How to Choose the Best Wedding Photographer: Authentic vs. Editorial Wedding Photography Explained
Why Wedding Photography Should Be Authentic (And the Reality of Editorial Photography Being Set-Up and Posed)
Weddings are life-defining moments – the kind of day that you'll want to remember for the rest of your life (and beyond). And of course, that means wedding photography is crucial for preserving those memories. But here's the thing: Should you go for the raw, authentic style or the glossy, magazine-like editorial wedding photography look? Well, let's dive in and figure it out, shall we?
Authentic Wedding Photography: Keeping It Real (Because Your Aunt’s Dance Moves Deserve to Be Captured)
When we talk about authentic wedding photography, we’re not talking about forced smiles or the "perfectly posed" moments where everyone looks like they're trying too hard. Nope. Authentic wedding photography is about catching those real moments – the tears, the laughter, the real emotions and the REAL PERSONALITIES that make your day uniquely yours.
Authenticity can
be indulgently beautiful,
Cinematic, moving, stylish as well as fun!
What makes this style so amazing? It's all about being yourself in the moment. No awkward “smile-and-tilt-your-head” whilst feeling super-cringe poses – just pure, candid shots that capture everything from a little stolen glance at each other during the vows to that one epic dance move from your best friend (you know the one I mean). These moments are fleeting, and often go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of the day, but they’re the ones that make your wedding feel authentic and real. They are the moments that are woven into the fabric of your memory.
“That one epic dance move from your best friend, you know the one I mean…”
The beauty of authentic wedding photography is that it’s you. You don’t need to stress over having a “perfect” pose or looking like you’re in a photo shoot. You get to relax and soak in your wedding day. And trust me – the more relaxed you are, the more your photos will reflect the joy, love, and energy of the day. It is also the one day where you have everyone you love in one place…ONE DAY! That is potentially only 16 hours in all that you get to drink in celebrating with everyone, why would you want to spend hours of that time having to create elaborate contrived styled photoshoots that bear no reflection of how you actually felt on the day?
If you're looking for the best photographer for you, someone who truly understands the beauty of capturing real moments, you’ll want someone who knows how to shoot the behind-the-scenes, unscripted shots. A wedding photographer who is highly skilled at observing, anticipating and pre-empting human behaviours in order that they can react quickly enough to capture those wedding day blink-and-you’ll-miss-it documentary classics of your family. It’s those candid photos that become the real treasures, ones that bring you back to your day, every time you look at them.
“Authenticity can be beautiful as well as fun”
Editorial Wedding Photography: Posed Perfection (But Not All It Seems)
Now, let's chat about editorial wedding photography. If you’re envisioning your wedding photos being magazine-cover-worthy, editorial photography might be your go-to. We're talking about those stunning, dramatic shots with perfect lighting, flawless compositions, and a little bit of that high-fashion flair be it blurry slow-shutter speed or dutch tilt in its Rival Era. Every angle, every detail, every frame is designed to be picture-perfect.
But here's the thing – while editorial photos look effortless, they’re actually anything but. Want that romantic shot gazing wistfully at your partner whilst seemingly effortlessly lost in the moment? Yep, it’s probably going to take a few tries to get it just right. And those swoon-worthy portraits? You’re probably going to be asked to tilt your head a few times, look this way and that, repeat and perform poses. It’s not “natural,” but it’s definitely beautiful.
Editorial wedding photography can give you some gorgeous, Pinterest-worthy shots (I mean, who doesn’t love a good magazine-style portrait?), but it does require a lot more direction and planning. So, while those images are stunning, they can sometimes feel a bit more like a performance than the authentic connection you might want from your wedding photos and what you often don’t get told before your wedding day is exactly how much time and what it takes to get those images. Only have an hour and a half for your drinks reception? Don’t expect to be spending time relaxing and lapping up the joyous hugs and celebrations of friends and family when you’ve got a magazine-style photo-shoot to tick off the list.
Finding the Right Balance: Why You Don’t Have to Choose Between Authentic & Editorial
Let’s face it – you probably want a bit of both. Why not get those natural, candid, emotional shots that tell your story, AND also have a few swoon-worthy, editorial-style photos? The best part? You totally can without having to do any awkward posing.
Here’s where the magic happens: Find the best photographer for you – one who understands your vision and can balance both authentic and editorial wedding photography. I personally love blending a documentary natural imagery with more cinematic observations, without making anyone feel like it is a photoshoot! It’s about telling your story authentically, while also giving you a few of those high-fashion, artistic stylish images in your gallery. Think candid laughs, joyful tears, and a couple of gorgeous, relaxed natural shots of of the two of you…if you want them. Which brings me to…
The Bottom Line: Wedding Photography That’s All You
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life – and your photos should reflect that. Whether you’re drawn to authentic wedding photography or editorial wedding photography, the key is choosing a style (or a blend of both!) that truly represents you and your partner. And most importantly, choose a photographer who gets you. Someone who can capture the real moments and the shots that make your heart skip a beat.
Remember, your wedding photos are for you. They should tell the story of your love, your joy, and your unique connection. So don’t stress over whether to go fully authentic or totally editorial – your wedding photos don’t have to be categorised.