You just got engaged!! Now it's time to start planning. You scroll and scroll on Instagram looking for wedding photographers, or your friend knows someone who would do your pictures at a discount. You get lost in the abundance of options and can't decide. Let's help you narrow down your options and pick someone that is perfect for what you want.

Some popular styles you will see as you search are posed, candid, and documentary. This is the first step in your decision-making process. Then that brings you to colors. Do you like your photos to look moody, light and airy, clean, or Film-like. Most photographers are going to fall into these categories of style and color.

You are probably thinking, what does this stuff mean and how is this going to help? Once you narrow down what style and color you like it will narrow down your search options and book someone that fits your vibe.

Style

This is all about the time that the photos are taken. Do you want someone that is going to mold you for a shot or make you jump in circles. I am not saying these styles are cut and dry, but they are categorized for a reason.

Posed

This is an example of a posed photo. This approach has been common for years and is a solid go to for those magazine style photos. It may be uncomfortable at first as the photographer fixes you into a pose as an artist molds clay. Trust me, they know what they are doing, and the photos will look amazing. This does require some patience, as some shots may not look exactly right to the photographer insisting on slight movements that make a big difference. This photo style is going to portray Elegance and Class over emotion in most cases.

Candid

Oh, look at this wonderful moment that was captured above. When you get your photos back from a candid photographer, that's what you will be saying. I want to let you in on a secret... the best candid photos are usually posed. *GASP* Don't worry, there is a distinct difference between candid and posed. When I say they are posed it is a very different meaning. The photographer may have you do a task with your spouse that creates candid moments. These photos capture more emotion as the photographer captures your mid-laugh expression at a joke your spouse just told you. This will be a more relaxed environment as the photo session is all about the fun of the couple.

Documentary

Documentary and candid styles are like siblings, very similar but also different. In my opinion, documentary is the true candid. The best way to spot a documentary photographer is to look at one of their photos... does it look like it could be a screenshot from a movie, then you most likely found one. These photographers are very observant to fine details and small moments. It is definitely a different style of wedding photography, but if you find a creative good at it, they usually produce very unique photos.

Colors

Some may not know what I mean when I say colors, or some may already know what they like. I said before, style is when the picture is being taken, color is what happens after the photo is taken. You have two candid photographers that take the same picture, after they edit, they can look completely different. That's color. So, I chose the same picture and used different color to show you the difference, to find what best fits you.

Moody

Moody colors are going to be a bit deeper. you may see things like desaturated colors, or something of a faded look. This style is popularly pair with candid and documentary photographers. The photos often portray a soft feel to them, less busy with colors. Everyone has their different take on moody editing, but most of it is similar to the example above.

Light & Airy

Just like the name portrays, the photos are going to be a bit brighter and pack a punch of light. You often see these colors paired with a posed or candid photographer. light and airy editing is similar to that film look but not all the way there. As you see in the picture, things are a bit brighter. Just like moody, every light and airy photographer has a different color scheme but the same general idea.

Clean

Good Clean, natural colors may be what you are searching for in a photographer. These colors are often paired with posed photographers. This color is similar to what you would see with your eyes, or is it? When you see a clean photo, it does look natural in color, but there is a lot of work by the photographer to achieve that.

Film/Film-Like

Film cameras produce amazing colors out of camera, a good tell of a film photo is blue-looking greens and sometimes red-looking oranges. This color look is often paired with candid and documentary photographers. Like moody photos, you will see that faded look in the blacks, but without the contrast. Film and Film-like photos may also contain some grain. I like to imagine it in the way that if the image could speak to me, it would have a gravelly voice.

Moody Film

This is a personal favorite and a mix between film and moody, this one is a bit more unique and I feel underused. Film colors typically make greens more blue and give a peachy feel to skin tones. Unlike film these typically do not have the grain on them, but like moody photos, they have that deep contrast of colors. More of a niche editing style to like but it can give your photos an interesting look.

So did you see something you liked. This may help you narrow your options. Let's say you like the candid style and the moody look; you can search for candid moody photographers instead of just wedding photographers. You may also find someone that does a mix of a few styles and tries new things. What you choose though will directly influence how your photos will look. Lastly, don't choose someone just because their pictures look nice, make sure they have a personality to make you comfortable while taking the photos, but that's a talk for another time.