Here are the top 20 wedding photography industry trends in Canada and the US.
1 Pre Wedding Photo Shoots
Brides want to enjoy their special day, so they often book a photo shoot before their big day. Want to know the best part? They even buy a wedding gown for the shoot. While this started as a trend in the Chinese and South Asian marriages, it is catching up rapidly in western nuptials.
Chart 1 (above): Bride and Grooms searches for Pre Wedding Photo shoots increased in the last 5 years.
Interestingly, the Chinese spend up to 25% of their budget on a pre-wedding photo shoot that features several dresses, makeup and hairstyles. Often the couples fly to Paris, London, and other famous destinations to do a high-end fashion kind of shoot.
In Toronto and Vancouver, the recent influx of Chinese immigrants is shaping the wedding photography industry and I see this becoming mainstream in the future. The pre-wedding photo shoots become elaborate productions that cost tens of thousands of dollars.
2 Destination Elopements
In the last 12 months, many couples have inquired about destination elopements. This is confirmed by the rapid ascent of the number of Google searches for the term “elopement” in the past five years.
Chart 2 (above): Google Searches for the term “Elopement” increased in the last 5 years.
The chart above shows the rising trend in the following countries: United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland.
3 Unplugged Wedding Ceremonies
Couples want photographers to capture their guests’ reactions and not the latest iPhone models covering their faces. As such, we often see the DJ or officiant requesting that the guests do not use cameras during the wedding ceremony.
What’s the bottom line? Enjoy the ceremony and take all the selfies you want later.
4 Drone Photography and Videography
While in many cities in US and Canada drones usage is strictly regulated (Toronto is one of them), more and more couples bring their own drone on the wedding day, especially on destination marriages and elopements.
Also, rustic weddings in remote areas are the perfect setting for dramatic drone shots.
Image courtesy of Photography by Calin – www.bycalin.com
5 Same Day Edits
Many couples ask about the possibility of offering a same day slideshow with images from the photo shoot. Do you want to know the best part? Once couples discuss this during the initial consultation, they realize they don’t want us to miss moments while processing the photos for the same day slideshow. Now, what will you want in 30 years? To see a photo of your grandmother crying at your wedding or have a slideshow with 30 partially edited images run during the reception?
6 Teasers
Next day teasers are also something couples desire. We are talking about 10-20 edited wedding pictures that couples share on social media and most photographers can include them in their wedding photography packages.
7 Vanity Fair Like Images
Long gone are the days when the wedding party was looking at the camera. You know, the deer in the headlights shot. These days the wedding party wants fun, original, entertaining images. But wait, as it gets better!
8 Smoke Bombs
To keep the wedding party entertained and add colour to the engagement or the couples’ wedding albums, some photographers always bring smoke bombs to the photo shoot.
You know the best thing? Smoke bombs helped photographers capture those amazingly candid moments couples absolutely love!
Image courtesy of Photography by Calin – www.bycalin.com
9 Photojournalistic Coverage
While in the past wedding couples were fine with posed shots, things have changed. Today’s bride wants candid photography, and photojournalism (pure or assisted) becomes mainstream. Here is the secret: 70-80% of photos are candid and Here is the kicker! Can you believe in the past photographers would pose couples even during the wedding ceremonies?
10 Engagement Shoots in Dramatic Locations
Closely related to the previous trend, couples with larger budgets have engagement shoots in places like Iceland, Death Valley (US) or Santorini (Grece). Many of the US couples fly to Toronto to have their multi day engagement photo shoot at some popular locations in the GTA.
11 Mirrorless Cameras
Here is a secret! Many photographers switched from DSLRs to mirrorless and never looked back. Now, this is the crazy part: the small mirrorless cameras are so good and unobtrusive that the professionals get way more candid photos than ever before. Kids and guests rarely notice the pros holding the small cameras, and they catch the best candid moments.
To preserve the photo journalistic feel of the images, artists usually apply a black and white processing. We even saw an entire photographer’s portfolio composed of black and white wedding pictures.
