The Rise of Editorial-Style Wedding Photography - Should You Try It?
- Shawn Eastman
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
In recent years, one particular trend has been steadily making waves in the world of wedding photography - and it's not just another filter or shooting technique. We're talking about editorial-style wedding photography: a captivating fusion of fashion-forward posing, storytelling elegance, and intentional artistry that looks like it stepped straight out of the wedding features section of Vogue or Harper's Bazaar. And it's not just a passing trend - it's a full-blown movement.
As a professional wedding photographer with decades behind the lens, I’ve seen countless styles come and go while some remain and blend into each other - one of which is editorial style wedding photography - and I for one believe it has serious staying power. It’s transforming how couples see their wedding albums and how photographers like myself approach capturing the day.
If you’re planning your wedding and wondering whether this style is for you, read on - I’ll break it all down with insight and honesty.
Table of Contents
What Exactly Is Editorial-Style Wedding Photography?
Think of editorial photography as the glamorous cousin of traditional documentary wedding coverage. It blends timeless moments with cinematic, stylised shots that wouldn’t look out of place in a fashion magazine.
Key traits of editorial wedding photography include:
Intentional posing - not stiff, but stylish
Art-directed imagery - thoughtfully composed frames
High-end fashion influences
Dramatic lighting and backdrops
Emphasis on storytelling and mood
It’s about telling your love story not just through candid emotion, but also through visually stunning, carefully considered images. The vibe is less about capturing everything, and more about capturing what matters most - beautifully.
Why Are So Many Couples Choosing This Style?
There’s been a noticeable shift in what couples want from their wedding photos. Candid, natural, and fly-on-the-wall documentary style wedding photography is still by far the most popular when it comes to the type of photography that couples generally captured throughout the day. However, many couples are now seeking for a collection of this fashion-inspired editorial wedding photography style to also be included - especially for the post-ceremony bride and groom shots.
Today’s brides and grooms are inspired by:
Editorials in bridal magazines
Stylised content on Pinterest and Instagram
Modern wedding aesthetics
Celebrity wedding shoots
Let’s be real - everyone wants to look and feel amazing in their wedding photos. Editorial photography offers an elevated, cinematic feel that looks effortlessly chic. And for couples who want all or some of their wedding images to truly stand out from the crowd, this is a clear winner.
Plus, with many modern weddings embracing minimalist or luxury design themes, editorial photography naturally complements those aesthetics.
Is Editorial-Style Wedding Photography Right for You?
Great question! While it’s a style I absolutely love to sprinkle into wedding shoots, it’s not for everyone - and that’s totally okay.
Consider editorial-style wedding photography if:
You value high-fashion editorial imagery
You’re happy to invest time for posed portraits and stylised shots
You love the idea of your images feeling like a fine art portfolio
You want photos that are as much about aesthetic and mood as they are about candid emotion
But it might not be the right fit if:
You’d rather your photographer stay mostly in the background
You dislike the idea of any directed posing
You prefer a totally un-posed, documentary-only approach throughout
In this instance, you may be better of considering why documentary wedding photography may be perfect for you.
How It Differs From Traditional Wedding Photography
Let’s break down some of the key differences:
Many photographers (myself included) will gladly offer a blend - capturing the raw moments and delivering a few powerful, editorial-inspired signature shots that take your gallery to the next level.
How to Prepare for an Editorial Wedding Shoot
Here’s the thing: you don’t need to be a model or a fashion blogger to nail this style - you just need the right guidance, and that’s where your photographer comes in.
My top tips for couples:
Trust your photographer - Artistic direction is key.
Communicate your vision - Pinterest boards, Instagram saves, mood-boards… I welcome it all.
Prioritise time in your schedule - Beautiful editorial shots need a little breathing room.
Choose the right outfits - Sleek, structured silhouettes work beautifully. Bonus points for statement accessories.
Pick intentional backdrops - That might mean a luxury venue, a quiet modern interior, or even a foggy Welsh cliffside - I love finding beauty in both the obvious and the unexpected.
Why Photographers Love This Style (And Why That Matters)
Let me be honest here: editorial-style wedding photography fires up our creative brains. It allows us to go beyond simply documenting and gives us a little room to create.
When couples trust us with an editorial approach, we get to:
Craft lighting in a more cinematic way
Explore unique angles and compositions
Capture timeless yet contemporary portraits
Showcase you in a way that feels true and stylish
When I shoot editorial-style weddings, I’m not just capturing how it looked - I’m capturing how it felt, with a visual elegance you’ll be proud to share for decades.
Combining Styles for the Best of Both Worlds
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to choose just one style. You can have elements of different wedding photography styles dropped into different sections of the day - or just a general blend of styles throughout.
Many of the couples I work with want the best of both:
Natural, candid moments during the ceremony and speeches
Stylised portraits during golden hour
Detail-rich editorial shots of the dress, the flowers, the venue
This blended approach means you still get all those raw, joyful memories - but elevated with an editorial edge that gives your gallery a truly modern, artistic finish and the ability to be hyper-specific about the type of images you want for each part of the day.
It’s Your Wedding - Make It Look Like You
Ultimately, wedding photography isn’t just about preserving memories - it’s about reflecting who you are as a couple. Editorial-style photography is just one way to do that, and if it resonates with your personality and aesthetic, I say go for it!
If you’re curious about what this style might look like for your wedding, I’m always happy to chat through ideas and share examples from past couples who wanted something bold, beautiful and truly them.
