Capturing the romance, joy, and fun of your wedding day in beautiful photos is a top priority for most engaged couples. With so many photographic genres and styles to consider – from classic portraiture to innovative fine art – it can be overwhelming to decide what look you want for your wedding album.
Traditional
When you imagine a wedding photo, you likely think of the classic posed shots: the wedding party lined up, the couple holding hands at the altar, family portraits outside the church. This traditional style prioritizes getting those must-have shots to document the day. While traditional wedding photos can definitely feel a bit stale nowadays, they still have a place for couples who want to walk away with all the formal photos their parents expect.
A skilled photographer can breathe new life into tired poses, helping you look natural and relaxed even while standing still. They will expertly arrange large groups, coordinate complicated family photos, and choose flattering angles for portraits. Traditional wedding photography requires organizational skills and experience to efficiently capture all the necessary shots while maintaining a calm, positive mood. Couples will appreciate having these formal portraits to send as thank-you cards and display in their homes for decades to come.
Photojournalistic
This reportage style of wedding photography focuses on candid, documentary-style shots rather than posed portraits. Instead of asking people to say cheese, photojournalistic photographers blend into the action, capturing emotional moments as they unfold naturally. These images have a lively, narrative feel that transports you back to the actual sensations of the big day.
Photojournalistic wedding photography requires patience and an eye for important moments, but the reward is images packed with authenticity and energy. If you want your photos to tell the unique story of your wedding day, this style is for you. Skilled photojournalists have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. They anticipate key events like the couple’s first look, sneaking glances across the ceremony room, or impromptu family interactions.
Composition and technical skills allow the photographer to capture these fleeting moments flawlessly. Images are unposed and unfiltered, offering an intimate glimpse into your authentic wedding experience. Works of top NYC wedding photographers evoke nostalgia for the actual feeling of your wedding celebrations. The images transcend documentation to pull you back into the emotion of your special day. While you still get beautifully framed portraits, the focus is on weaving a visual narrative that conveys the unique details, thrills, and sensations that made your wedding meaningful.
Fine Art
Fine art wedding photography elevates traditional wedding portraits to artistic style. With techniques like dramatic lighting, creative compositions, interesting locations, and advanced editing, fine art wedding photographers produce highly stylized images. Fine art wedding albums feel almost like fashion editorials, with romance and glamor heightened.
This cinematic style typically involves conceptual sessions months before the wedding, allowing time for elaborate planning and styling. Couples can change outfits in creative scenes that tell their love story. The photographer takes on a director role, guiding poses and placements to craft each image. Fine art wedding photos have an editorial, larger-than-life quality perfect for display. This style works best for couples who want their photos to feel like timeless works of art.
The striking imagery comes at a price though—expect to invest in a top photographer with years of experience and sophisticated gear to get these museum-quality wedding photos. The rewards are heirloom-quality portraits showcasing your elegance and relationship in an imaginative, elevated way. Finding a photographer whose aesthetic matches your vision doesn’t have to be hard though. On platforms like Wezoree, you can easily browse photographer profiles and sample images to discover the perfect match for your style.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle wedding photography is all about keeping things casual, fun, and natural. This approach aims to capture the authentic spirit and emotions of your big day as you relax into married life with friends and family.
Some key characteristics that define the lifestyle wedding photography style:
- An emphasis on spontaneous, unplanned moments – think heartfelt hugs, fits of laughter, stolen glances between the couple. The photographer is there to document interactions as they naturally unfold.
- A focus on real connections and relationships – between newlyweds, with their loved ones, and among guests. The camera tells the story of these bonds.
- Capturing the sensory details – venue decor, tablescapes, food, drinks – that made the wedding unique.
- A joyful, laidback vibe shines through rather than stiff, forced posing. Smiles and tears come naturally.
- Playful use of interesting angles, framing, and processing to showcase the celebratory mood. Lots of movement and energy.
- Portraits are blended seamlessly with documentary-style images.
Lifestyle wedding photos have an intimate, relaxed feel that suits easygoing couples. Your album becomes a reflection of you two and this community you’ve brought together on your first day as spouses. A visual treasury of love, connection, and all the little moments that made your celebration one-of-a-kind.
Conclusion
Wedding photography styles range from classic portraiture to innovative fine art. Consider what mood you want your photos to convey, then select a photographer whose portfolio reflects that aesthetic. Most importantly, choose someone who puts you at ease so your personality and joy shine through in every image. With thoughtful planning (Say I do could help) and a talented photographer, you’re sure to have wedding photos you’ll proudly display and cherish forever, regardless of genre or style.
