8 Elegant Wedding Photo Book Trends for 2024
Capture your big day with elegance as you learn how candids, color and composition can shape the wedding photo album of your dreams!
Photography is constantly changing. While black and white portraits were popular when our grandparents were children, now anyone can share photos on the world wide web! And, of course, we passionately believe in the magical superpower that photos have to tell stories without words—and the power of printed photo books to connect people—which is why we love exploring exciting new visual storytelling trends.
Here, we've rounded up the hottest wedding photography trends for 2024, according to industry experts—plus our favorite timeless trends that aren't going anywhere, so you can decide on the vibe you want for your wedding photo album and choose a photographer who can nail it.
“As a film photographer deeply rooted in the essence of time and memory, I find the evolving landscape of photography in 2024 both exhilarating and inspiring,” says award-winning Georgia-based photographer Kelsey Smith. “This year, we are witnessing a confluence of timeless techniques and innovative approaches, creating a tapestry of trends that are as diverse as they are fascinating,” he adds.
Get ready to be inspired yourself, and add your own twist to these fun and romantic styles. Your wedding album is about to be legendary!
According to Anna Urban, a wedding photographer known for shooting elopements in Scotland, more and more couples want film photography for their big day: “People are looking for something different,” she told The New York Times in their article on this trend “In the Digital Age, Wedding Film Photography Has a Resurgence.” “The whole process is different. You don’t see the effect until you have them scanned, developed. It’s like part of the magic, waiting for the photos,” she goes on to explain.
California-based photographer Jen Huang Bogan—who has been named one of the top film photographers in the world and featured in numerous prestigious publications such as Harpers Bazaar, Elle, Town & Country and Martha Stewart Weddings—has also made the switch from digital to 35mm: “It wasn’t until shooting weddings where I was like, OK, there’s a striking difference between digital and film,” she says in The New York Times article. “The look of film just vastly outperformed digital,” she adds.
She says she approaches photography “with a romantic, fine art sensibility.” And her “imagery is understated yet evocative, resulting from clear and polished creative direction that elicits light-filled, painterly portraits. My use of fresh and simple composition, and natural light has evolved from a deep love and respect for the old masters - Rembrandt, Vermeer, Botticelli,” she explains on her website—and compares shooting in film to painting with oil: “It really works for weddings and portraiture because it is so natural and also so flattering,” she says.
Once a '90s wedding staple, disposable cameras have recently been spotted all over TikTok at wedding receptions again. “The Y2K era is making a comeback,” Las Vegas-based photographer Gaby Jeter tells Brides. “People love nostalgia, and nothing's more nostalgic than waiting days for photos to develop versus having the image right there on your phone,” she says in the article. Why is this old-school trend coming back around?
After years of more stylized shots, many modern couples are craving more natural, candid memories of their wedding day. Enter disposable cameras, the unsung heroes of vintage vibes! With their grainy, retro charm, they’re perfect for capturing those unposed moments. As Jeter explains, “They allow guests to take candid, spontaneous shots of the wedding and the reception and can add an element of silliness to the event.”
Scatter a few on your reception tables with some cute signs instructing guests where to leave them at the end of the night, and voilà! You'll get a collection of snaps from unique perspectives that your main photographer might miss.
Wedding planner Alexa Kay—who is based in Dallas, TX, and Park City, UT—says she loves the blurred wedding photo aesthetic because it makes an artistic print: “It shows mood, movement, and creativity... It's authentic and imitates a film look which I adore!”
The pros at popular England wedding venue Cowdray House feel blurred wedding photos add a “vintage film-style element to the movement in photos, creating a timeless quality.”
These pictures were shot by UK-based photographer Louise Adby, who says her style is “elegant and romantic, but also embraces the fun and emotional moments that are present throughout your wedding day.”
