Editorial Wedding Photography Style: Let’s Talk About It
Alright, let’s get straight to it. Editorial wedding photography is everywhere right now. It’s all over Instagram, it’s on the front page of every wedding mag, and if you’ve spent more than 5 minutes scrolling Instagram or Pinterest, you’ve definitely seen it – the moody close-ups of designer shoes, champagne flutes held at just the right angle, and models-turned-couples staring wistfully into the middle distance.
THE WONKY WALL EPIDEMIC
You’ve seen the ‘editorial’ wedding shots. The crooked walls. The blurry brides. The moody flash straight to the face. It’s high fashion meets “did the photographer trip?” And while it’s everywhere right now, here’s the truth: I’ve got thoughts. Not all of them polite. Let’s talk about why this trend might be more hype than heart – and where it still earns a little respect.
And look, it’s not that we don’t see the appeal. It’s styled. It’s sexy. It’s very Vogue. But here’s the thing: it’s just not us.
We’re not here to fake your day like it’s a Gucci shoot. We’re here to capture your real laughs, messy confetti moments, tearful hugs and wild dance floor chaos. And that’s why this post is part hot take, part love letter, and part gentle reality check.
Because while editorial wedding photography might be right for some couples… here’s why it’s not for us. And maybe, just maybe, not for you either.
Let’s break it down. 👇
KEY FACTS
Editorial wedding photography is stylish, fashion-forward and everywhere right now.
The trend often prioritises fashion over feelings – think luxury details, stiff poses, and big shadows.
The “editorial look” can sometimes overshadow real emotion and connection.
Wonky walls, awkward flash, and overly curated moments aren’t always flattering or timeless.
Brides may confuse stylised fashion shoots for authentic storytelling – which leads to mismatched expectations.
That said, editorial can add drama and flair when used intentionally.
It’s not about hating the style – it’s about knowing if it truly fits your story.
If you want genuine moments, natural light, and photography with soul – we might just be your dream team.
What is Editorial Wedding Photography (And Why Is It So Popular?)
Editorial wedding photography is all about the aesthetic. Think magazine spreads, fashion campaigns, and Pinterest boards full of silky shoes, flawless florals, and couples who look like they’ve just walked off a catwalk in Milan… rather than walked out of the church with confetti in their hair.
At its best, editorial photography is:
- Styled and curated to perfection
- Inspired by fashion, not just feelings
- Focused on details – the dress, the shoes, the tablescape, the veil catch in the wind
- Heavily posed – often more about the image than the moment
- Often shot with direct on-camera flash for that bold, shadowy effect
And we totally get the appeal. It’s glossy. It’s dramatic. It’s made for Instagram. If you’re after that high-fashion, cinematic, luxury wedding vibe – editorial wedding photography delivers that in spades.
It’s designed to be aspirational.
But here’s the kicker: when everyone starts calling themselves an “editorial wedding photographer”, the definition gets a little… blurry. (Pun very much intended.)
Suddenly, it’s not just about beautiful storytelling or fine art imagery. It’s about tilted horizons, slightly deadpan expressions, and photos of your handbag that get more airtime than your grandparents’ happy tears.
And that’s where we start to get a bit twitchy. 🙃
Why Editorial Wedding Photography Isn’t Really Our Thing
(Or: how the wonky wall epidemic took over the internet)
Right then. Time for a little honesty (served with humour and a splash of wine). You’ve seen it. You’ve probably saved it. That moody, fashion-mag style shot of a bride looking wistfully at a curtain. Or a groom staring into a lampshade like he’s pondering the meaning of life. It’s editorial wedding photography, and it’s everywhere. And here’s why we’re not fully aboard the hype train:
1. The wonky wall epidemic
Somewhere along the way, someone decided that straightening photos was so last season. And now we’re tilting our heads sideways trying to work out if the couple are standing on a hill or if the room’s just melting. Spoiler: it’s the wall. And it’s wonky. Intentionally. And we can’t unsee it.
2. Shoes with more screen time than the couple
Listen, we love a good pair of Jimmy Choos. We’ll even photograph them artfully draped over a velvet chair. But when the shoes, the bag, the perfume bottle and a napkin from the stationery suite get more limelight than the couple? We start to miss the humans. (You know – the ones actually getting married.)
3. Harsh flash and moody stares
On-camera flash can be fun – think dance floor chaos, not reception room crime scene. But combine it with big shadow blobs on the wall and a bride looking like she’s just spotted her ex, and we’re left scratching our heads wondering: where’s the joy?
4. Staged moments pretending to be candid
One of our biggest beefs: the illusion of authenticity. Editorial style loves a “candid” moment – except it’s been styled for 20 minutes, involved a mood board, and needed five takes to get the veil blowing “naturally.” It’s beautiful, yes. But it’s not exactly real. And we’re big on real.
