What Are Your Wedding Photography Style Options?
Before you start researching photographers near you, it’s important to know which style of photography you want for your wedding. Understanding your options will help you make an informed decision. Additionally, I will explain where my style fits within these options. Here are the Wedding Photography styles explained.
First, consider the choice between film and digital photography. Most Leicestershire wedding photographers, including myself, shoot exclusively in digital. Although I enjoy shooting film for personal projects, my film cameras stay at home during weddings.
Documentary Approach
Documentary wedding photography offers an informal approach, providing real documentary coverage of your wedding. If you feel awkward with posed images, this style is perfect for you. A documentary wedding photographer spends most of their time blending into the background and capturing the action as it unfolds. They do not give direction but rely on their keen eye and readiness to “do what it takes to get the shot.”
“This is a style more suited for those who don’t like posing for the camera.”
Classic/Traditional Wedding Photography
Classic or traditional wedding photography is very formal and highly posed, much like the pictures you would see in your parent’s wedding album. In the film days, these were hugely popular. Because film was expensive, photographers would pose couples and guests to get the perfect shots right away. If you want to stick to tradition and prefer staged or directed shots of you and your guests, then a traditional wedding photographer is the right choice for you.
Fine-Art Wedding Photography
Fine-art wedding photography involves using artistic angles, creative lighting, unique compositions, and advanced editing techniques to create images with an artistic flair. This style requires lots of skill, planning, a creative eye, and often a thinking-outside-the-box approach to excel in this type of photography.
Contemporary Wedding Photography
Also known as editorial, fashion, illustrative, creative, or modern wedding photography, this style is inspired by the fashion industry. When executed correctly, it can produce remarkable results. However, to be successful on a wedding day, a photographer needs to be very well-organized and often requires assistance. This style typically involves the use of soft, flattering light. Unlike documentary photography, the editorial style focuses less on capturing the absolute truth of the day and more on creating stunning, fashion-inspired images.
Finally, where do I fit in with all of these…?
Natural Light Photography
Although natural light photography isn’t a style, it’s something I frequently incorporate into my work. Rather than using a camera flash, photographers use available natural light to create warmth and mood. Skill and a good understanding of light are essential to deal positively with shadows and other lighting challenges.
I take a very hands-off approach to wedding photography, except when it comes to family and couple portraits. My style is mainly documentary wedding photography with a dash of fine art. During the day, I am a moment hunter, chasing raw emotions to tell a story as authentically as possible. From the start of the day, I avoid giving a million hints and directions. Instead, I may occasionally ask you to position yourself in an area with better light.
If you are interested in seeing one of my full weddings, please drop me a message. I would be happy to share a gallery or two from one of my recent weddings.
CONTACT me HERE. For more inspiration and updates, visit my Instagram Page.