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Are you a wedding photographer who wants to give your clients an unforgettable experience? Then, you’re at the right place; this blog will help you discover the top photography editing trends 2023 that are taking over the wedding photography scene. With emerging technology and social media, photography trends are evolving quickly. It's no longer just about great photos! Clients are looking for creativity and authenticity on their special day. The latest photo trends focus on a more natural look, with gorgeous color tones that depict the events as they unfold. Being aware of and incorporating top photography trends into your work can set you apart and make your wedding photography stand out. Keep reading to stay ahead of the game and exceed your clients' expectations!

5 Popular Wedding Photography Editing Trends 2023

Photography editing trends 2023 are bringing a beautiful blend of both traditional techniques and innovative technologies. From the resurgence of film photography for a vintage feel to the use of drone wedding photography for a new perspective, there are endless possibilities for creative freedom and experimentation. Self-portrait photography is becoming increasingly important. Moreover, utilizing a photo editing app opens up endless options to experiment with various textures and styles.

Wedding photography is undergoing a transformation as well, with cultural shifts and changing client preferences and styles. Couples today are opting for natural, whimsical vibes that perfectly capture their love. Whether it is a backyard or destination wedding, photography editing techniques are all about creating that specific vibe in visually stunning photographs during post-production. Stay ahead of the game with these photography editing trends 2023 dominating the industry.

1. Light, Bright, And Airy

Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @sarafrance

Light and airy is one of the evergreen styles in photography editing and is probably here to stay for eons. This editing trend is about enhanced contrast and pink tones, giving photos an almost overly bright look. 

This style is one of the most popular trends on Instagram and is largely driven by the rise of social media platforms. Photos are edited to increase the overall brightness and contrast while also lowering the saturation levels to create a softer look. In addition to being visually appealing, this editing style is also flattering for subjects, as it can help reduce the appearance of blemishes and imperfections in the subject matter. Whether you're looking to capture couples’ portrait photography or a romantic outdoor ceremony setting, this editing style is ideal for creating a fairytale-inspired wedding theme.

2. Desaturated Editing Style

The desaturated editing style involves reducing the overall saturation of colors in an image, characterized by muted colors and soft tones, giving the images a natural and earthy feel. This editing style from the popular editing trends 2023 uses earthy-toned filters that can create a down-to-earth look and feel while still emphasizing the beauty and details of the wedding day. With more couples being open to different wedding photography ideas, this natural-feel editing technique is great for couples who want to add a twist to the overall feel of a wedding photo gallery.

Suggested Read: Unique Wedding Photography Inspiration

3. Moody Black And White Style

Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @erinm_photography 

Many people associate black-and-white photographs with candid or photojournalistic wedding photography styles. We couldn’t agree more because these photos are all about the story behind the shot! This timeless editing style adds a layer of sophistication and elegance to photos that clients love. A high-contrast black-and-white photo tends to be dramatic and eye-catching and helps to highlight details that might be lost in a lower-contrast photo. The contrast between the light and dark shadows or tones creates an atmosphere of drama and romance, making the photos stand out and bringing a candid moment to life, especially those that aim to capture emotions. The first look with the parents or the groom, the father-daughter dance, the toast, or capturing other emotional moments will help you narrate the story better in black and white. You can achieve your desired dark and moody edit by adjusting levels or curves in image editing software. 

4. Film-Inspired Editing

Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @olsondesignphotography

Film-inspired wedding photo editing trends are creating quite a stir in the wedding photography world. This style aims to give the wedding day photos an artistic, vintage look that oozes romance and nostalgia. It is characterized by deep tones, creamy highlights, and overall soft, warm hues. To achieve this, you need to pay close attention to editing options for color grading, texture, and contrast, creating the perfect blend of highlights and shadows. Film simulation presets and filters can be used to achieve this look, creating a grainless and authentic finish to your images. You can also try using techniques like double exposure to create unique, dreamy shots that transport the viewer to another place and time.

Suggested Read: Intentional Blur Photography Techniques

5. HDR Photo Editing

Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @photography_by_orlando

If you're looking to stay on top of photography editing trends 2023, then mastering HDR photography should be one of your priorities. Achieved by combining multiple exposures of the same scene into one final image, the resulting photo has greater detail and clarity than a single exposure, making it ideal for capturing the beauty of a wedding day. HDR wedding photography creates a unique look that sets HDR photos apart from traditional unedited photos.