Image courtesy of Photography by Calin – www.bycalin.com
12 Dramatic Locations and Imagery
Couples don’t care so much about the elaborate wedding cakes and feather centrepieces and prefer multi day engagement shoots in dramatic locations. In Toronto, such places are Scarborough bluffs, Polson Pier, etc. For more affluent couples, Iceland, Paris and Italy are destinations that boast splendid backdrops.
13 Today’s Bride Does not Care about Wedding Albums
Many professionals will tell you that the brides care more about their wedding gown than her album. Many couples never pick up their wedding album once they receive their high-resolution images on a USB memory stick.
Chart 3 (above): Google Searches for the term “wedding album” dropped dramatically in the last 5 years.
You can see this in the chart above showing the drop in the “wedding album” search term in the last five years. US is the 16th country in the world for google “wedding album” searches. Canada follows on the 17th place. Here are the top 10 countries where wedding albums are still important. If you want to print your own album, please visit pikto.com
14 Top 10 Countries Where Couples Are Looking for Albums
- Sri Lanka
- India
- Pakistan
- Singapore
- Philippines
- United Arab Emirates
- Malaysia
- South Africa
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
15 First Look
The first look is a magnificent opportunity for me to capture candid photos of the bride and groom before the wedding ceremony. You know something? Often those shots end up being the ones couples love the most.
One of the recent trends is the father and daughter first look. Because brides take good care of their dresses before the ceremony, most of the time the unveiling happens indoors. Even more important than the pictures, the first look allows couples to spend time together on the best day of their lives.
16 Fun is King!
Here is the secret on how to have a perfect special day: keep it simple and fun and don’t worry about protocols and ancient traditions. Recently I did a Catholic ceremony where the groom walked down the aisle on the rhythm of “I Feel Good!”
Along the same line, photo booths are becoming omnipresent during wedding receptions. Do you know the best part? Photo booths are amazing opportunities for us to take candid photos of your guests!
17 Brides and Grooms Pay for Everything
In the past, it was the parents buying everything from the wedding dress to professional photography. You know something? Those days are over! The modern bride wants to be in control and make sure she likes what she buys.
Image courtesy of Photography by Calin – www.bycalin.com
18 Original, Creative Imagery
New original ideas win couples’ hearts. Lately we noticed brides asking for a list of original concepts. You know the secret? Nobody wants cookie cutter shots that make your wedding look like everyone else’s.
19 Filmic Look
Film processing is one of the latest trends. Here is the kicker: the beauty of filmic images (either colour or black and white) they are timeless. Images processed to look like film are classic and have “soul.” Here is my promise: fifty years from now, you will still love your pictures, they will look amazing.
20 Wedding Photographers Become Trusted Advisors
Wedding photographers’ role is more important than ever. Because couples book their photographer one or even two years before their event, the artists help brides and grooms plan their big day from choosing a stunning wedding dress to finding various vendors and photography locations. It gets better!
With their huge experience, professional photographers are instrumental in finalizing the wedding day itinerary. This is crazy, but we even heard of photographers choosing the cakes for the wedding couples!
21 Social Media is Here to Stay
Social media has a massive impact on wedding photography, from finding a photographer to sharing the images. Recently, quite a few couples hired me through social media. Do you see how huge this is?
These days, brides become familiar with photographer portfolios and style via social media. Also, most couples have their own hashtag and ask guests to publish images using the #bridegroom hashtag. Brides and grooms are extremely well informed when it comes to wedding photography, and social media is becoming more important than ever.
22 Selfie Stick
Selfies with the bride and the infamous selfie stick are one of the latest trends in the industry. Both the bridal party and guests become “professional photographers” during the big day with the help of selfie sticks and cell phones.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, here are the top 20 trends in wedding photography these days:
1 Pre wedding photo shoots
2 Destination elopements
3 Unplugged wedding ceremonies
4 Drone wedding photography and videography
5 Same day edits
6 Teasers
7 Vanity Fair group photographs
8 Smoke Bombs
9 Photojournalistic photography style
10 Dramatic locations
11 Mirrorless cameras
12 Dramatic lighting and imagery
13 Print wedding albums are insignificant versus digital albums
14 First look
15 Fun images
16 Couple pays for the wedding
17 Original, creative images
18 Filmic look
19 Wedding photographer as a consultant
20 Social media is still big
In conclusion, there are many trends in the wedding photography industry and some will never go away. We are looking at you social media!
