How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Photographer
- Emma Blue
- Feb 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 21
If you're planning a wedding chances are you have a vision for what you want your wedding photos to look like! But how do you find a photographer who matches the style you like?
There are so many editing styles, approaches to posing, and trends that change every other year in the photography world. To someone unfamiliar with it, it can seem overwhelming trying to describe what you're looking for. I'm here to give you the inside scoop on all the photography lingo and terms you need when searching for your dream photographer!
EDITING STYLE
Let's start with one of the more obvious traits that catches your eye - editing styles. There are four primary editing styles that you will come across when searching for your wedding photographer.
1) True to color
Let's start off with my style - true to color! My goal is always to keep the colors close to how they looked in the moment. I never want things too bright or too dark.
2) Light and bright
Bringing up the exposure and adding some warmth, the style seen below is often described as light and bright.
3) Dark and moody
4) Sepia
Pulling out oranges, browns and yellows, the style seen below is often described as sepia.
OVERALL VISION
Combined with the editing style is the photographers general approach to his or her wedding day vision. The following terms most directly impact posing.
Editorial
An editorial approach to photography, in my opinion, can best be described as the images you would see on the cover of Vogue. Some of the posing may be intentionally directed with a specific vision in mind and the photos will have a very artistic/dramatic feel to them! While you do not have to be having a "luxury wedding" to have a photographer with this approach, you may notice venues with beautifully designed architecture, extravagant floral displays, and classy details.
Traditional
Traditional photography is probably what you think of when you look at your parents or grandparents wedding photos! It is very simple and straightforward, with the subjects looking at the camera in most shots. Every good photographer will include a traditional photography approach throughout the wedding day, especially during family photos. The emphasis is on posed portraits that are shot straight on.
Documentary
Becoming a new buzz word on the scene, documentary photography focuses heavily on candid moments. This includes both true candids and "coached candids" where the photographer may give you an action (walk away from the camera looking at each other, run to a certain object and back, etc) and then capture the candid emotions within that. Photographers with a documentary approach focus on being a "fly on the wall," visual storytelling, and capturing raw emotions.
TRENDS
In addition to editing and posing styles, there are several trends in recent years that you should ask the photographer you're talking to about. While these are becoming more and more common, you should not assume that every photographer is capable or willing to provide them.
Motion Blur Photos
These trendy photos require very specific camera settings. The photographer you're considering hiring may not know how to operate their camera to achieve this result or it might just not be their preferred style!
Film Photography
Coming back on the scene is film photography. Providing a very nostalgic, grainy look - many couples are requesting the film photography be included in their wedding photography package. However, film photography requires a completely different camera and skill set. In addition to the knowledge and experience you'll be paying for, the cost of film and having the film developed is another factor in the pricing. If you like the appearance of film but don't have the extra room in your budget, consider looking for a photographer who takes a film approach to digital editing! While it won't look identical, many photographers can do things such as add more grain to a photo to give it a comparable nostalgic look.
With all of that that being said, if you are looking for a photographer who edits true to color, leans into a documentary style of photography, loves motion blur photos, and edits digital photos with a filmy touch - I'm your girl!! Click HERE to inquire - I would LOVE to hear from you!
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