6 wedding photography genres explained how to choose the right one for you

finding your ideal wedding photographer

searching for the perfect wedding photographer? with so many photography styles, from photojournalistic to fine art, it’s hard to know where to start. this guide will break down key styles and genres to help you find the best photographer for your big day.

maybe you’re drawn to particular photographers rather than specific styles, or perhaps you recognize the kind of photos you love when you see them but struggle to find someone who consistently creates that look. maybe you’ve found the perfect photographer, but they’re out of your budget, so you’re looking for a similar aesthetic at a more affordable price.

terms like documentary, photojournalistic, light and airy, editorial, traditional, fine art, and lifestyle might sound familiar, but what do they really mean? in this article, we’ll break these terms into two categories:

• styles – how they edit their photos.
• genres – how a photographer captures a wedding day.

understanding these terms will help narrow down your search and bring you closer to finding the perfect wedding photographer.

wedding photography styles: light & airy, dark & moody, and more

a style refers to how a photographer edits their photos after the wedding. before choosing a photographer, make sure you love their artistic style, not just their pricing or approach.

the best way to do this? look at full wedding galleries, not just highlight reels. this gives you a clearer idea of their editing consistency across different lighting conditions that will occur over the course of a wedding day.

true to color

this editing style focuses on accurately rendering colors, skin tones, and textures as they appeared in real life. edits are subtle and avoid a heavy-handed approach—the goal is authenticity. this method also preserves the atmosphere and environment as they naturally appear.

photos in this style tend to be less dynamic, as it avoids heavy color grading and tools like dehaze or dodging and burning, which are used to create a more dramatic effect. this style is typically associated with a more traditional photographer.

light and airy

this style evokes a light, dreamy, and ethereal aesthetic, aiming to capture romance and emotion. photos are often shot “wide open,” creating a shallow depth of field where everything except the subject is blurred, drawing attention to what’s in focus and enhancing the soft, pleasing feel.

some adjectives that describe this style are pastels, romantic, warm, and soft. it works best for outdoor weddings with plenty of natural light. the editing process smooths and softens skin tones, creating a flattering effect by minimizing imperfections. techniques like increasing exposure and reducing sharpness are used to emulate film, giving this style a timeless, nostalgic quality.

dark and moody

the dark and moody style is all about drama and depth, emphasizing rich contrast and deep shadows. words like rustic, industrial, and cinematic come to mind. this style often features deep blacks and true earth tones, creating a bold, atmospheric look.

perfect for couples who love a strong, artistic aesthetic, this approach enhances textures and colors rather than simply replicating reality. instead, it aims to evoke emotion through the dramatic interplay of shadows and highlights.

warm and golden

this style often works well for sunny outdoor weddings, with white balance shifted toward warm tones, creating a golden, sun-kissed feel. however, this can sometimes affect skin tones, so if you prefer a more natural look, this style may not be the best fit.

it has become less popular in recent years due to its heavy-handed approach to editing. if you’ve seen the “sepia bride” videos on instagram or tiktok, you’ll know that one of the biggest reasons for the bride’s disappointment was that she didn’t realize her photographer specialized in this style—resulting in images with an overall yellow tint. some people love this warm aesthetic, while others don’t, which is why it’s crucial to understand your preferences and how to describe them when choosing a photographer.

wedding photography genres 

now that we’ve covered editing styles, let’s dive into the 6 most popular wedding photography genres. while some photographers blend genres, understanding these categories helps you find a photographer whose approach aligns with your vision.

1. traditional wedding photographer 

these kinds of wedding photographers follow the standard rubric of wedding photography that has been around since the dawn of time—or at least since we started photographing weddings. open your parents’ or grandparents’ wedding album, and you’ll likely see many of the same poses and compositions. think formal and structured.

there is a clear pattern to how the day unfolds, with a heavy focus on posed portraits for the couple and plenty of time dedicated to family photos. this type of photographer provides lots of direction, ensuring the classic poses and compositions that have been seen for generations.

a traditional wedding photographer is a great fit for couples having a traditional wedding ceremony. this often includes a ceremony in a church or synagogue, followed by a classic reception hall—often with tall ceilings, fluted columns, and grand architectural details. this type of photographer is experienced in capturing all the key moments of a traditional celebration.

2. documentary / photojournalistic wedding photographer 

you’re going to start to see a pattern here—the names offer key insight into how these types of photographers operate. a documentary wedding photographer does exactly that, documents the event as it unfolds. they won’t be guiding, setting up, or posing much throughout the day. instead, they stay in the background, capturing candid moments and telling the story of the day and its guests without much interference.

this genre is all about capturing a raw, unscripted wedding. the images are honest and don’t hide or fabricate a story—they capture everything, the good and the imperfect. this approach allows couples to fully immerse themselves in their day, spending very little time on formal portraits or family group shots.

documentary photography is intimate. it highlights the small moments that most might miss and tells the full story of the wedding as a celebration of both the couple and their guests. it can also take some of the pressure off the couple. there’s no need to slip away at the right time for sunset portraits or stress about rounding up family members for long formal sessions. instead, the focus is on preserving the natural energy and emotion of the day.

