Complete Guide To Wedding Photography Styles: Perfect Wedding Photographer

Your wedding day is a story waiting to be told. But how do you want that story to look? Bright and joyful? Moody and dramatic? Classic and timeless? 

The right photography style turns your memories into art. Let’s explore the different styles, so you can find the perfect photographer who gets you. 

Popular Wedding Photography Styles – A Photographers Guide

Think of overall wedding photography styles like ice cream flavours. Some love chocolate (safe but delicious), others prefer chilli (bold and unexpected). Your wedding photographer’s style decides how your special day feels in photos. Do you want fairy-tale romance? Raw, real emotions? Or something artsy and unique? Get to know about wedding photography styles. Let’s break it down. 

Fine Art Wedding Photography

Imagine your wedding photos hanging in a gallery. Fine art photography mixes beauty and creativity. Photographers use soft light, elegant poses, and dreamy backgrounds to make every shot look like a painting. Perfect for couples who want their day to feel like a romantic fairy tale. 

Why choose it?  

If you’ve spent months picking flowers, table settings, and dresses, fine art photography makes those details shine. It’s for planners who love perfection. 

“Want your wedding to look like it’s straight out of a storybook? Let’s create magic together.” 

Documentary Style Wedding Photography 

This style is like a ninja with a camera – quiet, observant, and always in the moment. Documentary photographers capture laughs, tears, and unplanned hugs *without* interrupting. No posing, no fuss. Just real memories. 

Why choose it?  

If you hate fake smiles and want to *feel* your wedding day again when you look at photos, this is for you. 

“Your love story, told candidly. Ready to relive every giggle and happy tear?”

Traditional Wedding Photography 

Classic, timeless, and all about family. Traditional photography focuses on posed shots (like the one with your great-aunt Ethel), couples posed portraits and key moments—the first kiss, and cutting the cake. Photos are all set up by the wedding photographer. Think of it as the “family heirloom” style. 

Why choose it?  

If your grandma’s opinion matters most, traditional photos keep everyone happy. Plus, you’ll get those iconic shots for your mantelpiece. 

“Classic love deserves classic photos. Let’s capture your day, elegantly.” 

Editorial Wedding Photography 

Ever flipped through *Vogue* and thought, “I want my wedding to look like that”? Editorial style is glamorous, bold, and fashion-forward. Expect dramatic angles, striking backdrops, and photos that belong in a magazine. 

Why choose it?

If you’re a bride or groom who loves making a statement, this style turns your wedding into a high-fashion spectacle. 

“Why have ordinary photos when you can have a bridal spread? Let’s make you the cover star.” 

Fine Art Photography

Not just for weddings! Fine art focuses on creativity over reality. Photographers might use blurry edges, unique angles, or soft filters to make images feel poetic. It’s less about capturing moments and more about creating mood. 

Why choose it?  

If you’re a daydreamer who loves art museums, this style turns your wedding into a visual poem. 

“Let’s paint with light and shadows. Your special day, reimagined as art.” 

Dark and Moody

Deep shadows, rich colours, and a touch of drama. Dark and moody photos feel intense and emotional, like a scene from a Gothic novel (but happier!). Perfect for winter weddings or couples who love mystery. 

Why choose it?  

If your vibe is “moody romance” (think candlelit dinners and stormy skies), this style adds depth to your story. 

“Love isn’t always bright—sometimes it’s deliciously dark. Let’s embrace the drama.” 

Dramatic Wedding Photography

Big skies, sweeping landscapes, and bold contrasts. Dramatic photography uses weather, lighting, and grand locations to make your photos epic. Think cliffside vows or stormy beach portraits. 

Why choose it?  

Adventure couples, this is your match. If your love feels larger than life, your photos should too. 

“Why whisper your love when you can shout it? Let’s make Mother Nature your backdrop.” 

Lifestyle Wedding Photography

A mix of posed and candid. Lifestyle photography feel natural but still polished—like that perfect Instagram snap. Photographers guide you into relaxed poses (walking hand-in-hand, whispering jokes) for photos that feel “you”. 

Why choose it?  

If you want photos that look effortless (but secretly took skill to plan), this style is your sweet spot. 

“Let’s keep it real—but make it fabulous. Your love, no filters needed.” 

Photojournalistic Wedding Photography

Similar to documentary style, but with a storytelling twist. Photojournalistic photographers capture events naturally, like your dad’s speech or your best friend’s dance move. The focus? Authentic emotion. 

