BY ALISON McGILL
With so many wedding photography styles to choose from, it’s easy to fall in love with a little bit of everything: the polish of an editorial portrait, the spontaneity of a candid shot, the warmth of film. So how do you decide what actually suits your day? We asked wedding photographers what sets each style apart, how they bring different looks together and what to consider as you plan your photos.
What are the different wedding photography styles?
A little primer here on wedding photography styles: traditional photography focuses on staged portraits of you and your family, as well as capturing key moments from the ceremony and reception, while editorial photography delivers a glossy, magazine-perfect aesthetic that is rich in storytelling. Documentary or photojournalism is similar to editorial, but images have a more organic, candid feel. Film photography delivers an old-world aesthetic, brimming with depth, character and warmth that simply can’t be captured digitally.
The case for mixing styles
Can’t decide on just one? Going with an artful variety of image styles is exactly what industry pros recommend.
“There is huge value in going with a mix because a wedding day has an incredible number of layers to it,” says Danielle Arnold, a lifestyle and wedding photographer based in Erin, Ont. “Having a balance of imagery that feels honest and lived-in. It’s less about perfect posing and more about connection. My approach touches on all of this, and I am always watching for the in-between moments – the way things actually felt, not just how they looked.”
Ottawa-based wedding photographers Matthew Hawes and Adrian Larocque are the owners of Age of Indie, and they both echo these sentiments, sharing that authenticity and realness are the biggest buzzwords in wedding photography, especially in light of the rise of AI. The pair say the biggest ask from clients is delivering a gallery of aspirational, editorial-style portraits alongside images that convey candid storytelling and intentional, artistic portraiture.
“We are drawn to emotionally connected moments while still creating imagery that feels elevated, cinematic and artful,” Hawes says. “A lot of our inspiration comes from cinema, fashion editorials and nostalgic imagery. We love photographs that don’t feel overly perfect and document people as they truly are – the energy between couples, the stolen moments, family dynamics, atmosphere and all the little details that make a wedding feel uniquely theirs.”
How to choose a style that suits your wedding
When it comes to landing on the best photo styles for your day, Hawes and Larocque say it’s an incredibly personal decision. When working with their clients, they act as advisors and curators to create a custom approach. “Every wedding has its own personality, and we really try to photograph it in a way that reflects a couple rather than forcing every wedding into the same formula,” Hawes explains. “For example, a downtown urban editorial wedding with a modern design approach might lean more cinematic and fashion-forward, while an intimate countryside wedding may feel softer, more documentary, nostalgic and organic.”
Location, lighting considerations, timeline flow, styling details and colour palettes are all things that come into play when creating a shot list for the day. It also comes down to mood, how formal or relaxed you want images to be and what moments matter most. Like Arnold, Hawes and Larocque believe the best wedding galleries include a beautiful blend of imagery. The duo’s current choice mix? Candid documentary, timeless family portraits, cinematic portraits, flash photography used during the reception and woven throughout the day to create dynamic photographs, soft natural light imagery and select film imagery.
“We have found this variety is key to final images feeling dynamic, emotional and layered instead of visually one-note,” Larocque says.
Why couples love film photography
On film photography, Larocque says this is one of the best ways to add a bespoke element to your wedding day, delivering moments of absolute authenticity. “A lot of the ‘dreamy’ or nostalgic imagery people are drawn to online is film-based or inspired by film. What people love about film is the way it renders light. There’s a softness and depth to it that feels organic and timeless. Film also handles highlights in a beautiful way, especially during outdoor ceremonies or harsh midday light.”
Another thing to know about film photography: if you want it, you need to budget a little extra. Why the added cost? Your photographer not only has to purchase rolls of film but develop, scan and colour correct images. Also, shooting film requires a specific skill set.
“Unlike digital, there’s a cost attached to every single frame,” Hawes explains. “Shooting film well takes a lot of experience because there’s much less room for error, especially during fast-moving wedding days where lighting conditions change constantly. One of the reasons we love film is because it’s unpredictable in the best possible way, which means there’s an imperfection to it that feels very human.”
This article first appeared in the Fall/Winter 2026 issue of Today’s Bride. Read the full issue online here.
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