When you start looking for a wedding photographer, you’ll come across a ton of terms—Light & Airy, Dark & Moody, Documentary, Cinematic, Romantic... the list goes on, but what do they actually mean?
Some of these styles describe how a photographer captures your day—posed, candid, or storytelling. Others describe the way light, color, and editing shape the final look of your photos.
So, which style fits your wedding vision best? Let’s break down some common terms!
Documentary
Documentary wedding photography is all about how the photographer approaches your wedding day. Rather than directing or posing, documentary photographers step back and observe in order to document it all, in real-time, without interference. Some documentary photographers don't direct or pose couples at anytime throughout the day. As an example, one photographer I spoke with will not bustle a dress or pin a boutonniere, even if they know how, in order to faithfully document the day, (Which seems absolutely WILD to me! I can't help but jump in to lend a hand when needed.)
Key Features:
Unposed and spontaneous.
Focuses on emotions and real interactions.
Great for couples who value authenticity over formality.
Best for: Couples who want no direction, elopements, adventure weddings, and those who prefer a natural, unstaged approach.
Editorial Wedding Photography
Editorial wedding photography is all about how the photographer approaches your day with a keen eye for fashion-forward, artistic compositions. This style often draws inspiration from high-fashion magazines and runway photography, focusing on dramatic angles, posing, and styling. The photographer will guide you through posed shots, ensuring every detail—from your dress to the surroundings—looks perfect and magazine-worthy. Editorial photographers tend to focus on creating polished, stunning images that look as though they could belong in a wedding magazine or couture photo shoot. It’s an ideal choice for couples who want their wedding photos to feel chic, sophisticated, and larger-than-life.
Key Features:
Fashion-forward poses with dramatic composition
Polished, magazine-worthy imagery
Focus on details and aesthetics, often with dramatic backdrops
Pro Tip: If you dream of having stunning, vogue inspired portraits on your wedding day, editorial photography will give you those breathtaking, magazine-worthy shots
Timeless
Timeless wedding photography is all about creating images that will stand the test of time—photos that will look just as beautiful today as they will in 30 years. This style avoids trends like over-the-top grain, awkward angles, or desaturated colors. Instead, it focuses on classic, elegant shots that highlight the beauty of your day without heavy editing or trendy filters. Just like how hand-coloring black and white photos was once all the rage and now looks a little… well, vintage (to put it nicely), timeless photography steers clear of trends that might make your photos feel out of place in the future. A timeless photographer focuses on preserving the genuine moments of your day in a way that feels authentic and lasting, free from gimmicks.
Key Features:
Focused on classic portraits, not trends
Carefully composed, well-lit shots
True to life colours
💡 Pro Tip: This style ensures that your photos won’t look outdated in 10 years.
Light & Airy
Light & Airy photography is all about the use of light and how it shapes the feel of the photos. This style relies on soft, natural light to create a bright, dreamy atmosphere. Photographers who specialize in this style often focus on maximizing the use of open spaces and soft, pastel tones that add to the ethereal quality of the images. The editing process is designed to enhance the light in each image, creating an overall sense of freshness, and warmth.
Key Features:
Natural, bright lighting
Pastel tones with a dreamy, ethereal quality
Editing that highlights a warm, glowing ambiance
💡 Pro Tip: This style works best in outdoor settings with lots of natural light.
*photos taken from pinterest
Romantic Wedding Photography
Romantic wedding photography combines how a photographer captures your moments and the lighting and editing they use to highlight the emotions of the day. This style focuses on soft, flattering light and natural posing to create intimate, glowing images. Photographers using this style will gently guide you into romantic poses while also catching candid moments throughout the day.
Key Features:
Soft focus and warm tones.
Gentle, emotion-filled poses.
Ideal for couples who want a dreamy, love-soaked aesthetic.
Dark & Moody
Dark & Moody wedding photography relies heavily on lighting and editing techniques to create a dramatic and cinematic effect. Photographers who work in this style use deep shadows and rich, bold tones to bring emotion to the images. The play between light and dark, known as contrast, is a key element in this approach, with light highlighting certain moments and shadows adding drama and intimacy. This style is perfect for couples who want photos with a bold colours, high contrast and artistic flair.
Key Features:
Strong contrast between light and dark
Deep, rich colors with an emphasis on shadows
Sharply focused images
*photos taken from pinterest
Film-Inspired Wedding Photography
Film-inspired photography is influenced by classic 35mm film stock, such as Fuji 400H and Kodak Portra. These film stocks are known for their soft, muted colors, fine grain, and natural skin tones, which are faithfully replicated in digital form. Photographers who specialize in this style use editing techniques that mirror the look and feel of traditional film, creating warm, nostalgic tones with a gentle, organic grain. The light captured in film-inspired images feels natural and unforced, making this style perfect for couples who appreciate a classic, vintage look with a touch of modern elegance.
Key Features:
Soft grain and organic textures
Muted, warm tones and vintage-inspired color grading
Natural light and subtle color contrasts
Best for: Couples who want timeless, film-like images that feel nostalgic, classic, and full of character.
So, Which Style is Right for You?
Think about:
How do you want to feel when you look back at your wedding photos?
Do you love posed portraits, or do you prefer natural, candid shots?
Are you drawn to bright, dreamy colors or bold, dramatic tones?
The good news? You probably don’t have to choose just one. Many photographers blend styles to match the vibe of your day. (ie. ME!) Some photographers might be cringing, but I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach—because your wedding day isn’t one-note, and your photos shouldn’t be either! I blend a mix of documentary, romantic and editorial styles to capture your day as it naturally unfolds while also giving you those stunning portraits you’ll treasure forever. All while using a film-inspired editing technique to finish it off and give those beautiful skin tones and true to life colouring.
✨ Candid, storytelling moments – I step back during those big moments like a first look, the ceremony and speeches to let real emotions shine, capturing laughter, happy tears, and all the in-between moments that make your day unique.
✨ Romantic, editorial portraits – I guide you through flattering yet natural poses so you feel confident and radiant in front of the camera.
✨ Vibrant, film inspired editing – I love creamy skin tones and keeping colors rich and timeless, so your photos feel as beautiful and authentic decades from now as they do today.
Your wedding photos should feel like you—authentic, romantic, and full of life. If you’re looking for a photographer who captures it all, let’s chat! 📩 Contact me here!
Comments