After the ‘I dos’ have been said and the rings slipped on, the party rages into the night and the tears flow with the speeches, the one thing that lingers are the photos that captured it all. You’ll be looking back on these photos for decades to come. So how can you make sure they define you as a couple and encapsulate your most important day in all its glory? Join Melbourne Wedding & Bride’s Hannah McDonald as she sits down with Belinda Prince, photographer and owner of Belle Martin Photography, to uncover the ultimate guide of wedding photography styles so you can frame forever through the perfect lens.
Belle has spent the last decade capturing the ethereal essence of more than 450 weddings with a joy and dedication that is unrivalled. “It all started when I was watching the photographer at my cousin’s wedding and thinking, ‘I can do that too!’ And so here I am,” Belle recounts “I have seen my business grow from photographing my friends’ weddings and putting myself out there to meeting new people and now I am working nearly every weekend at weddings. It is just me, with the hope of maybe expanding, but for now it’s just me!”
When asked what she loved most about wedding photography, Belle had too many answers to count. “I love being a part of a day that is just screaming with happiness. Maybe a little stress too but love and happiness truly do take over (corny, I know, but I have always loved that). The most rewarding thing though, is the friendships that have come from this. Whether it be from the couple themselves or their friends or the vendors that I have worked with and met! That is what I love the most,” she says.
Image courtesy of Belle Martin Photography.
FAIRYTALE PHOTOGRAPHER
When it comes to securing your dream photographer, research is key. “There are so many options right now, which makes it hard but aligning their style of work and personality is a must. The photographer is who you are going to spend the most time with on your day so you need to make sure you love their vibe and what they will bring. Whether it be fun and laughs with a boogie or someone who will be focused and get the job done,” Belle advises.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices based on perceived style and personality through social media and testimonials, asking questions of your short list is a must. Belle suggests a few to get started: “How do you support your couples before the day? How do you help people who feel awkward in front of the camera? How do you typically work on the day – are you more directive or fly-on-the-wall? Can you show me a full gallery from a similar wedding? How do you handle unexpected changes?”
STYLES AND SMILES
Styles of photography can be identified by the untrained eye and most people know what they like when they see it. However, to achieve the optimal result with your wedding photography, it helps to get specific and technical about styles. “Currently the main two styles are editorial and documentary, which is the category I fall into. Traditional is still around but it depends on the photographer themselves. And then throw in there the artistic approach that comes with it. Blurry or sharp images, for example. Editorial is a little more high-end branding type wedding photography,” Belle lists.
In the eyes of Belle, candid and documentary-style has become the most popular as people want to remember the joy. “Couples are done with stiff, over-posed galleries. They want to feel seen, not staged. After years of uncertainty – thanks COVID – people want to remember how it felt, not just how it looked. This style captures the chaos, the love, the imperfection – and that’s what they’ll treasure in twenty years,” she asserts.
Other, more artistic styles are also coming into fashion with film and vintage revival shoots increasing in prevalence. “Nostalgia sells. Film evokes emotion in a way digital sometimes can’t –the grain, the imperfection, the warmth. In an age of hyper-edited everything, this brings couples back to something tangible and timeless,” Belle says. Moody night portraits are also landing in the galleries of many modern couples. “Magic happens when the day slows down. It gives couples something unique that stands apart from the classic sunset shot, making the gallery feel layered and emotive,” she identifies.
DEVELOPED ADVICE
After countless hours behind the camera, Belle is the ultimate resource on all things wedding photography. “My biggest advice? Start by tuning out the noise and tuning into you. Don’t just scroll Pinterest or Instagram and pick what’s trending. The right photography style isn’t just about colours or edits, it’s about choosing someone who sees you, gets your vibe and can reflect that back to you in an honest, beautiful way,” she specifies.
She stresses not being afraid of really doing your due diligence. You only (usually) get one chance to choose your perfect wedding photographer. “Look at full galleries, not just highlight reels. Pay attention to how the story flows, can you feel the couple’s personality? Does it feel like them, not just a mood board? And finally, trust your gut. When you find a photographer whose work feels like home, and who you vibe with as a human? That’s the one. The edit is just the icing on the cake,” she concludes.