How to Choose Your Wedding Photography Style

Choosing your wedding photographer isn't just about finding someone with a camera and a date available. It's about finding someone whose way of seeing the world matches the way you want to remember your wedding day.

There are now more wedding photography styles than ever, from documentary and candid photography to traditional, fine art and editorial approaches. The terminology can sometimes feel confusing, particularly when different photographers use the same words to describe quite different things.

So how do you work out which style is right for you?

The best place to start is by thinking about how you want your wedding photographs to feel.

What Are the Different Wedding Photography Styles?

Wedding photography styles generally fall somewhere between two ends of a spectrum.

At one end, you have highly posed and traditional photography, where the photographer directs exactly where people stand and how they pose.

At the other, you have documentary photography, where the photographer takes a much more observational approach and allows moments to happen naturally.

Many modern wedding photographers sit somewhere between the two.

They'll capture genuine, unplanned moments throughout the day while also stepping in when necessary to create beautiful portraits or organise important family photographs.

Understanding these differences can help you find a style that feels natural to you.

Documentary Wedding Photography

Documentary wedding photography is all about telling the story of your wedding day as it actually happened.

Rather than constantly directing you, the photographer observes what is happening and captures the emotions, interactions and small details as they unfold.

That could be your dad seeing you in your wedding dress for the first time, your friends laughing during the speeches or a quiet moment between you and your partner that nobody else notices.

The aim isn't simply to create a collection of beautiful individual photographs.

It's to create a visual story of the day.

If you don't particularly enjoy being photographed and want your wedding to feel relaxed rather than staged, documentary photography could be a great fit.

Natural and Candid Wedding Photography

Natural wedding photography has become increasingly popular with couples who want photographs that feel authentic rather than overly posed.

The photographer may still provide direction, particularly during portraits, but the emphasis is generally on natural expressions, movement and genuine interactions.

Instead of asking everyone to constantly look at the camera, your photographer might encourage you to walk, talk, laugh or simply spend time together.

The result can feel much more like you.

Natural photography can also work particularly well alongside documentary coverage, giving you a mixture of beautifully composed portraits and spontaneous moments throughout the day.

Traditional Wedding Photography

Traditional wedding photography is generally more structured.

It often includes formal group photographs, carefully posed couple portraits and specific photographs of important moments.

For some couples, these photographs are essential.

There is something timeless about having a beautiful portrait of you both, photographs with parents and grandparents, and a complete record of the people who were there to celebrate with you.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting those photographs.

In fact, most weddings benefit from having some level of organisation when it comes to family photographs.

The key is finding the balance between capturing those important formal images and allowing the rest of the day to unfold naturally.

Fine Art Wedding Photography

Fine art wedding photography tends to place a strong emphasis on composition, light, colour and artistic detail.

The photographs may have a softer, more carefully curated appearance, with particular attention given to the overall aesthetic.

Couples who love beautiful details, elegant compositions and a more romantic visual style may be drawn towards fine art photography.

It's worth remembering, however, that "fine art" can mean different things to different photographers.

Always look at a photographer's actual portfolio rather than relying solely on the label they use to describe their work.

Editorial Wedding Photography

Editorial wedding photography takes inspiration from fashion and magazine photography.

It can involve more intentional posing, dramatic compositions, interesting locations and carefully considered use of light.

If you love fashion magazines and want some of your wedding photographs to have a polished, sophisticated feel, an editorial approach could appeal to you.

Again, many photographers combine editorial portraits with more documentary coverage throughout the rest of the day.

That combination can give you the best of both worlds.

Which Wedding Photography Style Is Right for You?

The easiest way to answer this is to think about how you want to feel when you look through your wedding photographs in ten, twenty or thirty years.

Do you want to remember the day exactly as it happened?

Documentary photography might be right for you.

Do you want natural photographs without lots of posing?

Look for a photographer who describes their work as natural or candid.

Do you love beautifully composed portraits?

A photographer with a traditional, fine art or editorial influence may be a better match.

Or perhaps you want a mixture.

Most couples do.

How to Find a Photographer Whose Style You Love

Once you've identified the type of photography you like, start looking at photographers' portfolios.

Pay attention to how their photographs make you feel.

Do they feel relaxed?

Do the people look comfortable?

Are the photographs full of emotion?

Does the editing feel natural?

Do you like the way they use light?

Most importantly, can you imagine yourself in those photographs?

Don't choose a photographer simply because one or two photographs on their website look incredible. Look for consistency across an entire wedding.

Why You Should Look at a Full Wedding Gallery

A photographer can show their ten best photographs on a website.

A full wedding gallery tells you much more.

Ask to see an entire wedding from beginning to end.

Look at how the photographer handles different lighting conditions, indoor spaces, group photographs, portraits, speeches and the evening celebrations.

You'll quickly get a much better understanding of their approach.

It's also a good way to see whether their portfolio represents what you can realistically expect from your own wedding day.

Can You Combine Different Wedding Photography Styles?

Absolutely.

In fact, many couples don't want to choose just one.

You might want natural, documentary photographs throughout most of the day but still want a handful of beautifully composed portraits.

You may want relaxed photographs of your guests alongside traditional family group photographs.

There's no reason your wedding photography has to fit neatly into one category.

A good photographer should be able to adapt their approach to different parts of the day while maintaining a consistent overall style.

Choosing a Style That Will Stand the Test of Time

Trends in wedding photography come and go.

Editing styles change. Poses become fashionable. Social media influences the way photographs are presented.

But photographs that capture genuine emotion tend to remain meaningful.

When choosing your photography style, don't worry too much about what is currently popular.

Instead, think about what feels authentic to you as a couple.

Years from now, you'll probably care far more about how your photographs make you feel than whether they followed the latest wedding photography trend.

Finding your wedding photography style

The right wedding photography style is ultimately the one that feels like you.

If you love natural moments, genuine emotion and photographs that tell the story of your wedding without making the day feel like a photoshoot, a relaxed documentary-inspired approach may be perfect.

If you're planning a wedding in Herefordshire and would like to talk about your photography ideas, Natalie Jolley Photography would love to hear about your plans.

Your wedding day only happens once. Your photographs should make you feel like you're back there every time you look at them.