Wedding Photography Styles Explained

by | May 10, 2022

Finding Your Wedding Photography Style

When you are planning your wedding, one of the most important decisions you will make is who to choose as your wedding photographer in York, ME. This person will be responsible for capturing all the memories of your big day, so it’s important to pick someone who you feel comfortable with and who has a style that matches what you are looking for. In this post, we will discuss the different types of wedding photography styles and help you decide which one is right for you!

Can you guess which one I am?

Wedding Photographer Styles Explained

Traditional / Classic Wedding Photography

Traditional or classic wedding photography is what most people think of when they hear the word “Maine wedding photographer.” This style is characterized by posed photos of the bride, groom, and wedding party, as well as family members. The focus of traditional wedding photography is on formality and capturing all the important details of the day in a structured way.

Traditional wedding photography is still a popular choice for many couples. It is characterized by posed photos of the bride, bridesmaids, groom, and wedding party, as well as family members. The focus of traditional wedding photography is on formality and capturing all the important details of the day. This style can be less spontaneous than some of the other options, but it can produce beautiful and timeless images.

If you are looking for classic, formal photos, traditional wedding photography is a great option. However, if you want to capture more of the natural emotions of your wedding day, you may want to consider one of the other styles.

Maine Wedding Photography

This brings me to the next style – which is…

Fine Art Wedding Photography.

Fine art photography is a more artsy form of traditional photography. Fine art is a type of photography that creates art. People sometimes use it to make canvases to hang on the wall in their house. Fine art wedding photography is all about capturing the feeling of the day and creating beautiful, artistic images. This style is focused on posed photos as well as capturing candid moments as they happen.

fine art wedding photography styles

If you are looking for unique and artistic photos of your wedding day, fine art photography may be a good option for you. However, this style can be less structured than traditional wedding photography, so it may not be the best choice if you want to make sure that all the important details of your wedding are captured.

Some fine art wedding photographers describe their work as “light and airy” or “romantic.” This style is characterized by photos with soft colors and a lot of negative space. The focus is on the emotions of the day and capturing the feeling of the event, as well as some structure to grab the important shots.

If you want your wedding photos to have a romantic feel, fine art photography may be a good option for you.

wedding 1st dance black and white

Photojournalistic Wedding Photography

Photojournalistic Wedding Photography is all about capturing real moments as they happen. This style is perfect for couples who want a documentary-style view of their big day. Photojournalist photographers often work unobtrusively and let the events of the day unfold naturally. This can result in some truly beautiful and emotional photos.

If you are looking for candid, natural photos of your wedding day, photojournalistic photography may be the right choice for you. This style can be more spontaneous than traditional or fine art photography, so it is important to make sure that you are comfortable with your photographer being less involved in the events of the day.

wedding photography

One of the benefits of photojournalistic wedding photography is that it allows you to capture the essence of your wedding day in a more natural way. If you are looking for unscripted, candid photos, this may be the right style for you. However, it is important to note that photojournalistic photographers usually have less control over the final images than traditional or fine art photographers. This means that some of the shots may not be as posed or structured as you may like.

wedding style photographer

Documentary Wedding Photography

Documentary wedding photography is similar to photojournalist wedding photography, but it tends to be even more unobtrusive. This style focuses on capturing real moments as they happen without any posing or staging. If you are looking for an authentic view of your wedding day, documentary wedding photography is a great choice. This style of photography can be very candid and natural, making it perfect for couples who want to remember their wedding day exactly as it happened.

Bride and grooms entrance at the cliff house

If you are interested in documentary wedding photography, be sure to look for a photographer who has experience in this style. Not all photographers are equally skilled at capturing real moments, so it’s important to find someone who knows how to tell a story through their photos.

When you are looking at portfolios, pay attention to the way the photographer has captured moments throughout the day. Look for shots of people laughing, crying, dancing, and enjoying themselves. These are the kinds of moments that will really help you remember your wedding day years from now.

Which Style of Wedding Photography Should you Choose?

It really depends on the kind of photos you are looking for. If you want posed and traditional photos, go for a traditional photographer. If you are looking for something more unique and artistic, consider fine art photography. And if you want your wedding day to be captured in a natural and candid way, photojournalistic or documentary photography may be the right choice for you.

No matter what style you choose, be sure to find a photographer whose work you love and who you feel comfortable with. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so you want to make sure that your photos are perfect. Take the time to find a photographer whose style matches your own, and you’ll be sure to love your wedding photos for years to come.

Don’t forget about those detail shots either – a still life of the bride’s shoes; the wedding gown on its hanger; and end of reception shots when everyone has kicked off their shoes.  Another great way to get some spontaneous party snaps is to share a hashtag with your guests so they can put photos on Instagram that you or your photographer may have missed!

finding your photography style
wedding photography
Wedding photography

How to find the right photographer for your big day

Now that you know what kind of wedding photography style you are looking for, it’s time to start shopping around for photographers. The best way to find a photographer is to ask friends and family for recommendations. If you know someone who has recently gotten married, ask them who they used and if they were happy with the results.

You can also search online for wedding photographers in your area. When you are looking at portfolios, pay attention to the style of the photos and see if they match what you are looking for. Once you have found a few photographers whose work you like, set up consultations to meet with them in person. This will give you a chance to get to know them and see if they would be a good fit for your wedding.

Questions to ask potential photographers

When you are meeting with potential photographers, there are a few key questions that you should ask.

First, find out how long they have been photographing weddings. You want to make sure that you are working with someone who has plenty of experience and knows what they are doing.

It’s also important to ask about the photographer’s shooting style. This will help you make sure that their work matches your own personal style.

Finally, be sure to ask about the photographer’s pricing and packages. You want to make sure that your budget is in line with the photographer’s offerings.

Some questions you should ask include:

– Have they shot many weddings in the style that you are looking for?

– What is their approach to wedding photography? ( journalistic, traditional, fine art)

– How do they feel about taking direction during the wedding?

– What is included in their package pricing?

– Do they have insurance?

– How long will it take them to deliver the final product?

– Are they comfortable working in different lighting conditions?

– Will they be present at the entire wedding or just part of it?

– Do they have a backup plan in case of emergency?

Once you have asked all of these questions, you should have a good idea of which photographer is the right fit for your wedding. Be sure to book early to secure your date and get started on planning your perfect wedding photos!

maine maritime museum wedding bride and groom next to sail boat

Conclusion

Now that you know the type of styles – which one is for you?  Look online for Portland Maine wedding photographers that inspire you.  Are you drawn to artsy, dreamy imagery or high-resolution documentary-style candids? Are formal group shots important to you and your family? Or do you prefer behind-the-scenes coverage (getting ready with your bridesmaids, putting on the dress, a tearful moment with your mom)?

If you are looking for a wedding photographer who matches your unique style, be sure to contact Catherine J. Gross Photography. With years of experience and a portfolio full of beautiful photos, she is sure to capture your big day perfectly. Contact her today for more information!

XOXO,

Catherine Gross

Catherine Gross

Photographer/Videographer

My name is Catherine and I specialize in wedding photography and videography in Maine and the rest of New England. From the rugged New England coast to the scenic interior views of lakes and mountains, I will be there with you every step of the way to capture all the special moments.

Book with MeMy Service Areas in New England

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About Me

Catherine Gross
Photographer/Videographer
Bold, personable, and whimsical are three words that adequately describe the works of art captured behind the lenses of Maine wedding photographer Catherine J. Gross. Every interaction, session, and experience holds an element of uniqueness, as Catherine captures the moment before her with a keen understanding that every moment or person in life is unique and special.

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