5. Everyone’s doing it
From TikTok trends to wedding blogs – editorial is hot. Which is fab if it suits you! But when every other gallery starts looking identical, it’s harder to find something that truly reflects you two. We want your wedding photos to feel like your story, not a Vogue cover shoot you barely recognise yourself in.
Why We Still Respect Editorial Wedding Photography
(Because there’s always something to love… even if it’s not your thing)
Alright, we’ve had our little rant – now let’s balance the scales. Just because it’s not fully our jam doesn’t mean we don’t respect the craft. Editorial wedding photography has its place, and when it’s done right, it can be seriously jaw-dropping.
1. It’s undeniably beautiful
We’re talking magazine-worthy drama, impeccable light, next-level styling – the kind of photos that stop you mid-scroll and make you go, “Woah.” There’s serious skill behind those crisp frames, and we totally admire that.
2. It embraces fashion
Editorial style doesn’t shy away from the detail shots – and when the couple really loves fashion, it can elevate the vibe. For the couple who dream of their wedding looking like an editorial spread in Harper’s Bazaar? This is the stuff of dreams.
3. It’s taught us to slow down (just a little)
As documentary photographers, we work fast – blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of fast. But the editorial world reminds us there’s value in slowing down, composing a frame with a little extra intention, and letting moments breathe (without overdoing it).
4. It celebrates creativity
We’re always up for creative photography that breaks the mould – and if that means embracing a bit of flair, mood, or drama from the editorial playbook? Great. Just as long as we’re not sacrificing the real, messy, wonderful in-between moments to get it.
5. It’s helping couples define their style
One thing we really appreciate? Couples are becoming more conscious of what they love in photography – and editorial style is helping them figure that out. Whether you lean moody and minimal or bright and joy-filled, the fact that couples are thinking about style is a total win.
So, What Do We Shoot Instead? Modern wedding photography!
We like to think of our style as the best of all worlds: part documentary, part creative, 100% human.
We’re all about:
🖤 Candid wedding photography – those real, fleeting, blink-and-you-miss-it moments that tell the actual story of your day. The hugs, the giggles, the glances across the room.
🖤 Documentary wedding photography – unobtrusive, relaxed, emotionally rich. We don’t force anything, we just notice everything.
🖤 Natural and creative – Yes, we’ll help you look amazing. But we’ll do it without making you feel like you’re starring in a perfume ad or Vogue editorial (unless that’s your thing – and then we’ll make it fabulous).
🖤 Photos that feel like you – Whether you’re barefoot in a field or strutting through a stately manor in designer heels, we want your gallery to feel authentic, not filtered through someone else’s aesthetic.
🖤 A sprinkle of film magic – Sometimes, we shoot a couple of rolls of 35mm film – because there’s nothing like that dreamy, nostalgic glow (especially when it’s mixed in with all the crisp digital storytelling).
We believe wedding photos should feel real — the joy, the chaos, the quiet, the epic, the silly and the sacred. We’re not about trends. We’re about timeless, soul-stirring storytelling that actually means something to you… and still looks amazing in 30 years’ time.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not You, It’s the Editorial Trend (Probably)
If you’ve made it this far, you’re either:
- A little curious about editorial wedding photography (and maybe slightly traumatised by a wall shadow),
- Wondering what the fuss is all about, or
- Nodding along like “YES, finally someone said it!”
Here’s the thing – there’s absolutely nothing wrong with loving the editorial look. If perfectly styled flat-lays, high fashion poses and moody flash-lit frames are your jam, go for it! It’s your wedding day, and your photography should reflect your vision.
But if you’re dreaming of something a little more heartfelt and a lot more you… we’re right here with our cameras and our snack bags, ready to tell your story as it naturally unfolds.
Because let’s face it – your grandma’s teary hug, your best mate’s bad dance moves, and your partner’s face when you walk down the aisle… that’s the good stuff.
Let’s Tell Your Story
Ready for wedding photos that feel as good as the day itself?
“Like what you see (and what we don’t shoot)? We only book a handful of weddings each year, so if your date’s still open, let’s lock it in before someone else snaps it up.”
👉 [Get in touch here] and let’s chat about your plans, your people, and the kind of memories you want to hold onto forever.
We’ll bring the calm, the creativity, and the clicky things. You just bring yourselves.
Outstanding reflection, Marta! The trend chasing hype has taken on such momentum that no one really knows why or what’s being asked… It appears that the message is confusing and a clash of skill vs intentional happy accidents is the brief with an outcome one can only assume would be feelings of disappointment in time when looking back for key people to find a shot of a blurry dahlia in its place.
Let’s not shoot for the gram, we all need to be reminded that weddings are about people… and to be forced by some etherial hand to shoot in a way feels unnatural.
Thanks for sharing your words, certainly thought provoking!