When it comes to creative wedding photography, it’s all about the fine balance of originality, timelessness and couples’ unique personalities.

In this article, we discuss creative wedding photography with the best European wedding photographers. They share creative wedding photo ideas they’ve realized, their take on must-have wedding shots, modern wedding photography trends and tips for original wedding photos.

Original wedding photo ideas tested by professionals

To start, we asked the best wedding photographers in Europe about some of the most unique wedding shots they’ve captured.

Maria Salgueiro from Mulher Photography vividly remembers the work done at Pousada de Amares at Sonia and Sunil's wedding. Due to their way of being as individuals and as a couple, the way they approach art, and the creative freedom given, the result was incredibly artistic and timeless, with a great and truly emotional feeling.

So much for the old and dirty ladder used to contrast with the sobriety of the Pousada de Amares and the elegance of the bride and groom. As in the artistic inspiration of the bride in Magritte's painting "The Lovers", as well as the light captured in certain moments of the session and the presence of the bride and groom themselves in those moments.

In May 2023, Teresa Hirschel had the privilege of documenting a truly unique wedding at the historic Claerchens Ballhaus in Berlin, Germany, renowned as the oldest ball house in the country. Immersed in the venue's timeless charm and history, capturing the atmosphere of this celebration was a remarkable experience for her. From the ballroom's architecture to the subtle nuances in the small details, every element contributed to emotional photographs.

Magda and Marcel from Wedding Voyagers admit that it's challenging for them to pinpoint a specific photo or photo series. They say the most unique pictures are those where the couple can completely immerse themselves in the moment and atmosphere, be themselves, and enjoy the moment. Whether during the couple's shoot or throughout the wedding day. They love it when couples do their thing, starting with the setup and decoration, outfits, dress code or schedule of the wedding.

And, of course, it's noteworthy when there's a fascinating light in the location that photographers can work with. For example, when the light highlights specific elements like parts of the table setting or creates a stunning spot for couple shots or family portraits. Especially at weddings, it's exciting that authentic moments are not predictable, and the most beautiful pictures often emerge when people naturally interact with each other.

Simone Werr from Selene Adores admits that crafting fresh and creative wedding photo ideas is a challenge she relishes. By doing that, she focuses on timeless images that will resonate through generations. For her, personal and individual inspiration is key.

One session that holds a special place in Simone’s heart was during her first destination wedding in Mexico. Following the wedding, she ventured to the Ceynotes, an underground river system, for an underwater session. The unique location, coupled with the ethereal quality of underwater shots, resulted in extraordinary photographs. The experience was not just about capturing moments but creating a truly outstanding memory for the couple.

Another creative moment for her was in the Austrian Alps, where a couple's love for mountains inspired a double exposure – melding their portrait with the majestic scenery.

Another winter wedding, set in a vineyard with a Christmas-loving bride, saw her using an LED garland to infuse a unique Christmas light and atmosphere into their portraits. In summary, Simone tries to create not just wedding photos but more bespoke art pieces for couples to cherish.

For Claudia Klassen from Klassen Weddings, the most unique and original wedding photos are unplanned ones. The pictures without trying to create innovative wedding poses.

For example, she had a champagne tower at one wedding, and the bride was grooving and dancing behind the tower, and in the foreground, there were two hands exchanging glasses of champagne. This picture was not planned, but she loves it. It's full of atmosphere and vibe of this wedding.

As Claudia explains, sometimes the unconventional and imperfect pictures are the best. She also loves pictures where the couple is super close, covered in light, and the picture is not perfect because the veil covers them or the frame is so close that you can see just their faces.

She also loves the photos where there is so much space between the couple and the light, and the venue builds lines and structures and frames them in a natural geometric.

For Sam Ponsford, it is also tricky to answer. His photography is all about telling the most authentic story of the people involved. He works in the style of documentary wedding photography and tries to get out of the way as much as possible and capture the event as it unfolds. That said, he tries to add artistic flair to the way he documents the day.

Atmospheric lighting, if available on the day, is always exciting, and he tries to make the most of it. He also uses prism filters, star filters, flash and blur to add a point of difference, as long as it doesn't distract from the story of the people and the day.

Nayara Venancio shares one unforgettable wedding she photographed in an old, steamy train station, with the reception on a moving train. In France, she captured some magical shots using smoke and artificial light, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

Gione da Silva doesn’t push too much in terms of going too much outside of the wedding and what has been planned. Mainly because his style has changed a bit, and that has also been reflected by the type of events he is documenting.

Nowadays, he believes the power is in being good at documenting things as they happen, no matter what scenario and making it special and pretty. Nonetheless, he also still relies heavily on understanding and using light effectively. In the past, he has used smoke guns and lit the background with an LED light to create a cinematic, moody atmosphere for a silhouette shot.

People TrueLove Tellers share their philosophy of photography, where the essence of each wedding transcends traditional angles and compositions. They dive into the heart of emotions, searching for those ephemeral moments where glances, smiles, and tears tell deeper stories than any studied pose.

