Choosing Your Wedding Photographer
Why Style, Approach and Energy Matter
When you start looking for a wedding photographer, it can feel like everyone’s work is beautiful. And in many cases, it is. But after a while, you’ll start to notice that not all wedding photography feels the same.
Choosing a photographer isn’t just about how the photos look, it’s also about how the photographer works, and how it feels to have them alongside you on your wedding day.
visual style
Visual style is what the photos look like. The overall vibe and feel of the images. It’s often the first thing that draws you in - the tones, the colours, the way light is used, and how moments are captured.
My own visual style leans towards rich and natural tones, with a love for black and white photography. The goal is always to let the photograph feel timeless rather than trend-led. Visual style matters because you will be looking at these images long after the wedding day is over. They will likely be printed, framed and on the walls in your home, so it’s important that you genuinely love how they look.
Approach (and Energy): How the Photographer Works
Beyond how the images look, it’s important to think about how they’re made.
There are lots of words used to describe wedding photography styles. Broadly speaking, wedding photography generally sits on a spectrum. At one end is editorial photography, which is very much posed and directed, with the photographer taking a very hands-on role to create carefully styled images. At the other end is documentary photography, which is very hands off, focuses on observing and capturing moments as they naturally unfold, with minimal interruption.
Most photographers sit somewhere in between the two, and most couples are drawn to one end of that spectrum more than the other. When you look at a photographer’s work and can picture yourself in the photo, that’s usually a sign that their approach aligns with you.
But approach isn’t just about how much styling and posing that happens. It’s also about energy.
Every photographer brings their own presence into a wedding day. Some are high-energy and directive, others are quieter and more unobtrusive. Even photographers with similar styles can feel very different to work with. You’ll be spending a lot of time together, often during emotional or intimate moments, so it’s important to choose someone whose energy feels right for you. Someone you feel comfortable around. Someone who helps you feel calm, rather than rushed or on show.
Often, couples instinctively know this when they look at photographs and think: I can see myself in these. It’s not just the image, it’s the feeling behind it.
my approach
I am closer to the documentary end of the spectrum, with storytelling at its heart. I’m drawn to real moments, quiet connections, and the in-between details that make a wedding day feel honest and personal.
Most of the couples I work with aren’t used to being in front of the camera, so a big part of my role on the day is helping you feel relaxed and at ease. There are moments, such as group photos or couple portraits, where gentle guidance helps everything flow smoothly. During those times, I’ll offer calm prompts rather than stiff posing, keeping things unforced and unhurried, so you can get back to enjoying your day.
The aim is always the same: for you to feel present, comfortable, and free to enjoy what’s happening, without being overly aware of the camera.
Visual style, approach and energy all work together. A storytelling-led approach allows moments to unfold naturally, while visual style shapes how those moments are translated into photographs.
For me, that means rich, natural tones and considered black and white images that support the feeling of the day, rather than overpower it.
If you’re looking for wedding photography that feels calm, thoughtful and true to you, images that focus on connection rather than performance, you’re in the right place.
If you’d like to know more about how I work, I would love you to download my wedding brochure for more information.
