5 Wedding Photo Styles Explained: Which One Fits Your Personality?
Your wedding photos will be one of the most important keepsakes from your big day. But before you hire a photographer, it’s essential to know that wedding photography isn’t “one style fits all”—each approach has its own mood, editing techniques, and way of telling your story.
In this guide, we’ll break down five popular wedding photography styles so you can choose the one that fits your personality and vision.
1. Classic / Traditional Wedding Photography
Perfect for: Couples who love timeless elegance.
This style focuses on posed portraits and well-composed shots. Your photographer will guide you on where to stand, how to pose, and ensure everyone looks their best. Think formal family portraits, a perfectly framed kiss, and a classic “just married” shot.
Pros:
Timeless and never goes out of style.
Perfect for printing and framing.
Cons:
Less spontaneous; not ideal for couples who prefer candid moments.
2. Photojournalistic / Documentary Wedding Photography
Perfect for: Couples who want to relive the day exactly as it happened.
This style captures the real, unposed moments of your wedding day. From the tears during your vows to the laughter on the dance floor, nothing is staged—your photographer simply observes and documents.
Pros:
Natural and full of emotion.
Every image tells a story.
Cons:
May not include as many posed family portraits.
3. Fine Art Wedding Photography
Perfect for: Couples who love dreamy, magazine-worthy images.
Fine art photography blends creativity with beauty. Your photographer will use carefully planned compositions, artistic lighting, and film-like editing to create soft, romantic, and elegant images.
Pros:
Highly creative and visually stunning.
Looks like artwork for your walls.
Cons:
May require more setup time for each shot.
4. Editorial Wedding Photography
Perfect for: Couples who want a fashion-inspired wedding album.
This style is inspired by high-end fashion magazines. Your photographer will use bold compositions, dramatic lighting, and striking poses to make you feel like the star of your own wedding spread.
Pros:
Modern, chic, and glamorous.
Great for couples who love fashion.
Cons:
Can feel more posed than natural.
5. Adventure / Destination Wedding Photography
Perfect for: Couples who love travel, nature, and unique locations.
This style captures not only your wedding day but also the scenery and experience around it. Whether you’re exchanging vows on a beach, in the mountains, or at a hidden waterfall, the focus is on epic landscapes and candid love.
Pros:
Perfect for nature lovers.
Tells the story of your location as well as your wedding.
Cons:
Weather and travel logistics can be challenging.
How to Choose the Right Style for You
Think about your personality – Are you romantic and dreamy, or bold and fashion-forward?
Look at full galleries, not just highlight reels – This gives you a real sense of the style.
Talk to your photographer – A great photographer can blend styles to suit your needs.
Final Tip: The best wedding photography style is the one that feels most like you. Whether that’s a fairy-tale fine art approach, raw documentary storytelling, or a mix of styles, choose the one that will make you smile every time you look at your album.