The authenticity of an embrace and tenderness of a shared glance are the moments they pursue. They believe that emotional wedding captures, even if they break with conventional techniques, show the true essence of the wedding. This perspective guides them, allowing them to reveal not only the celebration of the day but also the rich tapestry of relationships and feelings that define it.

In short, the key to personalized wedding images is couples being themselves, being creative with the venue and using creative lightning.

Must have shots for a wedding photography

Wedding photography is a quite defined genre which, of course, allows experimentation for unconventional bridal photos, but there are still some must-have shots to capture. We asked wedding photographers what they feel are those shots as well as their favourite moments at a wedding to capture.

Maria Salgueiro from Mulher Photography believes that some must-haves are the details that show the complicity or emotion of the moment and the atmosphere of the day.

Every moment of a wedding day is important and has its weight in history, however, there is a moment that is sometimes undervalued by the bride and groom themselves and that she considers to be of utmost importance to the story of that day and that she enjoys photographing: the preparations.

She’s always hoping that the bride and groom want to do them together because it's beautiful when, in this moment of great emotion preceding the ceremony, the bride and groom help each other and take care of each other. A moment when there are just the two of them, and the love that unites them shines through.

Teresa Hirschel also loves detail shots of the rings, the flowers, the shoes etc. During the ceremony, she always tries to capture the emotions of friends and family while simultaneously focusing on the wedding couple.

During bridal portraits, she always takes portraits of the bride and her details and the groom and his details, close-ups of them together and ones where you can see the whole wedding look. For the rest, she tries to document the wedding as real and detailed as possible so the couple can relive their memories of this day.

Her favourite moments are immediately after the ceremony when they announce the husband and wife and when the guests are celebrating, cheering with joy and tears of happiness rolling down their faces.

Magda and Marcel from Wedding Voyagers reveal that they always go with the flow. They love combining documentary and editorial photography to create a perfect blend. One of their favourite parts is the entrance and exit during the ceremony. These moments are always brimming with emotions when the couple and guests are equally involved.

For Simone Werr from Selene Adores, all the emotions swirling around are a must-capture. Essential shots for her include the kiss, along with the immediate family's reactions, as well as the joyous greetings from guests and family. However, her absolute favourite moment is the beginning of the couples' portraits. It's a time for them to relax, unwind, and share intimate moments. She cherishes crafting this quiet, emotional time, providing the couple a space to savour and enjoy.

Claudia Klassen from Klassen Weddings explains that must-haves on weddings will limit creativity. However, she always tries to do some drone shots and fancy light painting party shots. Her favourite parts of the wedding are the exit of the ceremony when the bride and groom are now married, their loved ones cheer them, and the air is full of love and joy. And the party, when the bride and groom dance and enjoy without thinking about how it looks.

Sam Ponsford adds, first and foremost, the must-haves come from the couple. He will always discuss this with them before the day and check if there is anything specifically important to them. That said, the must-haves from his perspective come from anything that makes the couple or the wedding unique, little unseen moments in between the main event.

He always thinks of the standard events of the day as the basic plot, and then the individual elements are like the story, and he always finds the story much more interesting than the plot.

For Nayara Venancio, each wedding is unique, so she stays flexible. However, a style hallmark of her is capturing the couple walking together, mixing in some blurred shots to depict movement. She approaches each wedding with an open mind and heart, ready to capture whatever unfolds.

Gione da Silva agrees that each wedding is different and unique. Therefore, he never has lists of must-have shots. However, he always fosters an environment of happiness and trust so that his clients enjoy the experience together. That enables him to capture the best images.

He admits that these images may not be the award-winning ones, but they will mean the most to his clients, and as someone who is there to serve and provide them with a beautiful experience, that is what he looks for at the events. If he had to say something he always likes to capture, the couple walking back down the aisle as a married couple are some of the most fun and heartfelt moments.

In wedding photography, the moments Daniel from People TrueLove Tellers treasures most are the preparations and the bride's arrival at the ceremony. These often uncaptured moments are where the veil of emotion is subtly lifted, revealing anticipation, nerves and pure joy.

There is something intimately true about capturing the final touches of make up, an anxious glance in the mirror, or that deep breath before taking the first step down the aisle. In these moments before is the beating heart of the wedding, pulsing with a vulnerability and excitement that defines the beginning of a new chapter in life.

Wedding photographers’ tips for original wedding photos

Additionally, we asked wedding photographers for wedding photography tips for couples to create stunning pictures.

Claudia Klassen from Klassen Weddings advises not posing but moving around the wedding venue to find different and interesting spots, maybe interesting light situations or structures. She encourages us to think out of the box. Instead of posing the couple always super close, think about using the space connecting them. Do it all, close and wide, and capture details and movements.

In short, free your mind! Think about your identity. Will you feel comfortable posing? Share your ideas with your photographer, they will be thankful to know you´re open to experiments. And then, if you would like to do more experimental shots, plan more time for it and ask your photographer.

