Wedding Photography Styles à la Carte
A Practical Guide How to Choose the Right Wedding Photographer for Your Style.
A Decade in Editorials, A Decade in Film
In my ten years as a photo editor, one of my most crucial tasks was choosing the right photographer for every assignment. Later, as a film director, this skill extended to cinematographers. Each choice was about more than technical expertise; it was about finding someone who could tell the right story—whether for a glossy magazine or a commercial film.
After immigrating to America, I began working as a photographer. Weddings fascinated me—they were storytelling at its purest, filled with raw emotion, beauty, and meaning. But I noticed the abundance of terms here: candid, cinematic, documentary, editoria etcl. While they sound exciting, they often create confusion. Here’s a breakdown of what they mean—and what actually matters when choosing a photographer.
The Fancy Words Demystified
1. Candid Photography ( Or Lifestyle Photography)
A fancy word for kind reportage. This style captures real, unposed moments—the laughter, glances, and fleeting emotions that define your day. A good candid photographer blends into the background, capturing the magic without intrusion.
2. Documentary Photography ( Or Photojournalism )
This style focuses on telling the story as it unfolds, often with a raw, “fly on the wall” approach. It’s about showing life exactly as it happened, without embellishment.
3. Editorial Photography ( Fashion Photography or Fine Art Photography)
If you dream of magazine-style-spread images, this is for you. True editorial photography involves careful planning—stylists, storyboards, and artistic direction. For your wedding, it means dedicating time and trusting your photographer to choose the right light, location, and mood for your portraits.
4. Cinematic Photography ( Film, or Vintage, Or Moody photography)
Borrowed from filmmaking, this term refers to images that feel dramatic or like a movie still. But cinema spans genres—light and bright romantic comedies, dark dramas—so it’s important to clarify what “cinematic” means to your photographer.
5. Traditional American Photography
This style refers to photographers who embrace the classic American portrait approach—bright, clean, and true to color. These photographers are experts in understanding the flow of traditional American weddings, ensuring that all the key moments and customs are captured with precision. Their focus is on delivering the essential elements of your day, from formal portraits to family gatherings, ensuring that everything unfolds as expected.
The Two True Genres of Photography
Ultimately, photography boils down to two genres:
1. Staged Photography: Where the photographer controls every detail—poses, lighting, and framing.
2. Reportage Photography: Where the moments unfold naturally, and the photographer captures them in real time.
All weddings are fundamentally reportage. The day moves fast, emotions are raw, and moments can’t be recreated. If you want “editorial” or “cinematic” shots, carve out time for portraits and give your photographer creative freedom.
How to Choose the Right Photographer
Finding the right photographer isn’t about choosing the ‘best’—it’s about finding someone whose style and personality resonate with you. Trust your instincts, and know that the right photographer will make you feel seen, comfortable, and celebrated.
1. Think Beyond the Buzzwords
If you want candid or documentary images, choose someone who takes the time to know your story. Share details about the key people, moments, and dynamics that matter most to you. A good photographer doesn’t just photograph events; they document relationships and emotions.
2. If You Want Cinematic Style
If you’re drawn to a cinematic style for your wedding photos, it’s essential to find out if your photographer has a background in filmmaking. A filmmaker’s eye for composition, light, and mood can elevate the cinematic feel. Even if they don’t have film experience, ask them about the movies they love. Understanding their inspiration can help you ensure that you both have the same vision of what “cinematic” means. The right photographer will translate the magic of film into your photos in a way that feels both dramatic and personal.
3. Plan for “Editorial” Portraits
Editorial or fashion photography requires more than a pose—it needs light, space, and time. If you want portraits that feel cinematic or straight out of a magazine, give your photographer the freedom to choose the location, light, and mood. Editorial magic doesn’t happen in five minutes in a random spot.
4. Look Closely at the Portfolio
• Do the people look kind, comfortable, and natural?
• Are skin tones flattering?
• Do the images feel alive and genuine?
• Can you imagine yourself in those photos?
5. Don’t Limit Yourself to Wedding Photographers
If you want artful documentary photography, consider hiring a street photographer, a reportage photographer, or even a photojournalist. A fashion photographer will capture beautiful editorial-style portraits, while a fine art photographer could create unexpected, poetic details. If you love the candid approach, find someone with a kind, approachable personality. Wedding photographers are wonderful, but other genres can bring fresh perspectives to your day.
6. Set Up a Connection
Before booking, meet your photographer in person or over a Zoom call. A wedding day is intimate, and you’ll spend most of it with your photographer. Make sure you connect.
Are they kind, approachable, and genuinely interested in your story?
Don’t be afraid to say no. Some photographers use pushy marketing tactics like “you must book within 24 hours, or your date is gone.” If someone pressures you, trust your instincts—and look elsewhere. There are so many talented photographers out there.
7. Traditions at Your Wedding
If your wedding embraces specific cultural traditions, it’s important to find a photographer who is not only willing but curious to understand and respect them. In my husband’s Dagestani family, for example, we hire a videographer before a photographer. The videographer captures hours of footage, which is replayed at family gatherings for years, preserving every meaningful moment. For us, portraits that honor our heritage and fill our walls are the priority. Choose a photographer who values your unique cultural celebrations and approaches your day with respect and care.
8. Be on the Same Page
Review your day with the photographer and create a personalized schedule. Identify key moments to capture, like official portraits for family or important documenting shots and traditions throughout the day. Clear communication ensures nothing important is missed.
9. Be Careful with Trends
Wedding photography trends come and go, but your photos will last a lifetime. What feels exciting now may not look the same in ten years. For example, a neon green or orange tone might be cool today but could leave you regretting your choice later. Make sure the style you choose is timeless, classic, and something you’ll still love in years to come.
Misha’s Story: The Kind Drunk and the Furious Wife
In my editorial days, we worked with Misha, a reportage photographer who had a rare gift: his photos captured people at their kindest, with a magic that felt effortless. But Misha had a flaw—he loved to drink.
I remember one day when Misha recounted his wife giving birth to their third child at home. He prepared his camera, ready to document the moment. But just as labor began, a neighbor called him. Misha shrugged and admitted, “I went for a couple of minutes… and missed the whole birth.”
I asked, “Did you drink?”
“Maybe a little,” he replied with a sheepish smile.
Despite this, Misha was beloved by our editorial team. One male editor always insisted on taking Misha for joint assignments. Their trips produced incredible work—but also legendary drinking stories.
One day, the editor’s wife called me, furious. “If you ever send my husband on another trip with Misha, I’ll send you somewhere else!” she joked, but the message was clear.
We never stopped hiring Misha. His warmth, humor, and talent were irreplaceable. However, I also worked with another photographer—technically perfect, reliable, loved by most of the Russian celebrities, but overbooked. He’d take two shoots in one day, always rushing and distracted. He was never available for the pre production meetings. Eventually, I stopped hiring him.
Dedication and kindness matter more than perfection. A great photographer connects with your story and gives it their full attention.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding photographer does more than take pictures; they tell the story of your day. It’s not just about capturing beautiful moments but understanding your story—your relationships, traditions, and the quiet, fleeting glances that make the day yours.
Don’t feel pressured by pushy marketing or overwhelmed by choices. There are countless talented photographers to choose from, and the right one will make you feel both seen and celebrated.
Take your time. Ask questions. Trust your instincts. A great photographer doesn’t just bring skill—they bring heart, creativity, and the ability to turn your wedding into a timeless story.
