Junior Rasmussen
Wedding photography is a genre of photography that documents a wedding event. There are various styles of wedding photography, including traditional, editorial, photojournalistic, illustrative, portrait, natural, lifestyle, and fine art. Traditional wedding photography typically involves posed shots of the couple, family, and key moments such as cake cutting and toasting. Editorial wedding photography, on the other hand, is more posed and stylized, resembling a fashion magazine spread. Photojournalistic wedding photography captures candid moments and treats the wedding day as a news story, while illustrative wedding photography blends traditional and photojournalistic styles, emphasizing composition, lighting, and background. Portrait wedding photography focuses on capturing emotional moments before and after the ceremony, while natural wedding photography uses natural light. Lifestyle wedding photography provides direction on posing while still capturing genuine moments. Fine art wedding photography aims for a soft, romantic feel with light and bright imagery. Couples can choose the style that best fits their vision and aesthetic preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Posed shots | Yes, in traditional, editorial, portrait, and illustrative styles |
| Natural shots | Yes, in photojournalistic, documentary, and lifestyle styles |
| Creative control | High in traditional, editorial, portrait, and illustrative styles |
| Photographer interaction | Low in photojournalistic and documentary styles |
| Lighting | Natural in natural style; artificial in traditional style; emphasis on lighting in editorial and illustrative styles |
| Mood | Dark and moody, bright and light, or a mix of both |
| Colour | Black and white in the early 20th century; colour became available later on |
| Equipment | Bulky in the 19th century; compact flashbulb invented later on |
| Commercial | Yes, in bridal fashion photography |
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What You'll Learn
- Traditional/Classic photography: Typically posed, straightforward shots that stand the test of time
- Photojournalistic/Documentary photography: Captures candid, spontaneous moments and raw emotions
- Editorial photography: Creatively compelling, visually driven, and narrative-rich images with a luxury feel
- Dark and moody photography: Dramatic images using shadows, dark editing, and unusual lighting
- Fine art photography: A romantic, delicate style with a soft focus on lighting and posing
Traditional/Classic photography: Typically posed, straightforward shots that stand the test of time
Traditional and classic photography is a wedding photography genre that focuses on capturing posed, straightforward shots that remain timeless. This style is often compared to what our parents or grandparents might have had at their weddings—simple, classic, and posed photographs that stand the test of time.
Traditional wedding photography typically involves more formal and classically posed images, with the photographer guiding and directing the wedding party to ensure all the "key shots" are achieved. These shots usually include group photos of the couple with their entourage and families, cutting the cake, toasting with wine, and the first kiss as a married couple. While these photos may not be highly creative, they are classic and timeless, often remaining stylish even 50 to 60 years later.
This style of photography is a great way to achieve those must-have shots that many couples and their families want to display in their homes. It is also an excellent way for photographers to showcase their ability to direct and pose large groups of people while also capturing the emotion of the day. Traditional photography is a popular choice for family portraits, as it allows the photographer to arrange and control the environment, ensuring everyone looks their best and that the final images are cherished for years to come.
While some photographers may lean towards more creative or candid styles, most incorporate at least some elements of traditional photography into their work. This blend of traditional and modern styles can result in a unique and captivating wedding album that captures the magic of the day while also providing those classic, posed shots that many couples desire.
Traditional wedding photography is a timeless and classic approach that ensures the couple's special day is meticulously documented. It is a structured and posed style, allowing the photographer to guide the wedding party to capture all the crucial moments. This genre of wedding photography is a popular choice for couples seeking a mix of creative and classic shots that will stand the test of time.
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Photojournalistic/Documentary photography: Captures candid, spontaneous moments and raw emotions
Wedding photography is an important stylistic decision for couples, with many different genres and styles to choose from. Photojournalistic or documentary wedding photography is an increasingly popular style, capturing candid, spontaneous moments and raw emotions.
This style is all about documenting the day as it happens, with the photographer adopting a 'fly-on-the-wall' approach, capturing moments as they unfold naturally. It requires an observant eye, patience, and the ability to create a narrative from the day's events. It is a disciplined approach that involves calculated planning and a bit of luck. The photographer must be able to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, capturing the beauty and emotion of the day in an authentic and honest way.
The resulting photographs are often heartfelt and memorable, providing a unique and intimate perspective on the wedding. This style is particularly appealing to couples who want to remember their day as it was, without too much posing or artifice. It is about capturing the couple, their guests, and the venue in a natural state, reflecting reality while also infusing the images with artistic license.
A photojournalistic approach requires a different skill set from more traditional, posed photography. It demands a good understanding of your equipment, the ability to be in the right place at the right time, and a keen eye for a shot. It can be challenging, as there is little control over the events of the day, and the photographer must be able to adapt and react to the unfolding moments.
The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) was founded in 2002 out of a love for authenticity in wedding photography. Their members have a demonstrated talent for candid originality and a dedication to the documentary approach. They promote an ethical and professional standard for this style of photography, connecting couples with artistic photographers from around the world.