Hannah Nowack, The Knot's Real Wedding Photo Specialist and Senior Editor, “thinks of documentary/photojournalistic photography as almost an anti-trend because it depicts the wedding in its original form,” she says in a wedding photography trend story on The Knot. "I'm seeing the popularity of true-to-color editing. For years, 'light and airy' and even 'dark and moody' editing styles were popular. But couples want the images to feel like an authentic representation of the day, which is why they're gravitating toward pros who shoot and edit in a way that feels true to life," she explains.
Megan & Kenneth—who describe themselves as “Hudson Valley wedding photographers capturing candid, authentic moments”—write on their website that couples “don’t want to be standing around for hours, posing awkwardly for those perfect shots.” What do they want instead? “Wedding photos and videography that [they] can look back on and share with friends and family, reminding everyone just how awesome [their] wedding day was… to remember [their] day just as it happened and have [their] photos remind [them] of that.”
Brianna Lane, a luxury wedding photographer serving the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin, who shoots “artistic imagery for rad romantics” explains on her blog that there are two different types of style: “There’s editing style, meaning which colors the photos turn out to be, and capturing style, which is more about what goes into taking the photo. A photographer can draw inspiration from many of these different styles and mix them to create their own unique style. I, myself, would say my style is artistic/creative photojournalism (capturing style) with bold and vibrant, true-to-life colors (editing style).”
“This is the style that got me all excited about starting wedding photography. There’s no BS, no fuss, no stress. Just authentically capturing the day as it unfolds. Finding all the quirky moments that make your day so unique and you. To be able to document the day photojournalistic-ly takes more skill than you think. Having that creative edge and artistic eye, the photographer will be able to get different and artistic angels to help tell the story differently than if you were just taking snapshots. The majority of the photos you will get are candid, and a true representation of what went down on your wedding day,” explains Lane.
Direct flash photos require flash aimed at a subject, which gives off a cool and candid paparazzi vibe. This high-contrast, in-your-face trend is an extension of the documentary/photojournalistic style and is all the rage at Gen Z weddings right now. Because who doesn't want to feel like they’re living the high life, caught by the paparazzi, walking into their reception?
There's no denying that technology is everywhere, and drones are now flying high at weddings too! Hire a pro drone photographer and your wedding album will literally soar. Imagine aerial shots of your circular ceremony, creative portraits from above, or your wedding party arranged into a heart. Just remember, drones can be expensive and noisy, so use them before or after the ceremony to avoid buzzkill moments. And always check with your venue about their drone policy—some places aren't keen on flying objects (this includes local ordinances)!
The wedding veil—one of the most iconic parts of a wedding attire, if you choose to wear one—is your secret weapon for standout photos. Whether it’s billowing in the wind or creating a cozy moment for you and your new spouse, veil shots are both fun and timeless. This isn't a new trend, but it’s making a stylish comeback, especially with long veils. So, don't be shy—get close and personal with your beloved for some intimate, unforgettable snaps. Remember, your wedding photos aren’t just pictures; they’re memories with a side of dramatic flair!
Award-winning Welsh wedding photographer Stacey Oliver says there are several reasons black and white photography is trending again. First, it can be “atmospheric, stylish, and artistic” and “stands out amongst color photos.” Also, “there’s often something very moving about black and white photography, and it can perfectly capture raw emotion… without the distraction of color you can often see details more clearly: a tear in the eye, or a proud smile. Black and white photography can often feel more ‘real’ and as if you are there in the moment,” she explains. Plus, it’s timeless and flattering, she adds.
Even if you choose to have the majority of your wedding photos in color, Oliver suggests choosing to include one or two black and white images in your wedding photo album. “I’ve found that these are often the images that my couples choose as their main ‘hero’ photo to have framed on their wall,” she adds.
And there you have it! The top wedding photography trends for 2024 that will make your wedding album the envy of all your married friends. Whether you're into the vintage charm of 35mm film photography, the drama of a moody style, romantic under-the-veil shots, or want to experiment with blurred images, direct flash and drones, there's something for everyone. Hopefully, this list has sparked some inspiration for your big day.
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