Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Photography Trends in 2022

Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Photography Trends in 2022 | Wedding Photographer Kansas City

Every year, wedding industry professionals take note of which styles and trends are on a downward slope, and which trends are new or increasing in popularity. The topic is often discussed on industry wedding blogs and print publications, but with a more broad focus on things like popular season wedding colors and palettes, floral arrangements, trending wedding desserts (for example: wedding donuts, ice cream or funnel cakes instead of traditional wedding cake), etc. 

However, it is uncommon to find print articles or blog posts about wedding photography trends, so today I’m sharing the top wedding photography trends in 2022. Be sure to read all the way through and let me know if I missed any 2022 wedding photography trends in the comments below!

Wedding Photography Trends in 2022

Many Kansas City wedding photographers advertise their wedding photography services as timeless, and that makes sense. Often, when we think about photography trends, the things that come to mind have less to do with composition and more to do with editing techniques and white balance, etc. The words used for photography trends usually involve phrases like “light and airy” or “dark and moody.” However, experience has shown me that wedding photography trends in 2022 have little to do with the wedding photographer’s style or editing, and everything to do with the time spent on various components of the wedding day. 

The focus of engaged couples in 2022 has been decidedly different from their counterparts in prior years. 2022 couples care about the details, but they’re far more interested in documenting the interactions and the people they care about who are with them on this important occasion. They’d rather their wedding photographer spend more time photographing everyone enjoying the whole day, including the wedding party, their families and guests, than endless detail and venue shots.  

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After many wedding day consultations with 2022 brides and grooms, I’ve found that the important wedding photography trends of 2022 are centered around 6 major themes:

1. Skipping the First Look and Saving the Suspense for the Ceremony

First looks have been a wedding day trend for engaged couples everywhere for many years at this point, but 2022 couples are consistently choosing to skip the bride and groom’s first look and save the suspense for the ceremony. This sweet throwback has been the choice of over 70% of my wedding couples for 2022, and each couple has been so excited for the element of anticipation this choice brings to their wedding ceremony. 

Choosing to save the first look for the actual wedding ceremony may cut down on the length of time your wedding photographer will have to capture wedding party photos, but it brings such a sweet anticipation for both the bride and groom, and virtually ensures an emotion-charged ceremony. 

As a wedding photographer, Kansas City couples have piqued my interest with this endearing “new” trend.

2. Less Emphasis on the Particulars

In our Instagram-crazed culture, a primary wedding trend over the past decade has been for wedding photographers to capture all the details…often at the expense of photographing candid moments between the bride, groom and their families and wedding parties. 2022 wedding couples have been shifting the narrative, with the majority being far more interested in images of their wedding parties laughing and talking, family members interacting, and guests enjoying the reception. 

Where couples in years past have largely chosen to have their wedding photographers begin coverage earlier in the day and skip out after the main reception events, 2022 couples are breaking the mold. They would rather have wedding photography coverage begin later and have their wedding photographer stay all the way until the grand exit or reception ends.

3. More Family Photos

Over the course of the past decade, the arc of emphasis on family photos at weddings has largely been trending down. Most couples in the previous decade preferred to cut the length of time spent on family photos after their wedding ceremony pretty short and included immediate family only, such as grandparents, parents, siblings and in-laws, nieces and nephews, and the couple’s children, if any. 

2022 couples are again breaking with the trends of prior years and have been requesting more family photos, to include aunts and uncles, cousins, and other more distant relatives in family photos. Frequently, wedding photography trends in 2022 are including couples who request 3 or 4 generation photographs, even if they themselves do not fall in that grouping. Many have requested time for photos of their parents and their parents' siblings, or their parents with their grandparents.

While this may mean a bit more time spent on family photos, it is heartwarming to see that 2022 couples are more concerned about documenting those they love, together, than rushing to the next event of their day.

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4. Extended Bride and Groom and Wedding Party Photos

Engaged couples in prior years placed more emphasis on less time spent photographing the bride and groom, and the wedding party, but 2022 couples are consistently choosing a different path. The majority of 2022 couples are choosing to structure their day with a cocktail hour for reception guests, which helps to provide plenty of time for extended wedding party photos, and portraits of the couple together. 

Additionally, while previous wedding couples preferred a few group shots of the whole wedding party, and the bride and groom with their individual crews, 2022 couples want photos with each member of the wedding party. Some couples are even requesting individual photos of each member of the wedding party.

5. More Dancing & Reception Photos

From my earliest beginnings as a Kansas City wedding photographer, the majority of wedding couples have requested photos of the main events at the wedding reception, but most have opted to end coverage shortly after the dance floor opens to guests. While it may mean a longer day and later exit for me, I’m delighted to report that 2022 couples are breaking with this trend and opting for coverage through their grand exit or send off.

One thing 2022 couples are consistently saying is that they want more photos of their wedding guests having a good time and interacting at the reception. Choosing to embrace this 2022 wedding photography trend enables your wedding photographer to photograph your wedding guests enjoying the celebration, and any details they weren’t able to document earlier in the day.

6. Slowing Down to Savor the Day

Wedding days are long, and the schedule can be rigorous for the happy couple. 2022 couples are united in their desire for an enjoyable wedding day. The common things wedding photographers are hearing are that couples getting married in 2022 want to have space to relax and enjoy the moments that make up their wedding day. They don’t want to look back and remember being so rushed that they didn’t get to spend time with their wedding party or families, or that they missed hugging cousins or friends they haven’t seen in years. 

In case you missed the common theme, wedding photography trends in 2022 have virtually nothing to do with the photographer’s style, and everything to do with what’s most important to 2022 couples. Engaged couples in 2022 have been through a lot in the past few years, and those experiences have forced them to evaluate whether they care more about perfection, or being present…and they are choosing to be present.

Thanks for reading about the top wedding photography trends of 2022! Did I miss any trends you’ve noticed? Tell me what you think in the comments below!

What do you want to do next? View real weddings on my blog, or read similar posts about wedding planning? 

Do you think I might be the right wedding photographer for you? If so, reach out today to check availability and schedule your complimentary wedding consultation!