While color photography has been the norm for decades, black and white images still captivate us with their classic, romantic feel.
There's something undeniably powerful about stripping away color and letting light, shadow, and texture take center stage.
For wedding photography, this stark, high-contrast aesthetic remains a beloved choice for modern couples. Black and white has the ability to transform the fleeting moments of a wedding day into powerful, emotive stories suspended in time.
If you're considering incorporating black and white photography into your wedding, we have some information and advice for you, including pros and cons, creative approaches, and expert tips for stunning monochrome memories.
Saying 'I Do' to Black & White: The Pros
The decision to get black and white images of your wedding will be a matter of your personal style preferences. Here's a look at some of the plusses you'll want to consider.
Elegant and Romantic
Perhaps the biggest draw of black and white is its timeless, nostalgic quality.
While color trends come and go, well-executed monochrome imagery will never look dated. Black and white photos have an unmistakable romantic, vintage allure.
Flattering Skin Tones
Another advantage of black and white photography is that imperfections like blemishes or redness are less apparent, creating a softened look.
Color casts from mixed lighting are also neutralized.
The Negatives: Considering the Drawbacks of Black and White Wedding Photos
Not everyone is a fan of black and white wedding photography. Here are some of their most common downsides.
Loss of Color
Of course, removing color is also the main downside of black and white wedding photography. Vibrant colors at weddings—like the bride's bouquet, decor accents, and the scenery of your wedding venue—won't show their full vibrancy.
Details Can Be Lost
With the lack of color to differentiate objects, black and white can sometimes cause smaller details and textures to blend together.
Your wedding photographer has to be intentional about using contrast to define these elements.
Why Couples Love Black and White Photographs Today
While the romantic nostalgia is part of the appeal, black and white is also a favorite for modern reasons.
In our filtered, over-saturated digital worlds, there's something refreshing about monochrome's simplicity and honesty.
Black and white wedding photography facilitates emotional storytelling by removing distractions. The viewer's eye goes straight to the content and raw humanity of an image.
Creative Approaches
Your wedding photographer likely has their own unique creative spin on black and white photography. However, here are some popular styles and post-processing techniques used for weddings:
Classic
Crisp, high-contrast photos with deep blacks and bright whites. This timeless, no-gimmicks style lets potent moments speak for themselves.
Dramatic
Similar to classic, but with increased contrast, this approach creates clarity and moodiness through heavier editing. This dramatic look intensifies emotions.
Vintage/Antique
The wedding photographer mimics aged film by adding grain, vignetting, and other distressed effects for an heirloom aesthetic.
Vintage processing gives wedding photography an otherworldly yet nostalgic feel.
Noir-Style
A high contrast take inspired by classic black-and-white cinema.
Dark, moody shadows accentuate striking looks and unforgettable gestures.
Partial Color
While most shots are monochrome, selective color techniques allow one detail, like the bride's bouquet or bright red lips, to remain vividly colored as a focal point.
Getting What You Want
The key to amazing black and white wedding photos? An open conversation with your wedding photographer about your vision. Here are some tips for that discussion:
-Get on the same page about your aesthetic preferences. Do you want classic and timeless or more editorial/dramatic
-Ask to see examples of their best black and white photography to gauge their style and capabilities.
-Determine which portions of your day you'd like captured primarily in monochrome. Many couples opt for some color images alongside black and white memories.
If you want any specialized effects like vintage or noir looks, discuss how your photographer will achieve those in camera and/or editing.
-Find out if they shoot with digital cameras and then convert to monochrome or if they'll use black and white film for a signature look.
-For maximum control, you can request black and white pictures be included in your wedding photography contract.
More Tips for You
Consider having your engagement photos done in black and white. it's the perfect way to get a preview of how your black and white wedding photography will look.
-For your wedding day look, add extra pops of crisp white and amplify textures like lace and embroidery that will look amazing in monochrome.
-If you want color splashed throughout your album, too, choose cohesive accent colors that complement your wedding palette.
-Some photographers offer stylized add-ons like high quality black and white prints or albums where monochrome images really shine.
How Photographers Capture Unforgettable B&W Moments
For the wedding photographer, effective black and white wedding photography requires mastering the art of leading the viewer's eye through contrast, texture, leading lines, symmetry, and negative space.
Without the distraction of color, light and shadow become the building blocks of a powerful image.
While settings like high contrast and lighting can achieve a specific look in camera, skilled shooters harness comprehensive knowledge of photo editing to truly polish black and white wedding photographs into artistic masterpieces.
But beyond pure technique, black and white wedding photography requires a keen eye for storytelling and emotional resonance. Moments with distinct highs and lows in light, dark gestures punctuated by bright facial expressions, intense textures in fabric and architectur: These details transform a black and white photo from technically impressive to rich with visceral feeling. It's this ability to unearth raw human emotion within a stripped-back grayscale that sets unforgettable, monochrome work apart.
Whether you want a full black and white wedding album or select highlights in this classic style, choose a photographer who can harness the power and timelessness of this medium. By removing color, they'll bring every joy, tear and photograph-worthy moment on your wedding day into breathtaking high contrast clarity.
The Bell Tower on 34th is one of the leading wedding venues in Houston. Not only are we known for the elegance of our building—with a chapel, grand staircase, and Old World charm—but also for our team’s expertise and commitment to delivering excellence.
Learn more about holding a wedding here.
The Bell Tower on 34th
901 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018
(713) 868-2355