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Editorial photography: Creatively compelling, visually driven, and narrative-rich images with a luxury feel
Wedding photography is a broad genre encompassing various styles, and editorial photography is one of them. Editorial wedding photography is for couples who want their special day to be captured like a high-end fashion magazine photoshoot. It is creatively compelling, visually driven, and narrative-rich, with a luxury feel.
Editorial wedding photography is a more technical style, with a focus on lighting and posing. It is a more controlled process than photojournalistic styles, with photographers taking a more hands-on approach. Editorial photographers may give more directives to the couple to capture their day with beautiful lighting and angles. This style is perfect for couples who want their wedding album to look like it belongs in a magazine spread.
The images are creatively compelling, with a strong visual narrative and a luxury feel. Editorial photographers pay attention to lighting setups, fashionable poses, and beautiful backgrounds to create compelling compositions. This style allows photographers to be creative with their posed shots, treating the couple like models for the day. Editorial photography is a great choice for couples who want a mix of classic and creative images, with a focus on artistic direction and high-end aesthetics.
Editorial wedding photography is a unique style that blends the couple's narrative with a luxury aesthetic. It is a popular choice for couples who want a modern twist on traditional wedding photography, infusing artistic expression with a controlled and technical approach. This style is perfect for couples who want to showcase their wedding as a high-end fashion spread, with a focus on beautiful visuals and a compelling narrative.
Editorial photography is a distinct style within the wedding photography genre, offering a creative and visually rich approach to capturing a couple's special day. It is a carefully curated style, with each image thoughtfully composed and crafted, resulting in a luxurious and narrative-driven collection of photographs.
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Dark and moody photography: Dramatic images using shadows, dark editing, and unusual lighting
Wedding photography has evolved into a diverse art form, with couples now seeking a range of styles to capture their special day. One such style that has gained popularity is "Dark and Moody" photography, which creates dramatic images using shadows, dark editing, and unusual lighting.
This style of photography is inspired by the chiaroscuro technique of artists like Da Vinci and Caravaggio, where deep shadows and contrasting lights accentuate the subject. "Dark and Moody" wedding photography similarly employs low-key lighting, often utilising natural light sources such as the golden hour, when the sun is softer and casts longer shadows, or indoor settings with unique textures, candles, and soft, warm lighting.
The key to achieving this style is in the editing. Photographers embrace darker exposures, enhancing warm colours and shadows to create a dramatic, cinematic feel. This style of editing can also lend a sense of nostalgia to the images, making the wedding appear as if it took place in a different era.
To further enhance the "Dark and Moody" aesthetic, couples may consider their attire and venue choices. Light colours or rich jewel tones for the wedding party can make them stand out against darker backgrounds. Venues with dimly lit interiors, such as castles or old villas with chandeliers, or outdoor locations like forests, tunnels, and lanterns, can all add to the mysterious and intimate atmosphere of the photos.
"Dark and Moody" photography is a unique approach that evokes strong emotions and a sense of mystery. It is a style that many couples are now embracing, adding a dramatic and artistic twist to their wedding day memories.
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Fine art photography: A romantic, delicate style with a soft focus on lighting and posing
Wedding photography comes in many styles, including classic and traditional, editorial and photojournalistic, and dark and moody. Fine art wedding photography is a style that focuses on soft, romantic, and delicate imagery, with an emphasis on lighting and posing.
Fine art wedding photography is characterised by its use of soft, natural light, muted colours, and a focus on capturing the emotions of the day and the beauty of the surroundings. It often involves shooting on film or using digital techniques to emulate a classic, painterly feel. Fine art photographers pay attention to detail, capturing close-ups of the dress, shoes, flowers, and rings, as well as the unique moments and emotions of the day.
This style of photography is all about creating a romantic, delicate atmosphere. It is achieved through the use of specific camera settings, lenses, and techniques, such as backlighting, to capture flattering and dynamic photographs. The lighting is a key element, with fine art photographers often placing their subjects with the sun behind them to create soft shadows and a luminous look, avoiding harsh shadows and artificial light sources.
The colour palette of fine art wedding photography is typically soft, muted, and pastel, contributing to the timeless and elegant aesthetic. While some fine art photographers do pose their couples, it is usually done in a gentle, unobtrusive way, providing direction to capture authentic moments of connection and emotion.
Fine art wedding photography is a style that prioritises soft lighting, romantic aesthetics, and authentic moments, resulting in timeless and elegant photographs that narrate the story of the wedding day.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several different styles of wedding photography, including traditional, photojournalistic, editorial, fine art, illustrative, portrait, and lifestyle wedding photography.
Traditional wedding photography involves classic, posed shots, such as group photos of the couple with their families, cutting the cake, toasting with wine, and the first kiss. It offers a timeless approach to wedding photographs.
Photojournalistic wedding photography, also known as documentary-style wedding photography, involves capturing candid moments and spontaneous pictures of people, decor, and action. The photographer lets the moments unfold naturally and aims to capture the raw emotion of the day.
Editorial wedding photography is similar to a fashion magazine photoshoot, with more posed and directed shots. It involves creative lighting and beautiful angles to capture the day with a high-end, luxury feel.
