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Stop saying you want ‘candid’ wedding photos—What the wedding photo styles really mean
- Gracie Ryan
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
When you start searching for a wedding photographer, the lingo can get... confusing. Candid, editorial, documentary, photojournalistic—what do they actually mean? And more importantly, which one fits your vibe?
Here’s a breakdown of the most common styles:
The vibe: Unposed, real, in-the-moment
What it looks like: Laughter mid-sentence. A friend fixing your veil. Your partner tearing up during vows.
Best for couples who: Want their wedding day to feel like their wedding day—not a styled shoot.
Candid photography captures authentic moments without staging them. The photographer is more of a silent observer than a director. The result? Photos that feel like memories, not performances.
Documentary / Photojournalistic Wedding Photography
The vibe: Storytelling-focused, with minimal interference
What it looks like: Your whole day captured like a visual narrative—from getting ready to the last dance.
Best for couples who: Want their full story told, with all the context, chaos, and connection.
While “candid” focuses on natural moments, documentary/photojournalistic photography is more holistic. It’s about capturing a visual timeline of your day with emotional honesty and minimal direction. I like to think of documentary wedding photography as an umbrella that candid wedding photography falls under.
Editorial Wedding Photography
The vibe: High-fashion meets wedding day realness
What it looks like: Dramatic lighting, strong compositions, and styled details that feel elevated but not stiff.
Best for couples who: Love the idea of their wedding photos looking like a Vogue spread (without losing their personality).
Editorial photography often includes more direction and creative input from the photographer—think intentional posing, stylized scenes, and artistic framing. It’s polished but still emotional.
Fine Art Wedding Photography
The vibe: Painterly, ethereal, curated
What it looks like: Soft light, muted tones, artful compositions, delicate emotion
Best for couples who: Want their wedding photos to double as literal art.
Fine art photographers often shoot with film or a film-inspired aesthetic. There’s a strong attention to beauty, detail, and emotion, with a slower, more intentional pace.
Traditional Wedding Photography
The vibe: Classic, posed, timeless
What it looks like: Big family formals, perfectly framed portraits, everyone looking at the camera.
Best for couples who: Want to make grandma happy and have a few solid frameables on the wall.
This is the “smile and say cheese” stuff—but when done right, it doesn’t have to feel stale. A good photographer will get these shots done efficiently and mix them in with more relaxed moments.
Bonus: Hybrid / Documentary + Editorial (My Favorite Approach)
Here's the secret: You don’t have to pick just one.
I personally take a hybrid approach—capturing 90% of the day in a candid, documentary style, but stepping in with an editorial eye when it counts. That means you get raw, emotional moments and a few frame-worthy shots that feel like an elevated version of yourselves.
So, Which Style Is Right for You?
If you want to relive every moment exactly as it happened → Documentary
If you want your photos to feel effortlessly real → Candid
If you want magazine-worthy portraits with personality → Editorial
If you want something classic and structured → Traditional
If you want your photos to look like art → Fine Art
If you want the best of everything → Hybrid
Still not sure? I’m happy to talk through your vision and help you figure it out. Reach out - let's chat.
Want to see more examples of different wedding photography styles? Check out these articles:
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