2026 Wedding Photography Trends
The 2026 wedding photography trends are here!
Here are the cliff notes of what I think we will see more of in 2026.
Documentary-style wedding coverage
Hybrid film and digital packages
Portrait stations instead of photo booths
Pricing transparency
Flash photography
Fashion details
True to color editing
Less drama, more fun
Fisheye photography
Related: 2025 Wedding Photography Trends
Read more below!
Documentary-style coverage
Hour long portrait sessions with stiff posing is out. 2026 couples are mostly looking for what is mostly called documentary. Documentary-style wedding photography emphasizes candid moments while still capturing portraits in a more relaxed manner. Authenticity is a big word in 2026, documentary wedding photographers are less hands on and more going with the flow of the day.
Hybrid Film and Digital photography packages
Although film photography is by no means just making its mark on weddings in 2026, there are more and more photographers who shoot hybrid film and digital. In previous years, photographers would often offer film photography as an add-on item in their packages. In 2026, film photos are just a part of the package as it’s so massively popular amongst couples. This also ties into the notion of authentic wedding photography. I think couples pair film and authenticity better than digital photography.
Portrait stations
The iPad photo booth with sequin backdrops and cheesy props is out! Say hello to more experiential portrait stations where a photographer guides the guests and takes the photos instead of the guests just pressing a button.
Transparency
According to a recent article by the Wedding Report — 90% of wedding planning happens online and 78% of couples say pricing is the most important factor when looking for vendors. Furthermore, many couples say that they do not reach out to schedule a call if a photographer does not have any pricing available on their website. 2026 couples are not avoiding human connection, they are just delaying it, and wanting to qualify vendors before reaching out.
Flash Photography
The paparazzi style on-camera flash trend came back last year and it is here to stay. This trend also ties into the authentic photography style couples are looking for. Couples think simple lighting setups result in more truthful coverage.
Fashion Details
This trend is kind of a byproduct of documentary wedding photography. Photographers are now including more candid details from the wedding day in their galleries. This means there are fewer requests for highly stylized flat lay detail photos and more requests for detail photos, captured on the fly. Think of a photo of a guest’s handbag, a tattoo, or a guest holding the couples’ signature cocktail, while in conversation during cocktail hour.
True to Color editing
Wedding photography editing styles can broadly be put into three categories.
Light and airy
True to color
Dark and moody
Under these umbrella terms are more styles but let’s stick with these for now. Light and airy photographers will capture and deliver images that are brighter and typically less saturated than what I we see with our eyes. Dark and moody editing emphasizes deep shadows and is typically warmer toned that what we see with our eyes. True to color aims to replicate what our eyes see. Seeing a trend here with authenticity?
Less drama, more fun
I imagine all couples want this for their wedding day! That’s pretty much a given. But when it comes to photos, I’ve noticed my clients are more and more sending me mood boards of laughing couples. Images that are posed to a degree but seem to have a candid element to them.
Fisheye lenses
This might not take off fully in 2026 but hear me out. Notice how teenagers and young adults are using the 0.5 zoom mode on iPhones to replicate the fisheye lens effect. Fisheye photography is coming back from the 90s in fashion photography as we speak and I think it’s only a matter of time before you start seeing 180 degree photos on your favorite wedding photographers Instagram grid.
