How to Choose the Wedding Photography Style You’ll Love

Moody, bright, candid, film, flash – there’s so many different wedding photography styles available today. Wondering what style of wedding photography or editing suits you best? Continue reading for a look at a variety of signature styles perfected by a few of our recommended Triangle wedding photographers.

We gathered these photographers at Haven Farm in Knightdale, North Carolina, for a unique day of capturing content. Model Leanna Norris wears two custom Be Everthine dresses and veils, with hair and makeup by The Bardot, and jewelry from Jewelry Authority. She carries a bouquet by Heritage Flowers.

Each photographer captured Leanna in the same pose to illustrate the nuances of their signature editing styles. Each photographer’s keen and practiced eye draws something a little different!

Moody, Candid Wedding Photography Style by Mark Maya

Durham-based photographer and videographer Mark Maya is known for his unique, moody and emotional style. He’s also built a reputation on his documentary style films and photography, he says. “I use nature to subtley interact with subjects, especially when it comes to lighting and composition,” Mark says. “I also love to use elements of nature to create beautiful depths of field that make my couples’ photos a ton more creative.” If you love this candid, deep and unique photography style, Mark is the photographer for you! And of course, his films feature a similar, moody style.

Q: When it comes to portraits and posing, what cues do you tend to give your brides?

A: “My goal during portraits is to make sure my couples look calm, happy and in love. In order for this to happen, I coach them before our shoot on how to stay relaxed, how to connect with their partner. During our shoot I have dozens of tips and tricks to keep my couples focused on each other and not the camera.”

Bright, Joyful Wedding Photography by Ariel Kaitlin Photography

“I describe my work as bright, colorful and joyful. I always want happiness to emanate from my work,” says wedding photographer Ariel Mason, founder of Ariel Kaitlin Photography. Ariel is known for embracing genuine joy and laughter in her work, and creating a welcoming environment for all couples.

Ariel creates balanced images with her subjects in sharp focus, ensuring that natural backgrounds don’t detract from the emotions of the subject. “From a technical perspective, I achieve this by using even lighting, low depth of field and selecting backgrounds with minimal distracting lines and contrasting colors,” Ariel says. “Ideally, I want to pull my couple away from the background, so they become the clear focus, but the beauty of the natural elements surrounding them will provide a clean backdro pthat enhances the subject rather than distracts.”

Q: When it comes to portraits and posing, what cues do you tend to give your brides?

A: “I tailor my posing and cues to each individual. Some clients respond well to soft guidance with a few prompts or jokes thrown in, while others need exact instructions on where to place their hands and what emotion I want them to evoke. The key is figuring out the balance for each person to create a seamless experience where they feel comfortable and have fun in a situation that is otherwise unusual for them. Overall, I want to create images with natural movement and expressions which requires constantly adjusting my approach based on my clients’ needs.”

True to Life Wedding Photography by Fancy This Photography

True to life photography is best described as images with colors that look authentic or slightly more vibrant. Photographer Amanda Law, a partner photographer with Fancy This Photography, captures beautiful portraits and detail shots in Fancy This’ signature, true to life photography style.

“When I’m shooting out in natural elements and spaces, I love a more shallow depth of field to give that beautiful bokeh [an intentionally blurred background] in the background and isolate my subject in more busy environments. A good overcast or shady day is a beautiful time to shoot, and can give you some really, really gorgeous softly lit shots,” Amanda says.

Timeless, Vibrant Wedding Photography by Danielle Volk Creative

“I really lean in to a vibrant, true to life editing style,” says Danielle Volk. Danielle focuses on capturing images that will stand the test of time. “I really want to [prioritize] photos that are going to stand the test of time when the couple looks back on them in 10 or 15 years, and that they don’t feel like their photos have have fallen into a trend that’s since gone out of style.”

How do you know which photography style is right for you?

Each of the NC wedding photographers featured in this blog have their own unique editing styles, and every moment they capture is unique. Study these images to get a sense for what editing style resonates with you.

We highly recommend requesting full galleries from any photographer you’re inquiring with to get the best feel for their work both indoors and out, as well as detail shots and other elements that would be part of a full wedding day gallery.

Choosing the vendor that will capture every moment of your big day is not a decision you should take lightly. And, there’s so much more than just their editing style that will determine if they’re the right fit for you. Be sure to read our wedding photography guide for a deeper look at all the factors to consider.