An understanding of different photography styles and types of wedding photography.
I love both natural and highly directed photography, and my style of wedding photography encompasses a blend of both. Here is a little explanation to help you decide for your wedding photographs, with many couples also choosing to pick and mix their favourite elements…
The different styles of wedding photography
In full credit to photography, what makes it an outstanding medium is how each photographer can interpret, compose and capture an image so uniquely. Different photographers bring different style options and personalities to their work, and you should take great care to select a photographer whose style, service, and personality suit you and what you are after. I am incredibly fortunate to work with the best, funniest, and kindest couples. It’s essential to me to ensure that I’m the right style and fit for you, providing the photography you love. To help, I thought it would be helpful to broadly explain my approach to the three main ‘types’ of photography at weddings and how they shape my style of wedding photography.
DIRECTED PHOTOGRAPHY
AKA: stylised/fashion/dramatic – We make it happen
This is a contemporary take on what was a more traditional practice: portrait sessions with the couple on their wedding day. It can be as simple as a gentle direction to go for a little walk together while I shoot, and it’s about ensuring that all the elements of the image look their best. Deliberate decisions on posing, lighting and background are what create a great directed photograph and are a key element in my style of wedding photography. These shots require a different skill from the more natural images more readily available from photographers.
This direction is usually so gentle, having the pictures taken still feels very natural. My couples often let me know that they appreciate a little direction, especially if we have done a pre-wedding shoot, as they know I can help them look their best, stand in the best light, and get the best final images by providing some guidance. It’s usually hilarious in between the pauses for the shot, so don’t let any serious expressions fool you!
For certain couples who love the WOW shots, I salute you. I think everybody deserves a little self-indulgence now and then, and to have something a bit special. Imagine having that one magical shot to look back on in decades to come, something timeless to pass on. This type of photograph can require an elaborate setup, but don’t worry – you stay in comfort while we do the setup!
NATURAL PHOTOGRAPHY
AKA: documentary/reportage/story-telling – It just happens
This is the art of capturing real moments —the things that happen, the smiles, and the tears. I love how fast-paced a wedding can be, and being in the right place at the right time for each moment is one of the biggest challenges. These are the images that help you remember your wedding day: the people, their relationships, and an accurate record of events. They retell the story of your day for posterity and pleasure.
During informal moments of the day, for me, it’s about reading the scene and placing myself at a vantage point, combining light, composition, and the best view of the people. Sometimes it can feel frantic, especially in the fast-paced moments, such as the end of the ceremony, when all the guests are excited to congratulate the couple. At other times, it’s more about patience and observation. I might use my vantage point to help predict when an anecdote is nearing completion, focusing on the people and capturing the groups falling about laughing as the punchline is revealed.
At other times, it’s all about finding the best angles to capture those critical moments without being intrusive, such as the first kiss as a married couple or the laughter during speeches. I love it when our couples say, “You were everywhere and nowhere” after the wedding day, meaning we were discreet yet captured everything they wanted! It’s a huge buzz to catch that perfect shot at the ideal moment. Natural photography is an honest way to capture your wedding, and I love doing it, even when my couples prefer directed styles; natural photography remains an essential element.
They are less polished, more honest and are more about the moment than the beauty. I love to do both. Most of my couples choose a mixture of styles (to keep me on my toes), some prefer only natural shots, which I love, and it works excellently with festival-style weddings.
GROUP SHOT PHOTOGRAPHY
AKA: Traditional/family/formal – those you love in photos for posterity
Picture with me the idea of group photos at a wedding – the big family groups, the beating sun, the desire to enjoy canapés and drinks with family and friends, and a bossy photographer marching about, taking hours to get the job done – right?
Short answer: No, of course not. I discussed group photos with you at the pre-wedding meeting, and you can choose how many, although I’m happy to help guide you. I take the most important names and will often work with a member of the wedding party on the day itself. The shots are put into the most time-efficient order (prioritising your elderly and less mobile guests) and captured as politely and succinctly (and with as much humour) as possible!
Modern couples sometimes choose to skip the group due to these concerns. It is, of course, up to you. However, I would caution you to have a few, even if it’s to capture the most important people at your wedding. Natural shots are fantastic, but rarely (if ever) does a family group stand pleasingly, showing their faces to the camera naturally; it needs to be brought together. If these record-keeping photographs are essential to you, please feel free to discuss any concerns when you get in touch, and we’ll work it out.
They can be formal or informal, and we usually mix it up a bit.
FUN PHOTOGRAPHY
AKA: quirky: novelty: silly
When my couples ask for ‘fun’ shots, I always show them examples for clarification. One couple’s idea of fun is another couple’s idea of gimmicky. They don’t necessarily align with my style of wedding photography, but I won’t judge. I am there for you! If you want the wonderfully clichéd images of brides being held up by groomsmen or weird and wacky poses, then all the more fun for me! These shots are always a ton of fun (and a little carnage) whilst we try to wrangle people into position, the antics also always generate a lot of natural moments of hilarity around the main shot.
AND NOT FORGETTING…
Detail and establishing shots
The choices that you make, your venue, colours used, and favours, to name a few, are all what ultimately make up your wedding day. These are your choices that you’ve made (hopefully!) together, and these make your wedding your own. These details, again, help to bring back your memories of the day, capture the atmosphere, and, if you’re doing something special, also help generate lots of fabulous natural shots of your guests having fun!
“My style of wedding photography has been nurtured and developed over many years doing different types of photography work; everything has been a lesson, and it is a combination of different elements from these major styles. I choose to view my passion for both natural and directed photography as a strength, as it allows my couples the opportunity to discuss what they are looking for in their photographs. I use all of this to focus my attention and time spent on your wedding day, to take more of the images that you love.”
-Esmé
