Stay updated on the top wedding photography trends in Manchester, from editing styles to techniques, to ensure your wedding photos are contemporary and timeless.
Now that I have your attention, I want to share my thoughts on trends when it comes to wedding photography.
Planning a wedding is a whirlwind experience, filled with excitement, anticipation, and a seemingly endless array of decisions to be made. This coming from someone who is planning his own wedding! From selecting the perfect venue to choosing the dress, suits and decor, every aspect of the wedding day is carefully curated to reflect the unique personalities and story of the couple.
Amidst all the planning, one decision stands out as particularly crucial: finding the right photographer to capture the magic and emotion of the day. In Manchester and a lot of cities in the Uk, creativity and diversity is in abundance, couples are spoiled for choice when it comes to wedding photography styles and trends.
My Thoughts On Wedding Photography Trends
Wedding photography trends, like any art form, are subject to change and evolution. What’s popular today may be well, frowned upon in just a few years, and what’s considered innovative and cutting-edge now may become dated and clichéd in the years to come.
I’ve witnessed firsthand the photography trends and the impact they have on couples wedding photographs. While some trends may enhance the visual appeal of wedding photos, others risk detracting from the timeless quality that couples desire in their wedding day images.
I think it’s important for couples to approach wedding photography trends with caution, balancing innovation with timelessness and prioritising authentic and meaningful moments above fads that come and go.
Remember the spot-colouring trend that came in the 90’s when digital photography became huge? A black and white portrait of a groom with only his buttonhole flower in colour! This looked pretty cool back in the day and we were all doing it as photographers. Would you be happy looking through your wedding photos now with the majority in spot colour? I mean I think it looks pretty naff now! Spot colour is definitely OUT!
Top Trends In Manchester Wedding Photography. Whats in?
Documentary style photography – My go to wedding photography trend! Couples are increasingly drawn to images that capture the raw emotion and spontaneity of their wedding day, instead of posing for hours on end they are in favour of natural, unscripted moments. From the nervous excitement of getting ready to the tearful exchanges of vows and the celebrations that follow. Documentary-style photography allows couples to relive the magic of their wedding day in all its unfiltered glory.
By capturing the genuine emotions and intimate moments that define the day, documentary-style photography creates a lasting visual record of the couple’s story. Is this even a trend? I’m confident that this form of wedding photography is going nowhere and will be around forever!
Direct flash – To give that editorial look. I do think this can look great and can definitely have a timeless look about it. We have pretty much done full circle with this one. I’m a big fan of imperfection, and the use of light here was always advised against. Always better to bounce or use directional light using off camera flash to get a more balanced and pleasing light hitting the subject rather than a direct flash on the subject creating a harsh shadow and sometimes, a rabbit in the headlights look.
Direct flash can also give that flashed by the paparazzi look, everyone wants to feel like a celeb right? When done right, I do think it can look pretty cool!
Blurry photos – This one definitely splits the crowd. I think it can work great using proper film cameras. More often than not I have seen it done (pretty badly) digitally. It just doesn’t look the same as when done in film. The blur is to capture motion, the couple walking down the city street for example. It definitely adds the imperfection and can look really arty. I think these kind of photographs would look great printed and hung large on a wall. It doesn’t have the same impact seeing this sort of image scrolling on a mobile phone.
A blurry photo of a static wedding cake though, I’m not quite sure I get that! Cakes don’t really move to create motion. So I think capturing motion works best with moving objects.
Film Photography – I’m not going to lie, I absolutely love the look of film. If you are looking for a timeless classic look to your photographs, film is a winner! I try to emulate this look as close as possible with my editing, again by trying to keep my editing timeless. Photographs taken with a film camera are often not as sharp as digital photography, giving a softer imperfect look.
Drone Photography – Getting an abnormal viewpoint will always capture someone’s attention. It’s not your normal viewpoint so will always draw you in, especially from above. You can make anything look pretty epic from the sky. An aerial shot of your venue with you walking can look great!
Wedding Attire
Now trends in general, I am a huge fan of! I follow fashion trends myself. Always had the current hairstyle, the in-brand shirt or jeans. I grew up in the 90’s, believe me, there were so many dodgy trends that came and went. When you come across an old photograph from them times, nostalgia comes flooding back, maybe with a slight feeling of cringe! But that’s the fun part isn’t it? Looking back on how we were, what we wore, how we styled our hair. That’s the power of photography, those years can come flooding back when you find an old photograph.
Fashion trends play a significant role in shaping the overall aesthetic of a wedding, and this is especially true when it comes to bridal attire.
Over the years, we’ve seen a fascinating evolution in wedding fashion, from vintage-inspired dresses to modern minimalist designs. Couples are increasingly drawn to attire that reflects their personal style and individuality, whether it’s a classic ball gown or a sleek pantsuit. As a photographer, I love capturing the intricate details of wedding attire, from the delicate lace of a vintage veil to the sleek lines of a contemporary gown.
These photographs serve as a visual record of changing fashion trends, allowing couples to look back on their wedding day with fondness and nostalgia.
I remember when the groom and groomsmen would only really get the choice of top hat and tails for their wedding suits. Today, grooms have lots of options when it comes to selecting their wedding attire. From classic tuxedos to stylish suits inspired by popular culture, such as the Peaky Blinders style, there’s something to suit every groom’s taste and personality.
I love capturing the unique style and personality of each groom, whether it’s the classic elegance of a black-tie tuxedo or the rugged charm of a tweed suit. It’s great we get the option to dress and feel comfortable in what we wear these days.
Documentary Wedding Photography
In addition to fashion and beauty trends, wedding photography trends have undergone a transformation in recent years.
As a documentary wedding photographer, I embrace this trend wholeheartedly, recognizing the value of capturing authentic moments that truly reflect the essence of a couple’s love story. From the nervous excitement of getting ready to the tearful exchanges of vows and the party celebrations that follow, documentary-style photography allows couples to relive the magic of a wedding day in all its unfiltered glory and the memories caught will just mean more and more to the couple as the years go by.
While wedding photography trends may come and go, the underlying principle remains the same: to capture the essence of love and emotion in its purest form. As a Manchester-based wedding photographer, I am committed to preserving timeless memories that will be cherished for years to come.
Whether it’s documenting changing fashion trends or capturing candid moments of joy and celebration, I am passionate about creating photographs that tell the unique story of each couple’s story.
Images from wedding venues:
Holmes Mill
Crow Wood Hotel
Armathwaite Hall
Wellbeing Farm
The Out Barn
Oulton Hall
Victoria Warehouse
Beeston Manor
