Wedding photography trends are evolving fast, shaping how you might approach your work in the coming season. Understanding these changes can significantly impact your success and client satisfaction.
Coming to you from Luke Cleland, this insightful video highlights key shifts in wedding photography gathered from recent industry data. One surprising shift Cleland mentions involves camera brands. Canon remains most popular, but Nikon slightly edges out Sony for second place, reflecting changing photographer preferences. Equally notable is the increasing preference for portrait-oriented photos, now comprising 50% of delivered wedding images—a notable 10% increase since 2019. Although mobile screens and social media drive this trend, Cleland emphasizes personal preference and storytelling as his reasons for favoring portrait framing.
Cleland further explores the average number of images delivered per wedding, which is considerably lower than what many photographers might expect. He views this positively, suggesting delivering fewer, more impactful images reduces overwhelm and enhances client experience. Another significant takeaway is the importance of group photos. Cleland highlights data showing "group" is the top search term among clients reviewing their galleries. This insight reinforces the value of prioritizing family and friend group shots—even when they seem mundane—to better align with client expectations and enhance satisfaction.
Additionally, Cleland points out vendors are frequently searching terms like "flower" and "cake," underscoring the importance of capturing these details. While photographers often prioritize creative or portfolio-worthy shots, Cleland suggests that considering vendor needs by capturing appealing images of their contributions helps strengthen industry relationships and ultimately benefits your business.
Cleland also identifies November as the peak month for clients purchasing prints. This timing coincides with holiday shopping and gallery deliveries, indicating an opportunity for photographers to strategically offer promotions or discounts. Offering incentives around November can simultaneously serve client interests—helping them select meaningful holiday gifts—and boost your business revenue. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Cleland.
If you would like to continue to learn about wedding photography, be sure to check out "How To Become A Professional Commercial Wedding Photographer With Lee Morris and Patrick Hall!"
