What is an Editorial Wedding Photographer?
Perfectly timed candids and eye catching detail shots that tell the story of the day are some hallmarks of Editorial Wedding Photography. All images by Michelle Elyse Photography (me!).....More Photo Examples with Captions Throughout this Post
“The amount of people who told me these images belong in Vogue is ridiculous “
– Julie, Bride and past wedding photography client
(If you are looking for an editorial wedding photographer, please contact me HERE.)
To see more examples of editorial wedding photography, feel free to also check out and follow along on my IG @michelleelysephoto
What is an Editorial Wedding Photographer?
Perhaps you’ve been hearing the term “editorial wedding photographer”. Its the new buzz word among wedding photography trends. But to a non-photographer couple planning their wedding, you may not know what it means when someone describes themselves this way. Even as a very experienced wedding photographer, this “editorial” term being used seemed very vague. However, after much time being in the field, studying this style, and speaking with others, I have come up with a much more concrete definition for the term. So lets break down what this term “editorial wedding photographer” is all about.
Fashion-forward, glamorous documentary images that set the scene are a part of editorial wedding photography. Image by Michelle Elyse Photography
The Short Answer
I’ll start with the short answer and then follow up with a more detailed explanation. The word editorial refers to a story- and up to this point, it has been primarily associated with magazines, or similar online publications. Likewise, an editorial wedding photographer is a photographer who shoots with an aim to portray a story… typically in the most glamorous and flattering way (like what would be shown in a fashion magazine).
I will break this down for you in more detail below. It generally includes the ideas on the following list:
EDITORIAL STYLE PHOTOGRAPHY KEY FEATURES:
1. Tells a story
This is really a hallmark of editorial wedding photography. The images aren’t just some staged and posed styled shoot. They’re valuable frames that bring you back to the moments of the day. Looking back at them, you re-live when your groom made you laugh so hard you doubled over, or the elation you felt on the dance floor when your favorite song started planning. Sometimes, given the context, a random onlooker might not “get it”. But because you were there, those unique moments that bring the story back to life are valuable and full of life. Telling a story, these images of weddings are often full of movement and emotion.
In my experience, you can't properly tell the story of the day without elegant, perfectly timed candids. These are crucial in telling the authentic story in editorial wedding photography. For example, this happy and congratulatory hug between the bride and her mom right after the ceremony. Image by Michelle Elyse Photography
2. Includes Images that Set the Tone of the Day
I love to capture not only the close up, intimate moments, but also the photos that capture the setting. Whether this is an epic drone shot that captures the grandeur of the scenery you’ve so thoughtfully chosen for your day. Or a still life showcasing the light and shadow pouring through the window of your gorgeous venue. These photos of the spaces, details, and landscapes also tell the story what your day looked and felt like. And they help to re-live what it was like to actually BE at your wedding day.
Each couple carefully chooses a venue which is meaningful to them- usually by its design or its location. I believe that capturing this in a way that conveys the beauty of the setting and what it was like to really be there is important to their story. For example. this couple chose to get have a destination wedding at her family's lake house where have enjoyed many a summer vacation. Image by Michelle Elyse Photography
3. Captures the Personality, Emotions, & Essence of Individuals
This goes along with the first point, but it’s worth re-iterating that Editorial Wedding Photos aren’t just about taking perfect pictures smiling and posing at the camera. They’re about telling the unique story that is special to your day. Experiencing a wedding day, with all the loved ones in it, is chock full of emotions and personalities. It’s a living, breathing life force of an experience. Hugs, expressions, fashion choices.. images of these sorts of things all help to portray the personalities and essence of the individuals present with you on your wedding day.
Editorial wedding photos capture the personality of individuals. For example, this photo of a joyful flower girl on the dance floor that I captured is one of my all time favorite images. Image by Michelle Elyse Photography
( Psst: If editorial wedding photography sounds like the style of photography you are looking for, please contact me on my inquiry form HERE. Feel free to also check out my IG @michelleelysephoto. I can’t wait to learn all about you two and your plans! XO Michelle Elyse )
4. Use of Intentionally Blurry Photos (to Artistically Convey the Feeling)
Telling the story of the emotions also includes the ability to artistically portray that emotion in an image. To leap with joy on the dance floor just doesn’t convey as strongly as a still image. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that, but to convey the story of leaping for joy, some motion blur helps to embody that much more strongly in the image.
Intentional and artistic motion blur is more commonly seen with Editorial Wedding Photos. Especially because a wedding day is so full of motion and whimsy. Blurry photos just sum up the essence of certain moments and most accurately conveys that part of the story.
Editorial wedding photos may have some motion blur to tell the story of the emotions of the day and how the moment felt. This intentionally blurry photo encapsulates the wild moments on this dance floor perfectly. Image by Michelle Elyse Photography
5. Good lighting and Editing
Think: images you would be proud to put in a magazine for all to see. Because again, the root of editorial images comes from the magazine world. There is still variance in this, because the lighting should also capture the authentic story of the day and the essence of the individuals’ personalities.