This style works best with interior, landscape, or nature photography but can often be used for group wedding photos with bright colors and an increased sense of depth and dimensionality. The increased detail and vibrant colors can give the photos an almost surreal image quality, which can be incredibly beautiful.

Wedding Photography Trends 2023 

Wedding photography trends in 2023 are all about capturing the unique and special moments of a couple's big day. From micro weddings to outrageous cakes, here are some of the top wedding photography trends for 2023.

1. Classic bridal gowns: This trend documents the timeless elegance of traditional wedding dresses.
   
   
2. First look with parents: It captures the emotional reactions of parents seeing their child in their wedding attire for the first time.
   
   
3. Candid moments: This aims to document the unscripted, genuine moments between the couple and their guests.
   
   
4. Festivities with pets: This trend encourages couples to include their beloved furry friends in celebrations and photographs for added sentimentality.
   
   
5. Environmental portraits: These incorporate natural surroundings and landscapes into couple portraits for a more dramatic effect.
   
   
6. Unique decor elements/patterns: This trend highlights a couple’s distinctive decor elements, from unique seating or floral arrangements to linen and lighting for dynamic and interesting shots.
   
   
7. Outrageous cakes: It features extravagant and unique wedding cakes as statement pieces in reception photos.
   
   
8. Pre-ceremony cocktails: This includes capturing all the fun and excitement of guests enjoying drinks before the ceremony.
   
   
9. Charcuterie spreads: This showcases beautifully arranged food spreads as focal points in reception photos.
   
   
10. Incorporating movement: The aim is to capture motion and energy through techniques like long exposures and action shots.
    
    
11. First dance smoke bombs: In this trend, colorful smoke bombs are used to create a dreamy and vivid scene to document the couple's first dance.
    
    
12. Drone photography: This incorporates the use of drone technology to capture stunning aerial shots of the wedding venue and surrounding landscape.
    
    
13. Mirror reflections: In this trend, creative and artistic compositions of wedding images are created using mirrors and reflective surfaces.
    
    
14. Underwater portraits: This trend takes adventurous couples beneath the surface for unique and breathtaking underwater shots.
    
    
15. Backlit silhouettes: It involves using backlighting techniques to create striking, dramatic silhouettes of the couple.

Wedding photographers are skillfully adapting to the ever-evolving trends and customizations that couples meticulously plan for their special day. By incorporating photography tips and techniques and mastering various lighting conditions, photographers can enhance the storytelling aspect of their images while celebrating the love and individuality of each couple within the context of their carefully planned and executed wedding theme. Some of these include the following:

1. Garden party: This photography trend captures elegant outdoor celebrations with lush floral arrangements, delicate linens, and charming vintage touches.
   
   
2. Fairytale romance: It highlights the dreamy, enchanting ambiance with opulent décor, grand chandeliers, and luxurious fabrics.
   
   
3. Country chic: This trend incorporates rustic elements, wooden accents, and cozy textiles for a warm, inviting, and down-to-earth celebration.
   
   
4. Sustainable and eco-friendly: It documents environmentally-conscious choices like locally-sourced materials, reusable décor, and green initiatives of the celebration.
   
   
5. Boho chic: It embraces natural elements, whimsical decorations, and a relaxed aesthetic for a laid-back, romantic vibe.
   
   
6. Cultural fusion: It celebrates a couple's diverse backgrounds by incorporating elements from their respective cultures, traditions, and customs.
   
   
7. Tropical paradise: It incorporates vibrant colors, lush greenery, and exotic flowers for a beachy, island-inspired celebration.
   
   
8. Minimalist modern: This trend focuses on clean lines, neutral color palettes, and simple, understated décor for a sleek, contemporary look.
   
   
9. Vintage glamor: It channels the elegance and sophistication of bygone eras with antique accents, heirloom pieces, and classic fashion.

Further Read: Upcoming Photography Workshops And Conferences: 2022 & 2023

To keep up with these hottest photography trends and ever-evolving social networks, photographers and content creators today are looking for ways to make their wedding photographs social media friendly, i.e., Instagram photo ready! Be it using film cameras to capture moments with a unique and vintage feel or using filters to reflect one’s unique style, as a professional photographer, you need to stay up-to-date with evolving photography trends! Clients appreciate trending styles and captivating photographs, so why not give them just that? Create a photography rebranding strategy for your business, or add some flare to your existing post-production process. Your clients and your business will thank you for it!