Weddings are more than just a celebration; they reflect love, commitment, and a new chapter in life. The photographs from your big day are the lasting memory of those moments; how they are captured can make all the difference. When it comes to wedding photography, there are many different styles, but two of the most popular and often debated are editorial and documentary. So, do you have to choose between the two? In this article, I’ll break down what each style entails, the key differences, and why I believe the wedding day has different parts that benefit from different photographic styles.
What is Editorial Wedding Photography?
Editorial wedding photography takes cues from fashion and editorial shoots, where every detail is carefully curated. Think of it as “posing with purpose” — every shot is meticulously styled to create striking, elegant images.
In editorial photography, the photographer directs you, placing you in beautiful settings, emphasizing perfect lighting, and focusing on every detail to create magazine-worthy photos. These images often take center stage in wedding albums, making you look like you stepped out of the pages of a luxury bridal magazine.
Critical Elements of Editorial Photography
A key feature of editorial wedding photography is the careful direction of the couple. The photographer will guide you through your wedding day, posing you in stunning locations and ensuring that every detail — from your dress to the background — looks just right. These photos have a polished, high-end feel, showcasing the grandeur of your wedding day.
The Role of Lighting and Styling
Lighting is one of the most essential elements of editorial wedding photography. Photographers use controlled lighting to create mood, drama, and depth in their shots. Additionally, the surroundings are often styled to add an extra layer of beauty, enhancing the shots’ elegance.
What is Documentary Wedding Photography?
On the other hand, documentary wedding photography is about capturing the day as it unfolds candidly and authentically. There is no directing or posing—it’s about letting the moments happen naturally and capturing them in the most organic, emotional way possible. The aim is to tell the story of your wedding day without intervention, showing raw emotions, connections, and the unscripted moments that make your day unique.
Critical Elements of Documentary Photography
Documentary wedding photography focuses on telling a story without interference from the photographer. These images are unposed and raw and often include the nervous excitement before the ceremony or the bride’s and her mother’s heartfelt hug. The photographer captures fleeting moments that highlight your wedding’s true essence.
The Role of the Photographer as a Storyteller
In documentary photography, the photographer is more of an observer. They blend into the background, using their camera to document the beautiful moments as they happen naturally. It’s all about telling the authentic story of the day — from laughter and tears to tender glances and joyful celebrations.
Editorial vs. Documentary Wedding Photography: What’s the Difference?
While editorial and documentary styles focus on capturing beautiful moments, they take very different approaches. Understanding these differences can help you decide which style—or combination of styles—suits your vision for your wedding day.
Posed vs. Candid
The most significant difference between these two styles is the approach to posing. Editorial wedding photography focuses on carefully composed shots, with the photographer actively directing the couple to get the best possible image. In contrast, documentary photography embraces candid moments, focusing on capturing the story as it naturally unfolds.
Aesthetic vs. Emotional
Editorial photography is often more aesthetically driven, emphasizing creating visually stunning images. These photos are designed to evoke a sense of beauty and elegance. On the other hand, documentary photography is more about capturing the emotional aspect of the wedding. These natural, unfiltered moments tell a story through raw emotion.
The Different Parts of Your Wedding Day and Why Each Requires a Different Approach
In my experience as a photographer, the wedding day has several distinct parts, each benefiting from a different style and approach. This is why choosing one style over the other is unnecessary. Instead, it’s about balancing editorial and documentary styles to capture the whole essence of your day.
Bridal Preparations: Editorial Photography for Perfectly Styled Moments
The early moments of your wedding day are filled with excitement and anticipation. Whether slipping into your wedding dress or sharing a quiet moment with your bridesmaids, these moments are often filled with beauty and emotion. Editorial wedding photography works beautifully during this time, focusing on the finer details, like how your dress drapes or the light plays off your jewelry.
Why Editorial Works Here:
The pre-ceremony moments are ideal for editorial-style photography because they allow your photographer to direct you in capturing visually stunning and elegant images. From your bridal portraits to shots of your shoes, bouquet, and jewelry, editorial photography allows you to craft magazine-worthy photos that showcase the artistry of your dress, venue, and accessories. These photos are designed to be timeless, showcasing the sophistication and elegance of the bride in a more styled, curated environment.