Sam Ponsford’s biggest tip would be to take inspiration from outside the wedding photography world. He finds inspiration from the world of fashion, fine art, cinema, literature, and lots of different places. Do you and your partner have a favourite film? Perhaps try adding some touches from the aesthetic of that film, some poses that replicate a scene from the film. A favourite painter? How can you add some inspiration from their paintings to your photos?

Spend time beforehand talking this through with your photographer, then make a collaborative mood board on Pinterest to collate your ideas and vision together with the photographers'. Ensure you communicate with your planner to allow enough time to create your ideas and trust the photographer to bring them to life.

Teresa Hirschel also encourages you to trust your photographer. She understands that it can be quite tricky to leave such an important job to someone else. Especially if you like taking pictures yourself and have a pretty strong opinion about what you want. But without trusting your photographer they won't be able to fully get into their creative side. This is why you should get to know your photographer before your wedding day.

You can even book an engagement shoot to get to know each other. Nevertheless, you should always feel free to communicate your wishes beforehand. Do you want to have original, creative wedding pictures? Great! Let's talk about it, get into details, and maybe create a mood board together so your wedding photographer can truly see your vision.

Speaking of mood boards, Daniel from People TrueLove Tellers advises adding images that inspire you beyond the bridal realm. This could include album covers, film stills, advertising posters or any visual art that resonates with you. Sharing these inspirations with your photographer will allow for a more personalised and creative approach to be developed, ensuring that your wedding photos reflect your unique style and personality.

Magda and Marcel from Wedding Voyagers agree that the exchange of ideas is very valuable, and it helps the photographer understand what the couple desires and what is important to them. With their experience, photographers will be able to make suggestions and create concepts. A trusting relationship is important for creating great images together.

Simone Werr from Selene Adores notes that it is very important to choose a photographer with whom the couple feel a close connection through their work. Like walking through a museum, pay attention to how the pictures make you feel. Engage in a conversation with the photographer and ensure a personal connection. When there's alignment in creative vision and a personal connection, it's a perfect fit.

Gione da Silva agrees that the couple needs to make sure they find the right person to document their wedding. They need to find a photographer willing to try what they have in mind. Communication is key, and that needs to be done early on during the consultation and booking process. Finally, the client needs to be willing to financially invest in that.

Speaking of creative wedding photography, Maria Salgueiro from Mulher Photography reflects that in a time when everything happens very quickly, fashions are outdated in quick time and it seems like everything has already been done and seen. Sometimes, she feels it's difficult to consider whether an idea of ours is fresh or creative enough for the couple and the photographer.

What works for her is, despite consuming forms of inspiration that can lead to new ideas, reading the day and the couple, feeling the vibration of that wedding and understanding what she can use and create in that moment.

However, her tip to the couples would be to enjoy the most important day of their lives as they want, without subjecting themselves to family or even social pressures. Let your only rule be to have no rules or preconceived ideas about what your wedding day should be like.

Modern wedding photography trends – should you approach them with caution?

In search of original wedding photo ideas, one inevitably comes across wedding photography trends. But as with all things new, we should explore them with caution. Our wedding photographers share their take on the trends.

Teresa Hirschel believes any wedding trend should be taken with caution because trends are just that – trends. And they will be gone in a few years or even less. She loves the current blurry look in wedding pictures but she would never deliver a wedding gallery with more than 15-20 blurry pictures. She thinks that one can overuse a trend.

Speaking of overused trends, Claudia Klassen from Klassen Weddings thinks the sparkler exit may be overused. It takes so much time to organize this, and you have just one trial. But if a couple wants this, she will never say no. She is always there for everything for her couples.

Regarding other wedding photography trends, Daniel from People TrueLove Tellers explains that the trend of trepidation, although popular, requires a careful approach. While it can add an artistic and dynamic touch to images, it is important not to overuse this technique.

Photographic fashions can pass, and what looks cutting edge today may look dated in a few years. He believes that the key is to use these trends with intention and in moderation, ensuring that the photos reflect the timeless essence of the day and not just a fad.

Magda and Marcel from Wedding Voyagers have concluded that standout photos often emerge when the couple is authentic and in the flow. However, since every couple is different, they believe it's not advisable to work with templates or replicate inspiring images one-to-one, but instead, to make it your own, tailored to the couple. Wedding Voyagers' approach is to create timeless yet modern images, thus, they also handle trends with caution.

For example, there was the aforementioned trend of creating blurry images. Blurry images as a stylistic element have always existed, they have a special charm. Blurriness, created through movement, for example, can vividly capture a moment. However, it should not be overused. If a couple likes these images, in their opinion, they should be used selectively appropriate moments to make a captured moment more authentic.

Maria Salgueiro from Mulher Photography summarizes that trends are just that. Some last longer than others or are more explored than others. She believes that there should always be a balance, as in everything in life, but she also thinks that everyone should act as they feel, and there should be no judgment of it. Art is subjective, and, also, in this area, she believes there is no right or wrong.

Author: Renāte Berga

Wedding photographers: Mulher Photography, Teresa Hirschel, Wedding Voyagers, Selene Adores, Claudia Klassen, Sam Ponsford, Nayara Venancio, Gione da Silva, People TrueLove Tellers