Introduction:
Wedding photography is a creative and ever-evolving field, allowing photographers to explore various styles and techniques to capture the essence of a couple’s special day. With so many options to choose from, understanding these styles can help aspiring wedding photographers develop their unique approach, and couples can find the perfect photographer to tell their love story. In this article, we will discuss 13 different wedding photography styles and provide valuable insights for both photographers and couples.
13 Distinct Wedding Photography Styles: Exploring Techniques for Photographers and Couples
Traditional Wedding Photography:
Traditional wedding photography captures classic, posed shots that have been popular for decades. Key shots include group photos with family and friends, cake cutting, wine toasting, and the couple’s first kiss. This style requires photographers to direct and pose the subjects, emphasizing their experience and ability to take charge.
Photojournalistic Wedding Photography:
This style, often mixed with traditional photography, resembles reportage and documentary shooting. It focuses on capturing candid moments and telling the story of the day through a more informal approach. Creativity and skill in quickly framing and shooting unfolding moments are essential for this style.
Illustrative Wedding Photography:
Often employed in pre-wedding photo sessions, illustrative wedding photography places a strong focus on composition, lighting, and backdrop. Couples pose “candidly” in picturesque environments, blending traditional and photojournalistic styles. Landscape photography skills, wide-angle lenses, and sometimes aerial photography are necessary for this style.
Portrait Wedding Photography:
Portraiture captures beautiful, emotion-filled images of the bride, groom, and wedding party. Although not typically used as the sole approach, it is essential for a full wedding feature. Key moments include the bride’s makeup application, couple’s wardrobe, and private poses with parents.
Natural Wedding Photography:
Focusing on natural light instead of artificial sources, this style produces warm, organic images. It is best suited for outdoor weddings during the day, with soft sunlight to avoid harsh shadows. Bright lenses with wide apertures and proper white balance settings are crucial for this style.
Fine Art Wedding Photography:
Combining creative framing, lighting, composition, and post-production techniques, fine art wedding photography captures unique images. This style often incorporates slight adjustments to poses and items to achieve the desired composition but is not typically used as the sole approach for a wedding.
Fashion Wedding Photography:
Primarily used for commercial purposes, this style showcases bridal fashion through creative lighting, poses, and backgrounds. Recently, it has crossed over to actual wedding and engagement photos, allowing couples to be “models” for a day and look extra stylish and glamorous.
Black and White Wedding Photography:
Timeless and classic, black and white photography enhances the mood and composition of wedding images. This style is versatile, either preferred by clients or used to salvage images with challenging lighting conditions.
Vintage Wedding Photography:
Popular due to the nostalgic feelings they evoke, vintage wedding photography uses color distortion filters to create timeless, artistic images. This style is particularly appealing for couples with rustic-themed weddings.
Aerial Wedding Photography:
A modern approach, aerial wedding photography requires aerial drones with HD cameras to capture breathtaking outdoor wedding locations and unique bird’s eye view shots.
Editorial Wedding Photography:
Similar to photojournalistic wedding photography, editorial style captures authentic emotions and moments throughout the day. This approach allows couples to relive the fleeting memories of their wedding day.
Dark and Moody Wedding Photography:
High contrast, striking scenes, and a vintage aesthetic characterize dark and moody wedding photography. This style is perfect for couples seeking a moodier, highly artistic vibe.
Film Wedding Photography:
Film photography offers a soft, light, and ethereal look that digital cameras cannot replicate. Many wedding photographers now include film
photography in their packages, providing couples with a classic, clean aesthetic and a mix of digital and film images.
Selecting the Ideal Wedding Photography Style for You:
Selecting the ideal wedding photography style involves considering several factors, such as personal preferences, the photographer’s personality, and their pricing. Start by exploring the types of images that appeal to you on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Identify whether you prefer a light and airy look or a dark and moody aesthetic, and search for a photographer who specializes in that style.
Most photographers have developed their unique style and prefer to stick with it. Therefore, it’s better to find a photographer that aligns with your vision rather than asking them to adopt an entirely new approach.
Conclusion:
Understanding the various wedding photography styles can help both aspiring photographers and couples find the perfect approach to capture the magic of their special day. From traditional and photojournalistic to fine art and aerial, each style offers unique opportunities for creativity and storytelling. As a photographer, exploring these styles will help you hone your skills and develop your signature approach. As a couple, understanding these styles will ensure that you find the ideal photographer to capture the essence of your love story and create lasting memories.
At Yabesh Photography, our team of experienced photographers specializes in a range of wedding photography styles to provide you with a truly memorable experience. Visit our website to explore our portfolio and find the perfect style for your big day.