Ceremony: Documentary Photography for Real Emotion
The ceremony is the heart of your wedding day — when you and your partner exchange vows, make promises, and begin your new life together. This is the part of the day where raw emotions genuinely shine. Tears, laughter, joy, and love unfold before you; these moments are fleeting. Here, documentary wedding photography excels, capturing the emotion of the ceremony without interruption.
Why Documentary Works Here:
During the ceremony, you want to avoid being posed or directed. Instead, you want the photos to reflect the true essence of the moment as it happens. Documentary photography excels at capturing these authentic, unposed moments — the joy on your partner’s face when they first see you walking down the aisle, the tears from your parents during the vows, and the laughter during a funny moment in the ceremony. A documentary approach means your photographer remains in the background, quietly documenting the moment’s magic.
Couple Portraits: A Mix of Editorial and Documentary
After the ceremony, it’s time for couple portraits when you’re officially married and basking in that post-vow glow. This is where you can blend the two styles seamlessly. Editorial photography will capture you and your partner in romantic, intimate poses with carefully selected backdrops and gorgeous lighting. Meanwhile, documentary photography will capture those quiet, tender moments when you share a private laugh, a glance, or a hug.
Why Both Work Here:
The beauty of this part of the day is the opportunity to mix editorial and documentary styles. You’ll want polished, magazine-style images for your album highlighting the day’s elegance. At the same time, candid moments between you and your partner, filled with genuine emotion, will help tell the authentic story of your wedding day. Editorial photography will give you stunning portraits, while documentary moments will reveal the love and connection between you and your spouse.
Bridal Party Photos: Editorial for Fun and Stylish Portraits
Bridal party photos are often lively and fun, with your closest friends and family by your side. These moments offer a chance for creativity and playfulness but still need to be styled for the best visual impact. Editorial photography can work wonders here, as it allows your photographer to direct the group for posed shots that are beautifully composed and showcase your entire bridal party.
Why Editorial Works Here:
While capturing the energy and dynamic of your bridal party is essential, the photos should maintain a sense of cohesion and visual appeal. Whether it’s your bridesmaids adjusting your veil or the groomsmen standing by the groom’s side, editorial-style photography lets your photographer carefully position the group in stunning locations and lighting. This results in fun and visually striking images, with each person looking their best.
Reception: A Blend of Documentary and Editorial
The reception is a lively celebration of your union. It’s filled with laughter, dancing, speeches, and more. This is where you can see the balance between documentary and editorial photography shine. Some moments, like the first dance, cake cutting, or grand entrance, are perfect for editorial shots — carefully composed and capturing the details of your dress, venue, and decor. Meanwhile, the spontaneous moments of the evening — guests laughing, children dancing, or your parents giving a heartfelt toast — are perfect for documentary photography, capturing the energy and emotion of the celebration.
Why Both Work Here:
You’ll want a photographer who can seamlessly switch between styles at the reception. While the editorial approach focuses on creating polished images, the documentary style will capture the candid and joyful moments that make the celebration unique. A photographer who understands how to balance both styles will help you get the best of both worlds, showcasing the elegance and fun of your wedding reception.
Post-Wedding: Editorial for Creative Shots
After the festivities, many couples do a post-wedding shoot or a “day after” session. This can be an excellent opportunity to take editorial-style photos at a new location or in a more relaxed but still beautiful setting. You may want to capture more artistic shots, like a dramatic sunset portrait, a creative shot in your wedding attire, or a significant location for you and your partner.
Why Editorial Works Here:
This is your opportunity to get those “picture-perfect” shots that may not have been possible on the wedding day. With fewer time constraints and no rush, you can focus on getting the best possible images. Editorial photography allows your photographer to experiment with creative angles, lighting, and compositions to create stunning, dramatic shots you’ll treasure forever.
The Ultimate Wedding Photography Approach: A Blend of Styles
While each part of your wedding day has unique needs, the key takeaway is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. A wedding day is filled with different moods, emotions, and visual elements, and to truly capture the whole story, you need a mix of editorial and documentary wedding photography.
A skilled photographer understands the nuances of each moment and can transition between the two styles smoothly. Editorial photography enhances the more stylized, polished moments. In contrast, documentary photography captures the raw, emotional moments that make your wedding day meaningful. By incorporating both styles, you’re ensuring that every part of your wedding day is represented — from the elegant details to the unscripted moments of joy and laughter.
