Why black and white wedding photos hit different
As an editorial wedding photographer, my love for black and white photos is no secret. I’m sooo completely drawn to them. Interestingly, many of my couples bring it up when they first enquire.They often mention how the black and white images stand out in my portfolio — how they resonate, the feelings they evoke, and how classic they look within a wedding gallery. I truly believe that, in many cases, a moment captured in black and white can feel more powerful than the same photo edited in colour. There are many reasons why I’ll always include a generous selection of black and white photographs in every wedding gallery I deliver. Never an afterthought or stylistic flourish — they’re an essential part of the storytelling. So let’s explore why they matter so much, and why they’re often the photos my couples return to again and again…
1. They remove distractions, and strip it down to emotions…
By removing the distractions of colour, we’re more likely to notice the intimacy, expressions, touch, and textures of an image, which in turn brings aaaalll the feelings of nostalgia, love, and joy when looking through your wedding photos. Whilst I’m photographing a wedding, I’ll automatically know when a shot needs to be black and white, some moments just lend themselves to a monochromatic edit perfectly.
2. They’re truly timeless…
Often a word that gets overused in the wedding world, however if there’s one thing that truly withstands the test of time, it’s a black and white photo. We’ve seen them feature heavily through the ages, and despite the ever-changing trends and styles, black and white photos remain elegant, effortless, and editorial even 20, 30, 40 years down the line.
3. They add a touch of artful drama to your gallery…
With the absence of colour, every element is heightened. The composition, the contrast, the shadows, the light pouring into the frame. Whether it’s a windswept veil, a direct flash during the chaos of the party, or a quiet moment alone - a monochrome edits adds a cinematic flair to your wedding photos.
4. They go hand in hand with documentary photography…
Linking back to point one, b&w photos emphasise storytelling and emotion, rather than aesthetics. Early documentary photography and journalism were mostly in black and white, so modern black and white photos evoke the same authentic, reportage-style look. They immediately feels observational, unobtrusive, and genuine, something I work hard to achieve in my role as a wedding photographer. Keep scrolling for a collection of my most-adored black and white photos from over the years… Sometimes, less is more. Rose x
