One of the biggest questions I ask my couples when I start planning their wedding is what style of photography they like. This really helps me get to know the couple and the style of wedding they would like.
Authors Bio: Vivienne May Weddings was founded and created by Kerrie May. With over 8 years of experience in the luxury wedding & event industry, Kerrie has worked at some of the UK’s most iconic venues alongside a selection of renowned industry professionals and worked with a selection of high-net worth couples.
Kerrie is a Luxury UK Wedding Planner and has a distinctive reputation amongst her fellow luxury wedding professionals. Her wealth of experience, industry knowledge and unrivalled passion for bringing her clients vision to life is what drives her to plan impeccably designed, style-led and perfectly co-ordinated weddings, with romance at its heart.
From fine art, to natural, to editorial, there are so many options available to couples and it can seem quite overwhelming when couples start to search for a Wedding Photographer, therefore I reached out to some of my favourite Wedding Photographers to guide you through their unique styles to help you choose your perfect Wedding Photographer!
White Stag Wedding Photography
Photo Credit: White Stag Wedding Photography
How would you describe your wedding photography style?
Our style is best described as romantic, light, airy and elegant. In more general terms we fit under the umbrella of fine art photographers, but it's also important to us that our photographs have an organic and natural feel - we don't like anything that feels too staged!
Photography style can also describe the way in which a photographer works with couples and their guests on the day. One of our priorities is to build a rapport with our couples so they are completely at ease with us capturing their day – the better they know us, the more relaxed and happy they will look in their photos!
How did the inspiration for your style come about?
Our style has been developed and refined over the years, and our main inspiration was wanting our photographs to look how a wedding day feels! Full of love and romance. Wedding days are such joyful days, and for us that is reflected in the softness and lightness of our work!
What do you love most about your style?
That it is timeless! We truly believe that in ten, twenty, or even fifty years time the photographs and the style will not have dated. Because we have quite a classic look (and avoid heavy or trendy edits) meaning they should make beautiful heirlooms for future generations.
What wedding venues work best with your photography style?
Lots of light is absolutely crucial to us! So orangeries are always wonderful, as well as elegant country houses, and the honey-coloured stone buildings of the Cotswolds.
Finally, tell the readers a little bit more about you & your business:
Our business has just celebrated its tenth birthday which felt like a huge milestone! We feel incredibly lucky that we have been able to do the job we love for a whole decade. We are a husband and wife team - Andy is German, Catherine is British, and we got married in Italy! We live in a little hamlet in the Kent countryside but travel all over the UK for weddings.
Check out their website here for more beautiful weddings: White Stag Weddings
Sarah Vivienne Photography
Photo Credit: Sarah Vivienne Photography
How would you describe your wedding photography style?
It’s tricky to give it a label. Because my work is about my couples, not me. But I suppose the word ‘true’ sums it up. If the wedding is an informal and colourful affair with a party vibe, their photos will be relaxed, fun and full of colour. If I’m shooting a chic orangery wedding with masses of pastel flowers, the photos will be elegant and airy with soft colours. If it’s a glamorous, after-dark, candlelit occasion… But it’s not just about how the photos look. The feeling is important too. So I (calmly) capture most of the day in documentary photos. That allows people to feel comfortable enough to be themselves. Which means I can capture all the moments, personalities and emotions of the day.
Then I fill in the story with shots of all the little details and décor, plus a few relaxed couple portraits and classic family photos. I love the photos to have a sense of place too, so the venue is a big feature. It’s a very rounded story. And it’s all edited authentically with genuine colours and real skin tones. Whilst there’s a lot of post-production work involved, the end result will be what the couple saw and experienced on the day. Because that leads to the most meaningful photos.
How did the inspiration for your style come about?
It’s evolved over the years. When I first started out (over 15 years ago!) I was all about the look of the photos. I was heavily inspired by the work of a Scottish wedding photographer called Gordon McGowan, who was renowned for his couple portraits. He had an amazing ability to make his couples an integral part of their venue’s architecture. And I learned about natural light from the guru of that era - Damien Lovegrove. Their influence is still in my work today. But as I’ve developed personally, I’ve come to understand what I really enjoy capturing and become more ‘me’. That’s a huge influence on my work too and now there’s a lot more love (of every kind) in my photos.