By choosing a photographer who can balance both editorial and documentary styles, you’re allowing your wedding day to be captured in its full beauty, emotion, and authenticity. With the right approach, your wedding album will be a timeless and complete reflection of your love story.
Can You Combine Both Styles in Your Wedding Photography?
You may wonder if having the best of both worlds is possible. The good news is, yes! Many couples now opt for a hybrid approach to their wedding photography, blending editorial and documentary styles to capture all facets of their wedding day.
How Editorial and Documentary Styles Work Together
While editorial photography captures your wedding’s most elegant moments, documentary photography will capture the natural, intimate emotions. The beauty of combining these two styles is that they complement each other perfectly. You can have those perfect portrait shots that show off your wedding dress and venue and candid shots that reveal the emotional connections and unforgettable moments you’ll cherish forever.
Choosing When to Use Each Style
Knowing when to use each style is critical to a successful hybrid approach. Editorial photography is ideal for portrait sessions, bridal party photos, and any moments you want your wedding album to look polished and sophisticated. On the other hand, documentary photography shines during the ceremony, speeches, and first dance, where emotions run high and the moments are real and raw.
Finding the Right Photographer for Your Wedding Style
Not all photographers are equally skilled in editorial and documentary wedding photography. If you want a blend of both styles, finding a photographer with experience in both fields is essential.
Looking for a Photographer with Dual Expertise
When searching for your photographer, look for one specializing in editorial and documentary styles. Ask potential photographers how they balance the two styles in their work and whether they have experience blending both to create a cohesive story of your wedding day.
Questions to Ask Your Photographer
Here are a few questions you might want to ask:
- “How do you incorporate editorial and documentary styles into your wedding photography?”
- “Can you provide examples of a wedding where you’ve used both styles?”
- “What’s your approach to capturing candid moments without interrupting the natural flow of the day?”
Brides magazine offers excellent advice on how different photography styles can be applied to your wedding, helping you understand what to expect and how to achieve the look you want.
Why Editorial and Documentary Wedding Photography are Both Important
Both editorial and documentary styles serve unique purposes, and together, they can create a beautiful and comprehensive representation of your wedding day.
Telling the Full Story of Your Wedding Day
Editorial photography captures the wedding day’s elegance, beauty, and grandeur. In contrast, documentary photography captures raw emotion and unique moments. Together, they offer a well-rounded representation of your wedding day, from the first look to the final dance.
The Lasting Impact of Both Styles
By incorporating both styles into your wedding photography, you’re ensuring that your photos will be beautiful, evoke emotions, and tell the true story of your day for years to come.
How to Choose the Right Style for Your Wedding
So, how do you know which style suits your wedding day? The key is understanding what your photos say and how you want them to feel.
What’s Your Vision?
Editorial photography is ideal if your dream wedding involves perfectly styled, iconic photos. However, documentary photography is the way to go if you want your photos to be more emotional and authentic. Mixing both can give you a comprehensive view of your wedding day.
The Balance
For many couples, a mix of both styles works perfectly. Editorial photos capture stunning portraits and intricate details, while documentary shots freeze candid moments that tell the true story of your love.
Vogue’s wedding photography tips provide excellent insight into achieving this balance for your wedding album.
The Future of Wedding Photography: Trends and Innovations
Wedding photography is constantly evolving. Photographers can now seamlessly combine editorial and documentary styles thanks to technological advances and photography techniques.
Technological Advancements in Photography
With the rise of digital cameras and the continued popularity of film photography (such as the Contax 645 and Kodak Portra 35mm film), photographers now have even more tools to deliver a combination of stunning editorial shots and heartfelt documentary images.
New Approaches to Storytelling in Wedding Photography
The future of wedding photography is all about telling a story. As couples continue to seek personalized wedding experiences, photographers are getting more creative with blending different styles, ensuring that every wedding album tells a unique and beautiful story.
Harper’s Bazaar provides some great tips on how to choose the right photographer to ensure that every aspect of your day—whether during the wedding or after—is captured perfectly.
Conclusion: Balancing Editorial and Documentary Wedding Photography
Wedding photography is an art, and both editorial and documentary styles have a place in telling the story of your day. The key is recognizing that your wedding day has different moments — from the meticulously styled portraits to the candid emotional moments — and each requires a unique approach. By blending both editorial and documentary styles, you ensure that your wedding album is a comprehensive and beautiful reflection of your day, capturing both the elegance and the emotions that make
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