a brides guide to naming your photography style
how to put a name to the vision
One of the biggest challenges brides face when searching for a wedding photographer? Not knowing how to describe the style they’re drawn to. With so many evolving trends in bridal photography, it can feel overwhelming trying to put a name to what you actually love.
But here’s the thing: understanding your photography style (even just the basics of what you like and don’t) can make the search so much easier. Knowing how to describe the aesthetic you’re after helps you quickly connect with photographers who actually get your vision—and avoid wasting time scrolling through endless galleries that don’t fit your vibe.
To make things as simple as possible, we’re breaking it down into two parts: first, we’ll explore color and editing styles, then we’ll dive into storytelling styles. Choose your favorite from each—and just like that, you’ve named your photography style."
Color & Editing Styles
Let’s start with the most obvious (and most visual) part of photography: how the photos actually look. This comes down to color, tone, and editing style. Here are some of the most common looks you'll see in wedding photography today:
Light & Airy
Photos that are light and airy are soft, romantic, and glowy. The whites tend to be brighter, while greens and colors are often pale and muted. Think day time, morning dew, sunlight, sun-kissed skin, and low contrast.
True to color
True-to-color editing stays close to what your eyes actually saw. It’s clean, accurate, and classic. Whites are white, skin tones look natural without any over saturation or filter, and there’s a timeless quality that won’t feel dated years from now. Perfect if you want to look back on your day exactly as it was.
dark & moody
Moody editing brings out rich shadows, warm tones, and deeper contrast. The vibe is emotional and cinematic—less polished, more raw. Think golden hour on a stormy day, cozy candlelight, or the soft glow of a city at night.
golden
Golden editing leans into soft, sunny tones—especially oranges, yellows, and warm neutrals. Skin has a golden glow, and everything feels cozy, glowing, and sun-drenched. Think golden hour in late summer, earthy backdrops, warmth, and a yellow sunny tint.
film / Vintage
Film-inspired editing is all about subtle color shifts, gentle contrast, and natural textures. Tones are often a bit warm or muted, with soft grain and vignette. It feels nostalgic but with a timeless quality. It feels artistic, organic, and full of mood without being too bright or dark. Perfect if you prefer something truer to color but with more artistic flare.
storytelling approaches
Now that we have an understanding of color and editing styles, we can dive deeper into how these images were taken. Do you want photos that feel completely unposed and in-the-moment? Or something more posed or dramatic? Your storytelling style influences how your gallery will feel—not just how it looks. Here's a breakdown of the most common approaches, so you can find the one that feels like you.
documentary style
This style is all about capturing moments as they happen—raw, unposed, and real. Nothing is overly directed. It’s about connection, emotion, and the little things you might not even notice in the moment but will love looking back on.
Editorial Style
Editorial gets its name from magazines- its what you can imagine flipping through your favorite pages of Vogue. These images are visually striking, more intentional poses, that have clean lines and tend to be crisp and polished.
Traditional Style
Traditional photography is a lot more structured than the other styles. These photos are not candid and focus on the essential shots like family portraits, formals, looking straight at the camera feel. These photos are more posed, clean cut, smiling at the camera type of photos.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle photography blends candid with posed. Best for brides who may not want to commit fully to a documentary style nor something too traditional. These photos are more relaxed than traditional style but less natural than documentary.
now put it together….
Here is an example using my own style. I blend documentary and editorial storytelling, with mostly candid photos, capturing the raw emotion and editorial vibes sprinkled in for important portrait shots. My editing style is vintage! Meaning I do not apply heavy filters for a natural, but dreamy aesthetic. So if you are looking for someone like me, I would search “Documentary/Editorial photographers with a vintage editing style”.
Naming Your Style = Finding the Right Photographer
At the end of the day, your wedding photos should feel like you. Whether you’re drawn to soft, light-filled moments, bold editorial drama, or candid documentary storytelling, knowing your style helps you find a photographer who sees your day the same way you do.
Use this guide to mix and match—pick your favorite editing vibe, pair it with a storytelling style, and you’ve got a clear idea of what to look for.
And if you're looking for a photographer with a candid yet editorial approach paired with a vintage-inspired, dreamy look—you’re in the right place.