Why choose it?  

If you want your album to read like a novel, full of laughter and surprises, this style delivers. 

“Your wedding isn’t a pose—it’s a story. Let me tell it truthfully.” 

Traditional Photography Style

A cousin of vintage wedding photography, this style focuses on technical perfection: sharp focus, balanced lighting, and timeless compositions. No trendy filters here—just clean, beautiful images. 

Why choose it?  

If you want photos that’ll look just as good in 50 years, traditional photography is a safe bet. 

“Timeless love deserves timeless photos. Let’s create heirlooms together.” 

Contemporary Wedding Photography

Modern, fresh, and a little quirky. Contemporary photographers experiment with angles, colours, and editing to make your photos feel trendy. Think bright pops of colour or unexpected close-ups. 

Why choose it?  

If you’re a rule-breaker who hates “same old” wedding pics, this style keeps things exciting. 

“Your love isn’t boring—why should your photos be? Let’s get creative.” 

Photojournalism

Pure storytelling. Photojournalism avoids staging entirely, focusing on raw, unfiltered moments. It’s perfect for couples who want their album to feel like a live documentary. 

Why choose it?  

If you want to forget the camera’s even there, this style captures your day as it actually happened. 

“No acting, no pretending. Just you, your love, and my camera. Deal?” 

Black and White Photography

Classic, emotional, and forever stylish. Black and white photos strip away distractions, focusing on feelings, the way you looked at each other, your grandma’s happy tears, your first dance.  

Why choose it?

If you want photos that feel timeless and packed with emotion, black and white never goes out of fashion. 

“Love isn’t just colour – it’s light, shadow, and everything in between. Let’s go monochrome.” 

Destination Wedding Photography

Beaches, mountains, or bustling cities—destination photographers specialise in making far-off locations shine. They’ll capture both your love and the magic of your setting. 

Why choose it?  

If you’re saying “I do” somewhere unforgettable, your photos should celebrate the place as much as your love. 

“Let’s turn your destination wedding into a visual postcard. Adventure included!” 

Aerial Wedding Photography

Drones add a jaw-dropping perspective. Aerial shots capture your entire wedding party, or you two dancing alone on a cliff. It’s grand, romantic, and totally unique. 

Why choose it?  

If your venue is stunning, having an outdoor wedding or you just love a wow factor, aerial photos make your wedding look epic. 

“Why keep your love grounded? Let’s take it to the skies.” 

Candid Wedding Photography Style

Unguarded laughs, stolen kisses, and happy chaos. Candid photos are all about the moments you didn’t know someone was watching. 

Why choose it?  

If you want to remember how your day felt, not just how it looked, candid photography is joy in pixel form. 

“Let’s catch those secret smiles. You focus on fun—I’ll focus on memories.” 

Film Wedding Photography

Film cameras create soft, warm photos with a nostalgic vibe. The colours feel richer, the grain adds texture, and every shot feels like a treasured memory. 

Why choose it?  

If you’re a hopeless romantic who loves vintage charm, film photography is old-school magic. 

“Let’s slow down and savour your day. Film photography makes every shot count.” 

Light and Airy Wedding Photography

Bright, soft, and dreamy. This style uses natural light to create photos that feel fresh and happy—like a sunny spring morning. 

Why choose it?  

If your wedding is all about joy and lightness, this style makes everything glow. 

“Let’s fill your album with sunshine. Your love story deserves to sparkle.” 

So which wedding photo style is most popular?

The most popular wedding photography styles with couples getting married prefer are:

• Editorial
• Documentary
• Traditional
• Fine Art
• Candid
• Photojournalism
• Lifestyle
• Black & White

In my opinion a good experienced wedding photographer will mix of all these wedding photography styles for a balanced mix of wedding day photos. As you have seen from the pictures in the post I explore a selection of assorted wedding photography styles. 

Ready to Find Your Perfect Wedding Photographer?

Your wedding photos are forever. Whether you want timeless elegance, wild adventure, or raw emotion, there’s a style (and a photographer) for you. 

Don’t settle for “just okay”. Let’s chat about your vision, your venue, and your wildest ideas. Together, we’ll create photos you’ll adore—now, and in 50 years.  Your wedding album will stand the test of time. 

Your love story starts here. Call me, and let’s make it unforgettable.

Bipin Dattani

Wedding photographer in Pinner, England

28 Hillview Rd, Pinner HA5 4PA

07930 324833