, if you are both big baseball fans, then head to a baseball diamond for photos. Capture some sweet loving gazes in the bleacher, the base, or the backstop. Bring a bat, ball, cap and glove. Capture your playfulness and passion for the game and each other.
If movies are your jam, think about some favorite films, actors, or scenes and create some settings and poses. Take your own wedding photo of the movie cover from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, using your family or wedding party as the very involved family. Or do a simple imitation and capture the elusive romantic intrigue from the Pride and Prejudice movie cover. Whether it’s rom-coms, action, or family films, “may the force be with you.”
You can think about what drew you together, how you met, or what you enjoy doing on dates.
You should also spend at least a little time thinking about what you don’t like. Both in wedding photos and life. For example, if you don’t like the classic wedding photo that you see on your parent’s, cousin’s, and dentist’s walls, then do something different. If you don’t like the outdoors at all see what photo venues you can find which capture your vibe. Perhaps an old architectural style hotel or sleek modern building. Find your aesthetic.
Working in your hobbies and likes can be a fun way to capture your unique relationship
Current Trending Styles
Rather than, or in addition to, your hobbies and interests, you can choose an already curated style. The advantage is that your photographer will likely be familiar and experienced with capturing such styles (especially those currently trending). Another advantage will be that all your photos will have a similar feel to them, giving a unity to those future photos books and home decor.
True to Color/Traditional
This style is what it sounds like. The photos you see on your parent’s, cousin’s and dentist’s walls. The simple and sweet staged portraits of gazing into each other’s eyes, or smiling for the camera. It is important to know what “staged” means though. It isn’t always the overly-posed images. Your photographer will guide you along the way to keep the photos still feeling natural.
True to Color emphasizes accurate color representation and natural-looking images (#nofilter). It also doesn’t mean that every photo will be of you two looking directly into the camera though.
Traditional photography involves staged but also non staged portraits with the couple, family and wedding party. They are characterized by their classic straightforwardness and formality.
There is a timelessness to these pictures which will always look good hanging up and capture the love and joy of the day perfectly. You can work in some props to lend a unique aspect to the traditional style, or you can keep it simple and sweet, letting this age-old photography style speak for itself.
However, if you’re looking for something more unique, fret not, there are plenty of other trending styles.
Moody
A moody style is that which uses dramatic light and shadow to create high-contrast images which evoke a sense of emotion and atmosphere. This style creates dramatic, cinema quality-like, romantic photos.
As opposed to bright tones, moody photography features deep, rich colors, often with a warm or earthy feel. The focus is on capturing the mood of a scene rather than just the moment. Think of the warmth you’ll feel when you gaze into your spouse’s eyes. This style of photography will capture that splendidly.
Moody photography benefits greatly from the golden hour, (that time right after the sunrise or before the sunset). If this is your choice, you may have to adjust the schedule of the wedding day or take photos before the special day or ceremony to capture the moody style.
These photos will be dramatic, romantic, and of warmer colors. If you are an outdoor adventurer, then this style lends itself remarkably well to capturing the excitement and drama of adventure-themed photos. (The below image is not mine)
Editorial
Editorial photography’s focus is on capturing the story of the day. It’s a style that blends the natural, beautiful portraits with storytelling and the fine details of the wedding day.
The poses are designed to look more natural and elegant and less staged, but are still directed and posed.
Intricate details such as bouquets, table settings, stationary and fashion are emphasized, adding to the overall visual storytelling of the day. This creates a visual feel of the wedding day, capturing all the tiny elements that made the day special, not just the people.
If you have an eye and love for detail, and spend hours on the centrepieces, invitations, and tiny things of the day, then this may be the style for you. Editorial photography will capture the minuscule detail, from the minute embroidery detail on your dress, to your choice for this specific flower in your bouquet or font on the table seating chart.
Black and white photos lend themselves exceptionally well to this elegant style. Editorial photos have a high-end, glamourous, magazine-inspired feel to it which tell the story of your day in all the little details.
If, however, you do not get excited about planning the table settings and you’re leaning towards just completely skipping the hall decor or going very minimal, then a different style of photography will cause you less angst and capture your day better. (The below image is not mine)
Documentary/Photojournalistic,
While traditional photography is all about directed poses and staged photography, this style is at the opposite end of the spectrum. Documentary/Photojournalistic style focuses on capturing the genuine, raw moments and emotions of the day without any intervention from the photographer.
This style, which captures the story of the day as it naturally unfolds, as though it is documenting a news story, will give the future viewer a feeling of actually being there.
A trick to capturing this style is to have an activity planned for the newly married couple and wedding party. Go to an archery range, for example, and just have fun for an hour, letting the photographer be a fly on the wall and capture the event as it naturally unfolds.
You don’t need to plan an event however. If you’re simply someone who can ignore the photographer and just have fun, and those are the photos you want to capture of your special day, then this is the perfect style for you. If, however, you’re going to struggle to ignore the photographer and you feel very self conscious about how you appear, and want some direction for where to put your hands, etc., then this style may not be the best fit for you. (The below image is not mine)
Fine Art
Fine Art photography focuses on aesthetics and emotions, crafting visually stunning photos rather than just documenting the event. It is similar to editorial photography, but with a softer, more dreamy and ethereal feel. Think of fairy tales.
This style’s goal is to capture the couple’s love and overall mood of the day, through artistic means. It differs from the aforementioned styles in-so-far as it has more direction from the photographer to really capture the mood. It does this through a more creative approach. Location, lighting and styling need careful attention to capture the dreamy, romantic quality.
Similarly to editorial, there is an emphasis on detail. The images often feature soft colours and natural poses.
Unlike documentary photography, this style does not focus exclusively on capturing the day, they are art pieces that evoke emotion and tell a story. (The below image is not mine)
Vintage
Think of that classy car and wedding shot.
This style is not about making photos look old, but rather about creating a look that evokes the past and a sense of nostalgia. You’re going to feel nostalgic when you look at your wedding photos regardless of style, but this style will emphasize that feel.
It aims to capture the essence of a bygone era through soft colours, dreamy lighting, and romantic framing; creating a timeless and elegant look.
These photos are more heavily edited to achieve the vintage color palette, lighting effects, etc.
Similar to documentary, this style is less staged and focuses on capturing genuine moments and emotions. The goal with this style is to capture images that feel timeless and meaningful which tell a love story in an intimate and personal way. (The below image is not mine)
How do you want to style your home
If you’re still feeling lost, then think about how you envision decorating your future home. Will the colours you choose be light, natural tones, or more warm earthy ones? Dark and dramatic, or calm and soft?
Will you have lots of detail in your home decor, or will it be more minimalist and simple?
Simply thinking about how you want to decorate can lead you to the styles you enjoy overall, helping you pinpoint what direction you may want to go for your wedding photos.
Conclusion
In the end, style isn’t everything. The photos you have taken of this special day will be full of love, nostalgia, and a story regardless of the specific style you choose, their uniqueness, or thier similarity to your dentist’s.
Choosing the right photographer for your day is what is important. Ensure the photographer is helping you every step of the way and check out my blog “What questions should I ask potential photographers before hiring them?”