WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS?
Key Takeaways!
Documentary/Photojournalistic photography: emotion-driven with minimal photographer intervention
Editorial: Highly curated images with frequent photographer direction
Traditional: Timeless classic, posed and clean
Fine Art: Ethereal and dreamy with creative exploration of angles and lighting
If you’ve been planning a wedding, you’ve probably seen photographers use these phrases: “documentary”, "photojournalist", “editorial”, “traditional”, or “fine art”. But if you don’t know what to look for, these descriptions of photographic work might not mean much. When selecting a wedding photographer, it’s helpful to know these terms not only to understand the style of their photos & editing, but also how they might approach direction and participation on your wedding day. So let’s break those down so you can confidently search for a wedding photographer that will best match your vibe.
Documentary/Photojournalistic Photography
The focus of documentary photography is genuine emotion and capturing the day as it happens. True documentary photography takes a hands-off approach, letting moments unfold naturally. Minimal posing and direction come from the photographer, whose belief is the subject doing what comes natural makes the most interesting image. All this while creating compositionally interesting and well-lit images.
Editorial Photography
Editorial wedding photography looks like it could be in a magazine, and in some cases is featured in a magazine or photographed specifically with that purpose. It is the opposite end of the spectrum to documentary photography. The photographer gives frequent, specific directions for an overall final image, whether that is detailed photos, group portraits, or cake cutting. The wedding day may feel more like a photoshoot than other styles, which can be amazing if you have a strong vision for your wedding photos.
Traditional Photography
These photos stand the test of time. Especially when it comes to group photos, these are classic straightforward groupings that are compositionally balanced and clean. Traditional photos are more posed and curated than documentary photos, but less stylized than editorial photography.
Fine Art Photography
Highly directed like editorial, but with slightly more emphasis on the small moments. Fine art photography is creative, soft, and often film inspired. Film is well-supported by this style of photography, as is a light and airy editing style.
Where do I fit?
Documentary meets Traditional
I do believe every good wedding photographer will have moments utilizing all styles of photography on a wedding day, but my approach and work veer mostly toward documentary and traditional. During getting ready photos, the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception I lean hard into documentary photography. I trust you and your guests to let the day unfold. My role is to witness and capture with little interference. I do not want your wedding day to feel like a photoshoot. I want your wedding to feel like your wedding that I am collecting gorgeous evidence of.
I pivot toward more traditional when it comes to couple or group portraits, I find that a little direction can go a long way. So many couples worry about feeling awkward in front of the camera, and some direction from me can help this so much! My posing is natural, minimal, and timeless, but I won’t leave you hanging, wondering what you should do with your hands!