Editorial Wedding Photography: The Artistic Approach to Capturing Your Big Day
When it comes to weddings, couples today are looking for something different. They don’t want a ‘cookie-cutter’ wedding, but instead one that reflects their personalities and the meaningfulness of their relationship, and I’m sure you’re one of these couples! And you’ll want to choose a style of photography that won’t just capture your day, but craft it perfectly into timeless photos. You want editorial wedding photography – a sophisticated and artistic approach that goes beyond simply capturing moments, and tells an emotive visual story through thoughtful composition, lighting, and an eye for detail. In this blog post, we’ll explore what editorial wedding photography is, how it has evolved, the benefits of choosing this style, what to expect on your wedding day, and how it fits in with other photography styles.
What is Editorial Wedding Photography?
Editorial wedding photography is a style that merges traditional, documentary wedding photography with the visual storytelling and artistic elements of high-fashion photography found in luxury magazines such as ‘Vogue’. But before you run away screaming because you’re not comfortable in front of the camera, let alone a Vogue model, let me explain further!
It's key to highlight here that only elements of high-fashion photography are used to inspire editorial wedding photography. Your wedding is not going to be transformed into a photography studio with you guys doing pose after pose! (unless that’s your vibe!)
The main hallmark of editorial wedding photography is its emphasis on creating timeless, elegant images. It often involves purposeful compositions, creative use of light, and a careful consideration of the scene's mood and atmosphere. Unlike traditional wedding photography, which can sometimes focus on straightforward portraits or candid shots, editorial wedding photography is more about creating a visual narrative, focusing on details, textures, and emotions in an artful way. It can even portray movement in a still image to give a sense of special fleeting moments. The day is still largely captured ‘candidly’ but with a more skilful eye, elevating your photos to artistic frames.
The History and Evolution of Editorial Wedding Photography
The term “editorial” originally comes from the world of publishing and refers to content that is created for magazines or other editorial publications. Over time, photographers began adopting the techniques and aesthetic qualities of fashion and editorial photography to elevate wedding images beyond simply capturing moments. As wedding photography became more professionalised and varied in style throughout the 20th century, the demand for more creative and distinctive wedding imagery began to grow. In the early 2000s, many wedding photographers started experimenting with this editorial style, borrowing ideas from the fashion industry, and focusing on posing, angles, lighting, and purposeful compositions.
In the past, wedding photos were typically straightforward and posed, possibly including some photos of the ceremony, but largely consisting of posed group shots outside the church. With the rise of the editorial style, photographers began to break free from the conventional approach and started incorporating more elements and ideas to tell the story of the couple’s relationship using the wedding setting itself. The use of interesting lighting and artful framing became signatures of editorial wedding photography.
Today, it has become one of the most sought-after styles among couples looking to add sophistication and artistry to their wedding photos. It is a style that blends the timelessness of traditional wedding photography with the creative freedom of modern, fashion-forward shoots.
The Benefits of Choosing Editorial Wedding Photography
There are so many benefits for couples like you who want to go beyond the traditional, documentary style photography, and choose to go for modern, artistic editorial wedding photography. Here are some of the major benefits of choosing this style for your big day:
1. Timeless Elegance
Editorial wedding photography is known for its timeless appeal. The carefully curated compositions, attention to detail, and often romantic atmosphere ensure that your photos won’t feel dated as trends come and go. This style focuses on classic beauty, allowing your wedding images to remain elegant and sophisticated for years to come.
2. Creative Vision
An editorial photographer has an artistic vision and will approach your wedding with an eye for creating high-quality, magazine-worthy images. From selecting the perfect lighting to arranging beautiful detail shots, the photographer’s goal is to create unique, visually striking imagery that tells a story.
3. Artistic Storytelling
Instead of merely capturing moments as they unfold, editorial wedding photographers craft a visual narrative. They take the time to consider the environment, your dress, your venue, and the emotions of the day, making sure every image communicates the essence of your wedding. This storytelling aspect often results in a more personal, engaging set of photos that feel like a cohesive visual journey.
4. Attention to Detail
Editorial wedding photography pays meticulous attention to every detail, whether it’s the texture of your wedding dress, the flowers, the architecture of the venue, or the light falling across a romantic scene. This focus on detail helps elevate the overall quality of the images and ensures that no element of your wedding day goes unnoticed.
5. Customisation
One of the perks of editorial wedding photography is that it can be tailored to your preferences. You can work with your photographer to establish the mood, aesthetic, and overall style that reflects your vision for the day. Whether you want a glamorous, fashion-forward look or a more vintage, romantic feel, editorial photographers can adapt their approach to align with your specific vision.
What Your Wedding Day Will Look Like with an Editorial Wedding Photographer
Choosing an editorial wedding photographer will transform how you experience and view your big day, and there are a few key differences in how the day will unfold when compared to a more traditional wedding photography approach.
Throughout the day, an editorial wedding photographer will focus on capturing the overall atmosphere, not just the people and moments. They’ll pay close attention to the environment, ensuring that shots include elements like the venue, the décor, and even the way the light plays on a particular feature of the space. You might see a shot of your invitation suite alongside a bouquet, or a perfectly framed image of your bridal shoes resting on a beautifully detailed chair. These images aren’t just about documentation; they’re about creating a mood.
Don’t worry, candid is still key! You will be asked to do very little to create the editorial look, (unless you have arranged with your photographer that you want to get stylised!) You will see your photographer shooting from different angles, or through obstacles, and they will be carefully selecting where to put you to make the best use of the lighting and atmosphere. Speaking of my specific approach, I don’t interfere with the day at all apart from during two key parts: when the prep is done and when we go off to have couple shots of the two of you.
If it is something you comfortable with, I will take a few moments to photograph you when you have finished getting ready in the morning. This is not a Vogue shoot though! I’ll do the heavy lifting, all you will do is stand near a window or maybe sit in a beautiful chair!
Then when I take photos of the two of you, again I will give gentle direction, but it’s more prompts than poses because again, it is my approach that creates the editorial feel, not what you guys do.
I will encourage you not to rush through moments of your day, but to slow down and take everything in, but that’s just good advice for any couple on their wedding day!
All in all, I believe that editorial wedding photography is the best style! It incorporates the fresh, candid vibes of documentary photography, the elegance and beauty of fine art photography, and the creative, high-end feel of editorial photography. It offers you the opportunity to have your wedding captured in a way that’s not only visually stunning but also tells a beautiful, personal story. The result is a set of crafted images that feels as artistic and timeless as it is meaningful. If you’re drawn to luxury aesthetics, cinematic storytelling, and a visually cohesive narrative, editorial photography may be the perfect choice for your wedding. This style stands out for its creativity, attention to detail, and ability to capture a wedding day with an elevated and artful perspective.
So, have I convinced you to go for editorial wedding photography?! Get in touch!
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