Light and Airy Wedding Photography: The Ultimate Guide

Light and airy photography is a distinct style that focuses on creating images with a soft, ethereal, and romantic aesthetic. It involves a delicate color palette, luminous highlights, and gentle shadows.

The goal of light and airy photography is to capture moments in a way that evokes a sense of timelessness, elegance, and emotion.

Hi, I'm Whitney, a wedding photographer specializing in true to color photography. Allow me to be your guide as we walk through the world of light and airy photography and to help you decide whether it's the right style for you.

Choosing between the popular contrasting styles of light & airy and dark & moody can be difficult. Both styles have unique touches and both can evoke powerful emotion.

Dark and moody photography is an editing style centered around contrast and drama whereas light and airy photography is more about portraying the subjects in an elegant, fairytale-like way.

So how do you choose between the two?

I'd recommend finding photographers in your area with each style and comparing the images on their website or social media platforms.

Ask yourself what emotions the images bring to your mind. What details stand out to you? Then, compare that with how you want to remember your wedding or elopement.

Which style matches the tone of your wedding? Which can you see yourself enjoying more for years to come?

Photographers can create light and airy images through a combination of techniques that focus on capturing soft, diffused lighting and utilizing a specific editing approach.

During the shooting phase, photographers will seek out optimal lighting conditions, such as the golden hours shortly after sunrise or before sunset, overcast days, or indoor locations that naturally provide soft illumination.

Photographers might also slightly overexpose the images to achieve that bright and airy look. This involves adjusting the exposure settings to intentionally let in more light, resulting in a gentle, luminous quality.

Additionally, the use of wide aperture lenses can help create a beautiful bokeh effect, further enhancing the dreamy aesthetic.

Finally, the editing process plays a crucial role in achieving the final light and airy style. Photographers may adjust brightness and contrast, enhance pastel tones, and reduce sharpness in certain areas to soften the overall image. They may also selectively brighten highlights and subtly lift shadows to maintain detail while creating a soft and delicate feel.

The goal is to create an image that radiates a romantic and timeless aura, evoking a sense of beauty and emotion.

I don't need to emphasize the importance of your wedding. You understand that it's a big deal.

That's probably why you're scouring the internet Googling various wedding photography styles.

While light and airy wedding photography isn't for everyone, those who choose a photographer with this style are pleased when looking back on their images for years to come.

And if you're interested in a light and airy photographer, I'd love to be considered. While I label my style as true to color, I tend to lean in the direction of light and airy imagery and would be happy to take your inquiry.