Feeling overwhelmed and confused by all the options? Light & Airy...Dark & Moody...True to Color...Timeless...Documentary.... Editorial...What does it all mean, and how do you know what style is right for your wedding?
Your wedding photos will be one of the most cherished keepsakes from your big day, so choosing a photography style that resonates with you is essential. With so many styles and approaches to consider, the process can feel overwhelming. This guide will break down some of the most popular wedding photography styles, highlighting their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Popular Wedding Editing Styles
LIGHT AND AIRY
This style is soft, ethereal, and full of light, often featuring pastel tones and an overall dreamy appearance.
Pros:
Works well for outdoor, daytime weddings, especially on sunny days.
Adds a sense of whimsy and elegance.
Timeless and widely loved.
Great for pastel color palettes.
Reduces the visibility of shadows and imperfections in the face/skin.
Cons:
May not work as well well in overcast weather or dimly lit venues.
Details can get washed out.
Sky may not look colorful.
Skin can look unnaturally pale.
DARK AND MOODY
This style features rich tones, dramatic shadows, and deep contrasts.
Pros:
Evokes emotion and drama.
Great for couples who love an artistic, emotive vibe.
Works well for overcast days, golden hour, and in indoor or evening settings.
Cons:
May not suit bright, cheerful outdoor weddings.
Is often not flattering, as shadows on the face are more prominent, and wrinkles more noticeable.
Skin tones can sometimes look orange or even green toned and unnatural.
May not accurately represent your surroundings or your color palette, as colors may change (grass looks brown, pink looks peach, sky looks dull).
TIMELESS/TRUE TO COLOR
This editing style preserves colors as they appear in real life, with natural tones and minimal "filters".
Pros:
Ensures longevity; photos won’t feel dated as trends change.
Reflects the true ambiance of your wedding, accurately reflecting the color choices you've made.
Can be customized to tastefully lean towards a lighter/brighter aesthetic or a darker/moodier/more dramatic aesthetic.
Produces more accurate, flattering skin tones for any skin color or age group.
Great for couples who want authenticity.
Cons:
May lack the trendy factor
If not done well, can feel lackluster
A lack of skill or sub-par gear can't be covered up or distracted from with a heavy filter
Requires greater attention to detail in the editing process
Popular Wedding Shooting Styles
EDITORIAL
Focused on creating polished, magazine-worthy images, editorial photography involves guided posing and requires a more active role for the photographer.
Pros:
Perfect for couples who want glamorous, fashion-forward shots.
Highlights details like dress, decor, and venue.
Offers a curated, polished aesthetic.
Helps to ensure flattering angles and poses.
Cons:
Requires more time and direction during the day.
May feel less spontaneous or natural.
DOCUMENTARY
Also known as photojournalistic, this style captures candid moments as they happen without interference from the photographer.
Pros:
Tells the story of your day authentically.
Captures real emotions and interactions.
Great for couples who want minimal posing.
Cons:
Requires trust in the photographer to capture key moments.
May result in fewer posed or traditional portraits.
Photographer has less control over angles, which can be hard for those with insecurities
A strictly candid approach may fall short for those who tend to default to serious expressions, or who are more reserved/ not very emotive.
Lighting Styles
NATURAL LIGHT
This style relies solely on ambient light, such as sunlight or window light for soft, natural images.
Pros:
Beautiful for outdoor ceremonies, light filled interiors, and golden hour portraits.
Feels organic and effortless.
No bulky equipment to manage.
Cons:
Limited by weather and time of day.
May struggle in low-light indoor settings.
Can be nearly impossible in nighttime outdoor settings.
"Dirty light" can be an issue. This occurs when there is natural window light mixed with artificial light (particularly overhead lighting), and can make the tones look muddy and unnatural.
OFF-CAMERA LIGHTING
This style uses professional lighting setups to achieve a polished, cinematic look. Often used primarily for receptions.
Pros:
Ideal for evening receptions, helpful in dimly lit venues.
Adds drama and sophistication to portraits and dance floor shots.
Offers more control over lighting conditions and ensures consistently well-lit images.
Prevents unintentionally blurry or grainy images.
Flattering for faces and skin tones.
Cons:
Requires time and setup for the equipment.
Good lighting is a big investment, so lower budget photographers may not use it.
Often intimidating to learn, so less experienced photographers may avoid it.
May feel less natural for couples who prefer an organic look.
DIRECT FLASH
Often associated with a modern, party-like vibe, direct flash is bold and fun, with a celebrity-inspired aesthetic.
Pros:
Great for creating a high-energy reception vibe.
Captures dynamic, trendy images.
Adds an editorial edge to dance floor shots.
Requires far less skill than off camera lighting, and therefore can be more accessible for less experienced photographers who may charge less.
Cons:
Can feel harsh or unflattering if overused.
Can look "cheap" if not used in a luxury setting with celebrity-like subjects.
Not ideal for romantic or soft settings.
Cheapens detail and decor shots with an amatuer look, except in very specific circumstances.
Making an Informed Decision
When choosing a style, start by considering the atmosphere of your wedding. Are you drawn to a romantic garden vibe, or do you want an edgy, urban celebration? Then, think about how you want to feel when looking at your photos in the years to come. A consultation with your photographer can help you explore what combination of styles will best complement your vision and priorities.
Here's where you get let in on a little industry secret: There are wedding photographers who offer a higher level of customization than is commonly believed. Labeling oneself, or choosing a niche to lean into is mostly a useful branding technique for photographers, meeting the need to establish a clear brand identity to distinguish themselves from others. It also serves to attract clients who prefer the style and approach that the photographer most enjoys. A strong style identity can also have a big impact on how much time a photographer has to invest in editing (for example, it saves dozens of hours to batch edit with a preset or filter). A niche approach can help a photographer with their comfort level on the day of the wedding, as well (for example, someone who is less skilled with giving direction can benefit from describing themselves as a documentary photographer).
Ideally, a skilled and experienced wedding photographer is capable of utilizing all of these styles and approaches. While no one wants a gallery of images that is all over the place or inconsistent, it's important to have a photographer who can appropriately use a variety of techniques to meet any challenge presented on a wedding day, If your photographer has both an amazing eye for candids, and the ability to help you have fun and relax while utilizing their expert direction/posing skills, then you minimize the downfalls of each approach while enjoying the benefits of both! You can request that more emphasis be placed on candids and limit your portrait time so that you can enjoy cocktail hour. Or, you can make sure to build extra portrait time into your timeline if you'd like a greater emphasis on editorial style. You can have first dance and decor photos that are gorgeously lit, while incorporating a trendy, party-vibe direct flash look on the open dance floor.
At Tara Tomlinson Photography, we specialize in blending multiple styles and approaches to create our signature timeless look, and a collection of images that’s uniquely you. We’ll work with you to craft a cohesive and stunning gallery that reflects you and your wedding day perfectly.