What do you love most about your style?
The buzz it gives me to create! And knowing that the photos will only ever become more precious as time goes on.
What wedding venues work best with your photography style?
Any! Whatever the venue, I’ll look to see what the architect, designer or landscaper saw, and show that off. Country houses, private homes, barns, marquees, tipis … I love them all!
Finally, tell the readers a little bit more about you & your business:
I’m based in Northamptonshire but will travel anywhere. I’m obsessed with my two King Charles Cavaliers, Daisy and Poppy. And I hate that weddings come with so many opinions - so whilst I may give you advice (if you ask for it!), I won’t ever tell you what to do.
Check out Sarah's website here for more beautiful weddings: Sarah Vivienne Photography
Alice Cunliffe Photography
Photo Credit: Alice Cunliffe Photography
How would you describe your wedding photography style?
Elegant, warm, emotive, natural and joy-filled!
How did the inspiration for your style come about?
By photographing and focusing on what I’m naturally drawn to. I stick in my own lane and stay true to what I love! That way, when brides and grooms choose me to be their wedding photographer, we’re already similarly aligned in what we want to get out of the wedding photography side of things, and we seem to connect really beautifully on a friendship level too!
When it comes to editing my photos, I take great care not to over-edit, and try to keep things looking current yet timeless. I’ve always looked out for what draws me to other wedding photographers’ style, and generally it’s that gorgeous warmth and glow that flatters skin tones and brings out the stunning colours within nature!
What do you love most about your style?
That it brings out the best in everyone! I go above and beyond to make sure I’ve connected with my couples before the wedding. I want to understand them and allow them to be themselves! I don’t over-stage photos or pose anyone unnaturally. I read who they are and work WITH them. I’m constantly reading guests on the day too; I want to blend in as one of them and subtly capture lovely candid shots between everyone. When I sit and edit my photos, I see the laughter, the embraces and the tears, and it takes me straight back to that moment. I hope it does for my couples too!
What wedding venues work best with your photography style?
I adore working at all sorts of venues to be honest - I think there are huge pros to each, and I love exploring new venues! The elegance of a stately home, the textures and colours within a woodland, the brightness and freshness of a marquee, the natural colours and cosy ambience within a barn…but if I HAD to say one, then I’d say venues that have a lot of natural light within, and an outdoor space with lots of wild and natural foliage! Give me all of the ferns, wild grasses and pine trees!
Finally, tell the readers a little bit more about you & your business:
I’ve been a wedding photographer for nearly 7 years now, and am based over in North Norfolk! I’m so thankful to live here with my husband, Ben. It’s a wonderful place to walk by the sea or through the countryside. I love the busy-ness and the fun of weddings, but I also love the quieter moments to take it all in and just reflect on how thankful I am to do what I do!
Check out Alice's website here for more beautiful weddings: Alice Cunliffe Photography
Ellen Sear Photography
Photo Credit: Ellen Sear Photography
How would you describe your wedding photography style?
My style has been described as nostalgic, soft, emotive, warm and intimate. I focus on connection and real, natural moments and avoid posing my couples. I want my work to be an extension of who they are and what they hold dear.
How did the inspiration for your style come about?
I absolutely adore old film photography and am inspired a lot by that. I also take influence from nature; it’s my muse. I love being outdoors and exploring the beautiful world and what it has to offer and I think that shows in my work.
What do you love most about your style?
I think what I love most about my style is I feel like it’s truly how I see the world. My business was originally called “The Aesthete” which means somebody who is appreciative or sensitive to art and beauty and I like to think that is still reflected in my work today.
What Wedding venues work best with your photography style?
I feel my style works with all venue types but I can be most creative with venues that have a lot of outdoor spaces or a variety of different backdrops. I like to get creative and get excited by unique features!
Finally, tell the readers a little bit more about you & our business:
I like to run my business as authentically as possible. I am autistic and deal with mental illness and will always be open and honest with my clients. I like to think I run my business in a similar way. What you see is what you get. I am proud of who I am and the work I produce and will always serve my clients in the best way I can.
Check out Ellen's website here for more beautiful weddings: Ellen Sear Photography