Hey there, lovebirds! Planning a wedding is exciting, but with so many decisions, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.  One crucial choice: your wedding photographer.  But beyond just finding someone with a great camera, there’s the whole style question.  Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!  This guide will break down posing styles, editing vibes, and the surprising impact your venue has on your photos.

Posing Styles

Traditional Poses: Classic and timeless, these poses often involve formal groupings and staged shots. They are perfect for capturing family portraits and ensuring everyone looks their best.

*We use traditional posing solely for family photos and a little for solo portraits. The reason behind this is we want these moments to be curated for the best possible outcome so you can have a few photos that all of your family members can enjoy.

Photojournalistic (Candid) Shots: These styles focus on capturing genuine moments as they happen. Candid shots are ideal for capturing the emotions and spontaneity of your wedding day, providing a narrative of the events using a more candid approach for the times when we’re not in control. This includes moments like the ceremony and reception events, these are moments that it wouldn’t make sense for us to offer direction and rather take the fly-on-the-wall approach. We’ll also capture those in-between moments while you’re hanging out getting ready and while you’re walking around the city with your wedding party.

*We use a more candid approach to many parts of the day from the getting ready process to the reception, areas when were not providing direction is totally candid.

Artistic and Editorial Poses: These poses involve more creative and stylized compositions. They often use unique angles, lighting, and settings to create visually striking images that resemble magazine editorials.

Curated Poses: Your photographer will guide you into flattering positions that highlight your love and the beauty of the venue. This is perfect if you want timeless, elegant photos or if you’re a little camera-shy and prefer some direction.

*This is where we really shine! We’ll use a mix of photojournalism and editorial posing prompts to curate the images that made you reach out in the first place. Don’t worry there will never be a moment when you’re left wondering what you should be doing; we’ll be guiding you along the way to ensure we’re creating those natural-looking images you’re doing to love!

Editing Styles

Light and Airy: This style typically involves bright, soft, and romantic tones. It enhances natural light and creates a dreamy atmosphere, perfect for outdoor weddings or venues with lots of natural light.

If your day is a light bright garden party you’ll get something like this –

Dark and Moody: Using deeper shadows and richer tones, this style creates a dramatic and intimate feel. It’s well-suited for evening weddings or venues with unique architectural features that can be highlighted with dramatic lighting.

If you’re day is mid November in Michigan with overcast skies you’ll get something like this –

And if you’re day is a darker moody venue with dramatic lighting you’ll get something like this-

Vintage or Film-Inspired: Mimicking the look of old film photographs, this style adds warmth and nostalgia to your wedding photos. It’s great for couples who appreciate a retro aesthetic or are drawn to timeless elegance.

True to life: This style can evoke all of the above, it just depends on what your day looks like. True to life wedding photography editing style, also known as natural or documentary style, aims to present wedding photos in a way that accurately reflects the events and emotions of the day without heavy editing or alterations.

Impact of Venue Selection

Outdoor Venues: Parks, gardens, and waterfront locations offer natural beauty and ample natural light, making them ideal for light and airy or candid photography styles. Your photographer can utilize the surroundings to frame stunning shots.

Indoor Venues with low light or little to no natural lighting: Museums, or historic buildings provide unique backdrops and architectural elements. They often require adjustments in lighting and composition to highlight the venue’s ambiance and décor, influencing editing styles like dark and moody or vintage.

Urban Settings: Cities like Detroit, Chicago, and New York offer diverse landscapes and iconic landmarks. From skyscrapers to graffiti walls, urban settings provide a dynamic backdrop for artistic and editorial poses, blending contemporary style with cityscape charm.

Choosing the right wedding photography style involves understanding your preferences, the venue’s atmosphere, and your photographer’s expertise. Whether you prefer traditional poses, candid moments, or artistic compositions, each style can beautifully capture the essence of your wedding day. By selecting a photographer who aligns with your vision and understands the unique elements of your chosen venue, you’ll ensure your wedding photos are timeless memories that you’ll cherish forever.

In Detroit, Chicago, and New York, where each city offers its own charm and character, your wedding photos can reflect not only your love story but also the vibrant spirit of your chosen location. Embrace the diversity of styles and settings available to you, and let your photographer guide you in creating a visual narrative that celebrates your journey together.

For more tips and inspiration on planning your wedding in Michigan, Chicago, or New York, stay tuned to our blog.

Happy planning!

Looking for the perfect Detroit Wedding venue? Check out our Top 25 choices here