FAQs
Q: What are the top wedding photography trends for 2023?
A: According to industry experts, the top wedding photography trends for 2023 include embracing candid and authentic imagery, different perspectives and points of view, aerial shots taken by drones, and adding an element of fun or whimsical touch to photoshoots.
Q: What is the difference between a posed and candid wedding photo?
A: A posed wedding photo is typically orchestrated by the photographer, whereas a candid photo captures natural moments and emotions as they occur during the wedding.
Q: Are blurry photos becoming popular in wedding photography?
A: Yes, blurry photos are gaining popularity among couples looking for more natural and authentic imagery that captures the joy of the day.
Q: Do wedding photographers use direct flash?
A: Yes, direct flash is a technique that is often used in wedding photography to brighten and add depth to photos taken in low-light conditions.
Q: Why are drone shots becoming more popular in wedding photography?
A: Drone shots offer a unique aerial perspective and can capture stunning landscapes or wide-angle photos of the wedding venue.
Q: What is a photo session?
A: A photo session is a designated period of time during the wedding day when the photographer takes posed and candid photos of the couple, wedding party, and guests.
Q: How can couples personalize their wedding photos?
A: Couples can personalize their wedding photos by incorporating props, choosing unique locations or backdrops, and even creating a shot list of specific photos they want to capture.
Q: Are nighttime wedding photos becoming more popular?
A: Yes, nighttime wedding photos are gaining popularity as they can capture the romantic ambiance of the event, including fairy lights, candles, and other lighting elements.
Q: What are some natural moments that wedding photographers try to capture?
A: Wedding photographers aim to capture natural joy, laughter, and emotion, as well as candid moments shared between the couple and their guests.
Q: Can guests take photos during the wedding?
A: Yes, many couples embrace guest photography and provide unique hashtags for their guests to use on social media platforms. This way, guests can share their own perspective and create even more memories of the day.
New wedding photography trends are expected to focus on capturing more candid moments and personalizing photos taken. There will also be an increased use of drones to take photos from new heights and provide guests with unique views of the ceremony.
Q: Will traditional portrait photos still be popular?
A: Yes, capturing posed and staged photos will always be a part of wedding photography. However, modern wedding photography includes blending traditional portraits with candid shots to create a well-rounded photo gallery.
Q: Is film photography making a comeback in wedding photography?
A: Yes, film photography is becoming increasingly popular among wedding photographers. This trend is due to the unique and timeless look of film photos.
Q: Are disposable cameras still being used at weddings?
A: Disposable cameras are still being used at weddings, particularly as a fun way for guests to capture blurry and candid moments on the dance floor.
Q: What is the latest wedding photography trend for photo booths?
A: The latest trend for photo booths is to incorporate props that match the overall wedding design, as well as offering options for personalized prints for guests to take home.
Q: How can flash photography be used effectively in wedding photography?
A: Direct flash can be used to create a dramatic effect in certain situations, while bounce flash can provide softer lighting. However, it’s important to use flash appropriately and not overdo it.
Q: How can wedding photographers capture real moments without disrupting the flow of events?
A: Great wedding photographers can capture real moments without disrupting the flow of events by being unobtrusive, anticipating moments, and using a candid approach.
Q: Is Pinterest influencing wedding photography trends?
A: Yes, Pinterest is a major influencer in wedding photography trends. Couples often use Pinterest boards for inspiration and photographers can use this to their advantage by creating visually appealing images that fit with popular wedding themes.
Q: Can drone photography be used in wedding photography?
A: Yes, drone photography is becoming increasingly popular in wedding photography for capturing unique views of the wedding venue and ceremony. However, it’s important to ensure that the use of drones is safe and doesn’t disrupt the wedding events or guests.
Q: How can wedding photographers ensure that the couple enjoys their day while still getting great photos?
A: The key is for wedding photographers to be organized, efficient, and unobtrusive. This allows the couple to enjoy their day while the photographer captures real and special moments throughout the wedding events.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many trends in the wedding photography industry and some will never go away. We are looking at you social media!
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