Cinematic Wedding & Elopement Photographer
What does “cinematic” really mean & how do you know if a cinematic photographer is right for you?
Is Cinematic just a buzzword?
The word “cinematic” often gets tossed around. It shows up on Pinterest boards, TikToks, and in hashtags — but what does it actually mean when it comes to photography?
CINEMATIC AS STYLE
Cinematic is not just color-grade or preset/filter. It’s not just a trendy style or aesthetic. It’s not just a “movie-like” vibe. It’s not as simple as tilted angles, blurry, or out-of-focus images (those do not exclusively belong to any style or approach of photography).
It’s a conscious visual language of light, color, & composition. Every frame is deliberate and is in service of evoking feelings. Though this sometimes means breaking the “rules” to allow the frame to breathe (tilts, blur, and anything else that communicates the story a certain way).
CINEMATIC AS AN APPROACH
Cinematic is a way of seeing the world — like you are moving through it. You notice shifts in conversations, body language, rhythms. This takes patience, presence, attention. It is active storytelling and the photographer is intentionally shaping the way the story unfolds.
It differs from documentary photography in this way because it’s not necessarily a hands-off approach (documentary is). There is often a blend of guidance and direction, while also giving room for things to unfold on their own. Documentary photography is non-invasive, though cinematic photography can certainly have moments of that.
Movement is a strong guide through this approach.
CINEMATIC AS EMOTIVE STORYTELLING
In cinematic photography, emotion is the pulse beneath the frame. Longing, joy, tenderness, tension, connection, chaos, intimacy. It is the narrative woven through the beginning, middle, and end. There is continuity through the images.
It invites the viewer into the story, just like they are there inside the scene rather than just looking at it. Cinematic photography also plays with scale to encompass both vastness and closeness. Angles and depth are often used to create intimacy and tension in the story. This is what gives it that “larger than life” feel.
WHY IT MATTERS WHEN CHOOSING A PHOTOGRAPHER
When you’re choosing a photographer, it’s not only about whether you like their editing style (though VERY important) or a particular trend/aesthetic. It’s about whether the way they see and shape stories aligns with how you want your story to be remembered.
Not everyone wants their moments told cinematically, and that’s okay. But if you do, it’s important to know what that may look like. A cinematic photographer knows how to guide with intention without overpowering authenticity, blending their unique approach with your story.
The result is imagery that feels both artful and deeply true to you.
If this sounds like you, let’s connect. XO