Bridal Guide: Photography Styles

Traditional, Classic Portraiture: The main idea behind this timeless style is to produce posed photographs for display in a portrait album. To make sure every detail is perfect, the photographer and assistants not only adjust their equipment, but also the background, the subject’s body alignment and even the attire.

Photojournalism: This informal, reality-based approach is the current rage in wedding photography. Rather than posing your pictures, the photographer follows you and your guests throughout the wedding day, capturing events as they unfold in order to tell the story of your wedding.

Illustrative Photography: This style, which is often used for engagement photos, is a pleasing blend of traditional and photojournalistic, with an emphasis on composition, lighting and background. The photographer places subjects together in an interesting environment and encourages them to relax and interact.

Edgy-Bold: This style of photography is marked by outside-the-box, tilted angles and unconventional framing. So instead of a straight-on shot of the couple exchanging vows at the altar, the photo might look tilted, with an object like an altar arrangement or a candle in the foreground. Or the photo of the bride having her makeup done might be shot from above, with an emphasis on the eye shadow brush rather than on her face.

Natural Light: Rather than using a camera flash, photographers use the natural light found in a setting, usually daylight. The look is warm and natural — yet the photographer must be skilled to deal with shadows and other lighting challenges.

20 Must Have Wedding Day Photos

1. Your Dress
2. Getting Ready
3. Bridal Details
4. The Bridal Bouquet
5. Bridesmaids’ Bouquets
6. Bridal Portrait
7. The Wedding Party
8. The Family Shot
9. Bride in Action
10. The Wedding Party Kids
11. The Aisle Walk
12. Groom at the Altar
13. Special Traditions
14. Ceremony & Reception Décor
15. Your Guests
16. Your Wedding Cake
17. Your First Dance
18. Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dances
19. Listening to Speeches
20. The Exit