3. editorial / fashion wedding photographer 

think vogue or celebrity weddings. editorial wedding photographers draw inspiration from high-fashion and luxury magazine spreads, creating images that are polished, glamorous, and meticulously curated. every detail—from lighting to composition to posing—is carefully considered, with an emphasis on creating striking, cinematic images.

this style is highly directed, with the photographer taking a hands-on approach to crafting each shot. expect guidance on posing, intentional use of artificial lighting, and an eye for capturing both grand moments and intricate details, from the bride’s couture gown to the perfectly styled reception table. the goal is to make the wedding album look like a high-end fashion editorial, where every image is a work of art.

editorial wedding photography is often paired with luxury weddings featuring designer dresses, elaborate floral installations, and opulent venues. because of the meticulous planning, specialized equipment, and post-production work involved, this style often comes with a higher price tag.

4. fine-art wedding photographer 

the fine art genre blends multiple artistic influences to create a highly curated and visually striking style. elements of landscape, still life, and conceptual photography all play a role in the approach of a fine art wedding photographer. every frame is carefully composed with a strong emphasis on elegance, beauty, and storytelling.

think unique compositions, soft yet intentional lighting, and an emphasis on artistic vision. fine art wedding photography is less about simply documenting the day and more about creating visually stunning images that feel timeless and painterly. the photographer will often use film or film-inspired digital editing to achieve a light, airy, and organic aesthetic with natural colors and soft highlights.

quality of light is a key component, with fine art photographers often prioritizing natural light and shooting during optimal times of day, such as golden hour, to achieve a luminous, ethereal effect. expect carefully planned shots that highlight not just the couple but also the surrounding environment, intricate details, and the overall atmosphere of the day.

this genre is ideal for couples who appreciate artistry and want wedding photos that feel like they belong in a gallery or coffee table book. because of the level of skill, artistic direction, and post-production involved, fine art wedding photography is often associated with luxury weddings and premium pricing.

5. vintage wedding photographer 

a vintage wedding photographer is someone who embraces the aesthetic and techniques of past eras, often using film or digital edits designed to replicate the timeless look of analog photography. many are hybrid shooters, meaning they shoot both film and digital, blending the best of both mediums to create an organic, nostalgic feel.

expect a mix of warm, muted tones, natural grain, and subtle imperfections that give the images character. black and white photography is often a staple of this genre, enhancing the timeless and documentary-like quality of the work. portraits may have a more serious or contemplative tone, evoking classic imagery from the mid-20th century, with fewer overly posed or exaggerated smiling shots.

vintage wedding photography also tends to prioritize authenticity over perfection. rather than heavily retouched, ultra-polished images, this style embraces natural textures, soft focus, and filmic elements like light leaks and slightly imperfect exposures. the goal is to create wedding images that feel lived-in and real—like something you’d find in an old family photo album rather than a modern, high-gloss wedding magazine.

this genre is perfect for couples who appreciate nostalgia, artistry, and a documentary-style approach that values mood and emotion over staged perfection.

6. counterculture wedding photographer 

what does this one mean? I haven’t heard of this one. well, to me, the word counterculture brings up images of hippies, anti-establishment movements, or at the very least, a rejection of mainstream trends. but what does this mean in the context of wedding photography?

a counterculture wedding is for couples who want something non-traditional—whether that means a full do-it-yourself  celebration, an unconventional location, or a wedding theme that’s entirely unique to them. the common thread among these weddings is authenticity. they are deeply personal, designed to reflect the couple’s personalities rather than conforming to standard wedding norms.

this genre of photography is perfect for couples who reject traditional expectations and embrace creativity in their wedding planning. there is significant overlap with documentary photography in that counterculture wedding photography is less about posed, structured portraits and more about capturing the raw, candid moments of the day.

if you’re planning a grand budapest hotel-themed wedding, an intimate elopement in the desert, or a backyard punk rock ceremony, you fall into this genre. counterculture photographers understand that these weddings don’t follow a traditional structure, so they often take on a more involved role in planning and logistics. rather than simply following a standard shot list, they work closely with couples to ensure their unique vision is captured in a way that feels organic and true to them.

think of this style as totally custom—for couples who want their wedding, and their photos, to be as unique as they are.

if nothing else, I hope this article has helped you become more familiar with the terminology often used in the wedding photography industry. it’s okay if you don’t know exactly what you want—most couples actually prefer a combination of styles and genres. there are no strict rules.

here’s a quick checklist to help you decide:

✅ do you prefer candid or posed photos? (candid = documentary/photojournalistic, posed = traditional/editorial)
✅ do you love light, bright colors or deep, dramatic tones? (light & airy vs. dark & moody)
✅ are you drawn to high-fashion, classic, or artistic compositions? (editorial vs. fine art vs. vintage)
✅ do you want your photographer to guide you or capture the day naturally? (traditional vs. documentary)

final thoughts

understanding wedding photography styles and genres will help you better communicate your vision and choose the right photographer for your big day. if you’re still unsure, remember that most photographers blend styles—so it’s okay to love more than one!

what’s your favorite wedding photography style? comment below or reach out for a free consultation—i’d love to help capture your love story if the counterculture wedding photography fits you best!