Did the wedding take place in a moody castle in Scotland? Or did it take place on a sunny tropical beach in summer? The photos should be beautiful, but should still be authentic to capturing the real mood and light that was present in the setting. There should also be quality editing that show images and people in their best and most polished way.
When an “editorial” is published in a magazine for all to see… these photos should look good. And whoever is the subject in those photos will of course want to look their very best. So it’s important that the images are taken from their most flattering angles and in the best light.
Magazine worthy lighting and editing combined with natural and relaxed images are a major style indicator of Editorial Wedding Photography. Such as these beautiful newlyweds enjoying some moments alone after their ceremony. Image by Michelle Elyse Photography
6. Natural : Either Unposed or Very Gently Posed
When people inquire with me, I often see the terms editorial and documentary photography used interchangeably. Which makes sense. Because if we’re looking to tell a story, what could be more authentic to that than a documentary approach?
Sure, each wedding usually includes SOME posed photos- for example the family group photos, etc. However, leaving people unposed or giving minimal guidance allows them to most authentically be themselves. And that is where the magic is, in my opinion. 🙂
Candid, documentary style photos that help to tell the story of the day in an elevated way, are part of Editorial Wedding Photography style. Such as this photo of a beamingly joyful bride as she listens to her husbands vows. All images in this post by Michelle Elyse Photography
( Psst: If editorial wedding photography sounds like the style of photography you are looking for, please contact me on my inquiry form HERE. Feel free to also check out my IG @michelleelysephoto. I can’t wait to learn all about you two and your plans! XO Michelle Elyse )
7. Shows off Details / Products
Think high fashion magazine ads. If the root of editorial is in magazines, we can’t ignore really beautiful product photography. In an editorial style, these should be done beautifully and interestingly. In a way that is compelling to look at. Because great ads are the ones that catch your attention. Major publications love to show off eye catching products their readers can buy or recreate.
Eye catching and organic feeling detail shots that honor the personality of the day are hallmark to Editorial Wedding Photographers. Image by Michelle Elyse Photography
8. A Priority on getting published
Some wedding photographers who label themselves as Editorial MAY make a point of getting published more than others. Perhaps they want to attract high end clientele who seek to see their very own wedding grace the pages of a well known blog. Or perhaps they aim to photograph in a style that is considered “magazine-worthy”. This can be discerned simply by looking through their work.
Getting published in magazines may be important to some wedding photographers. Magazines particularly love to showcase photos of details and specialty items that can be marketed to future couples. Image by Michelle Elyse Photography
THE SUMMERY:
Most commonly, an editorial photographer will aim to photograph weddings in a way that is considered “fashion magazine-worthy”. Magazines prefer lifestyle images over stiffly posed. So, editorial photographers will aim to capture portraits that look effortless and natural. The focus will be on perfectly-timed candids, or maybe candids with some gentle guidance. Major publications also love to show off eye catching products their readers can buy or recreate. And, finally, they love to tell the story in their pages and posts that people can read and visually follow along. Elegant images full of genuine emotion are important here. As are photos that set the scene, such as sweeping landscape shots or wide reception shots.
What is NOT Editorial Wedding Photography?
Given the above, I would say that photographers who use stiff poses, poor editing, skip the detail shots, or don’t tell the story of the whole day could not be labeled as editorial wedding photographers, because these sort of images don’t typically make it into magazines and they don’t capture the full scene and story of the day.
Gorgeous detail shots of the decor, fashions, and products of the day are a classic editorial necessity. Thus they are very common in editorial wedding photography. All images by Michelle Elyse Photography
CONCLUSION
To sum it up: who wouldn’t want an editorial wedding photographer? An editorial wedding photographer will have a style of photography which covers a broad variety of images to tell the story of your day. They focus on natural looking portraits and beautiful photos of all the details of the day. For example: stunning scenery shots to set the scene and close up shots of the flowers, reception details, etc. They take photos that look like something you might see in a magazine feature or ad. Most top rated wedding photographers likely have an editorial style. Although not all wedding photographers will describe themselves in this way, and though many may not have the time to submit their images for publishing.
To see some examples of editorial wedding photography full of elegant documentary photography, gently guided candids, and gorgeous detail shots, you can have a look at My Portfolio HERE
CONTACT ME: EDITORIAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
If editorial wedding photography sounds like the style of photography you are looking for, please feel free to contact me on my inquiry form HERE. I can’t wait to learn all about you two and your plans!
Much Love,
Michelle Elyse
@michelleelysephoto
Pics of Interesting details that catch the eye are common in editorials
Editorial photography includes images that display authentic personality in a natural and relaxed way. Image by Michelle Elyse Photography
Sweeping landscapes that set the tone of the day along with photos of the beautiful wedding day decor. Both very big among editorial wedding photographers.
Fashion - Mag inspired detail shots, like this image showcasing sparkley rhinestone bridal shoes are key in editorial photography. Image by Michelle Elyse Photography
