Choosing an Aesthetic for your Wedding Photography

You’ve booked the venue, picked the dress, and curated the playlist that’ll make everyone cry. With all the major decisions handled, it's time to focus on the one detail that will last a lifetime: the photos.

If wedding photography is the art of storytelling, then editing is the language that shapes the memory. Your photographer’s processing style, whether it be warm and romantic tones or crisp, true-to-life colors, completely dictates how future you feels and relives your wedding day.

The problem? Most couples don't think about the editing style until after the photos are delivered.

Our end goal? To help you land the perfect photos BEFORE the photos are even taken.

What “Editing Style” Really Means

Editing isn’t just about slapping on a filter and calling it a day. It’s about how a photographer brings consistency, mood, and emotion to your images after the wedding day. Two photographers can shoot the same moment, and deliver completely different results depending on how they edit.

Here's an example of a birthday party shot in Brooklyn Park this October:

Think of editing as the seasoning to your favorite dish. Too much, and it’s overpowering. Too little, and it’s bland. The right balance is everything.

Here are a few of the most common editing styles you’ll see in modern wedding photography:

True to Life (Clean & Classic)

This is the gold standard for timelessness. In this approach, colors are rendered precisely as they appeared on the day: whites look white, deep greens look deep green, and skin tones are natural and authentic. This style avoids heavy trends and is the perfect choice for couples who want classic, natural memories that will never feel dated.

Warm & Moody

Defined by golden highlights, deep shadows, and rich, emotional saturation, this style feels immediately cinematic and intimate. It’s designed to evoke a sense of cozy romance and atmosphere. If you love images that feel dramatic, painterly, and full of powerful depth, embracing this aesthetic will infuse a stunning emotional richness into your story.

Bright & Airy

This style is the epitome of light, soft, and romantic photography. It favors pastel tones, open compositions, and maximum natural light to create a feeling of effortless joy. If your wedding vision screams “sun-drenched garden party” or “effortlessly elegant,” the bright and airy look will perfectly capture that lighthearted mood.

Editorial & Modern

Bold, fashion-forward, and often minimalist. This style features clean lines, graphic compositions, and dramatic lighting to create images that look like they belong in a luxury magazine. It’s ideal for couples who prioritize structure, high style, and a sophisticated, contemporary edge.

Film-Inspired / Fine Art

This aesthetic is characterized by dreamy tones, subtle grain, and a soft, nostalgic quality; the buttery look that comes from shooting (or skillfully emulating) classic film stock. It offers a beautiful vintage charm and a timeless, emotional texture that appeals to couples seeking a handcrafted, elegant feel.

While most photographers lean into one of these five core categories, the real magic often happens in the subtle blend of these styles.

Why Communicating Style Matters

Your photographer isn’t just capturing what your day looked like; they’re capturing how it felt. But they can only translate that emotion into images if they understand your visual language.

When couples & photographers fail to communicate with each other their editing preferences early on, you risk a dangerous disconnect: a moment of disappointment where the final gallery doesn't match the vision you had in your head. This gap leads to second-guessing and can sour the entire reveal.

The greatest risk arises when a photographer offers a diverse portfolio but the couple fails to narrow down a specific visual language. If you expected a bright and airy style but received warm and moody tones, the resulting disappointment requires time-consuming re-edits, which delays you from receiving your final cherished memories.

How to Communicate Your Style (Without Feeling Like a Control Freak)

1. Build a Visual Mood Board
   Pinterest is your best friend here. Collect 10–15 photos that feel right to you. They don’t have to be from weddings, they can be editorial shoots, nature photos, or even movie stills. A good photographer can read between the lines and see what draws you in (light, emotion, color palette, etc.).
2. Use Real Words
   When you talk to your photographer, avoid vague phrases like “vintage but modern” or “natural but dramatic.” Try describing what you like instead: “I love soft shadows,” or “I want my photos to feel warm and timeless.”
3. Ask to See Full Galleries
   Don’t rely on Instagram grids. Ask your photographer to show you full wedding galleries that match the look you’re going for. That’ll give you a clear sense of what your full collection might feel like.
4. Trust the Professional
   A great photographer won’t copy another artist’s edit, but they will interpret your taste through their creative lens. That’s what you’re hiring them for.

How Faux Creative Approaches Editing

For us, editing is where we bring the emotion of your day to life. It’s the final step where the magic truly happens!

We make sure your final gallery feels 100% you by taking a completely personalized approach:

1. We talk first: We chat with you before the wedding to figure out the exact tone, texture, and emotional energy you want your photos to have.
2. We match you: Our team includes different photographers who specialize in different unique styles, matching you with the perfect editor whose vision aligns with yours.

We want your images to tell your story beautifully for decades to come.

Bonus Tip: Keep Photo and Video Under One Roof

If you’re booking both photo and video for your wedding, working with the same company for both can be a game-changer. When your photo and video teams collaborate under one creative direction, you get a unified look across every frame.

At Faux Creative, our photographers and videographers are literally the same guys.  That means your photos and videos won’t just look good individually… they’ll look beautiful as a collection.

No weird color shifts between clips and photos, no clashing tones or editing styles, just one cohesive aesthetic that feels intentional and beautifully connected. Because your wedding deserves to look like one story, not two separate productions.

So, what’s your vision?

Let’s talk about it!

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