Every year, couples ask me the same question at our first meetings: “What’s in fashion right now?” And every year, my answer starts the same way: what’s in fashion is photos that look like you. Even so, it would be a lie to say that wedding photography never changes. In 2026, there are new styles, trends making a comeback, and some fads that, quite frankly, I wouldn’t recommend you follow.
Here I’ll explain what’s going on and how each trend fits in with my approach to photography: natural, documentary-style and without forced poses, along with tips on how to make the most of them in Granada.
1. Documentary with a purpose: fewer poses, more truth
The big trend for 2026 isn’t a filter or a technique. It’s an attitude. Couples want galleries that show how the day felt, not just how it looked. The industry calls this “intentional authenticity”: carefully crafted images, but with genuine emotions.
For me, this isn’t anything new – it’s the foundation of everything I do. I approach every wedding as if it were my first, and that means being attentive without getting in the way. I anticipate the look on your mother’s face when she sees you all dressed up for the first time, or your best friend’s hearty laugh during the speech. True documentary photography is all about knowing where to position yourself a split second before something happens. If you’d like to see how I put this into practice, here’s how I work at a wedding.
2. The flash returns to the dance floor
It’s this season’s most noticeable trend. Direct flash produces sharp, high-contrast images with a touch of roguish charm, like party photos from the 90s or paparazzi snaps. It works best at night, when the open bar kicks in and nobody’s thinking about the camera anymore.
Does it suit a natural style? Yes, if used sensibly. At the party I use flash, and ambient light too when it’s interesting. The flash freezes the jumping and toasts as the music builds. The ambient light – from the venue, the fairy lights or the candles – captures the warm atmosphere of the evening. Combining the two produces photos full of energy that still feel like your party, not a photo booth.
3. Film aesthetics, grain and analogue texture
The 35mm film look is making a strong comeback: natural skin tones, soft contrast, a touch of grain and a bit of motion blur. Many couples are looking for that “lived-in” feel, rather than a photo that looks straight out of a phone.
Pinterest’s 2026 wedding trends report shows a rise in searches for analogue photo booths and weddings filmed on video cameras. Another idea that’s becoming increasingly popular is leaving disposable cameras on the tables so that guests can take their own photos. It’s a complement to the professional photography, not a substitute, and adds another perspective – imperfect and fun.
4. The blue hour is all the rage, but I still prefer the golden hour
There’s been a lot of talk this year about the blue hour, that moment just after sunset when the sky turns a deep blue. I still love the golden hour: the last hour before sunset, when the light gets lower and warmer.
Granada is perfect for this. From the San Nicolás viewpoint or the slopes of the Albaicín, you can see the Alhambra in the afternoon sun, one of the city’s most beautiful backdrops. My practical tip: set aside ten minutes to slip away during the cocktail reception. In June, that light arrives around half past eight in the evening. In December, it arrives around five, so in winter it’s worth bearing this in mind when choosing the time of the ceremony. If you fancy a session beforehand in this light, here are some ideas for a pre-wedding shoot in Granada.
5. Editorial portraits, but without any stiffness
Editorial-style portraits remain in vogue, with clean compositions and magazine-style framing. The difference this year is that they’ve taken on a more relaxed feel: cover-worthy elegance, but with natural gestures.
Another trend I welcome is doing away with the long portrait session. Instead of spending an hour posing whilst the guests wait, we take short five- or ten-minute breaks spread throughout the day. A corner of the garden, a terrace with a view or a quiet street near the venue will do just fine. I’ll guide you with simple instructions (walk, hug each other, whisper something in each other’s ears) and all you have to do is be together.
6. Smaller, longer and more personal weddings
Intimate weddings and weekend weddings continue to grow in popularity. So too do “phone-free” weddings, where guests are asked to put their phones away during the ceremony. Bodas.net highlights this as one of the trends for 2026.
When it comes to photography, this has two consequences. With fewer guests, there’s more time for each person. And if nobody takes out their mobile, you can see people’s faces – they’re not hidden behind screens. If you’re thinking of having a small wedding, here’s my selection of venues for intimate weddings in Granada.
7. Authenticity versus artificial perfection
Artificial intelligence has made its way into photo editing, and the industry is divided. In the face of flawless skin and retouched bodies, more and more couples are asking for photos that look like the real thing.
My stance is clear: I don’t retouch faces or bodies. It’s you, just as you are, and that’s how you should recognise yourselves when you look at your photos in forty years’ time.
8. The return of the printed album
After years of online photo galleries gathering dust in a folder, the printed photo album is making a comeback as an heirloom – one that your children or grandchildren will open whilst sitting on the sofa.
That’s why I recommend a printed photo album. My advice: choose just a few photos that tell a good story, rather than printing everything.
What I won’t be pursuing in 2026
Not every trend is right for you. Skewed horizons or overly dramatic filters can look dated within two seasons. Drones provide spectacular shots, but not all venues or areas allow them to be flown, and they often intrude on the privacy of a ceremony. If a technique helps tell your story, I’ll use it; if it merely grabs attention, I’ll give it a miss. Timeless style never goes out of fashion.
Tips for making the most of these trends in Granada
- Spring and autumn tend to provide the most pleasant light: mild temperatures and long sunsets for the golden hour.
- In summer, avoid a midday ceremony. A late-afternoon ceremony gives you the golden hour for the cocktail reception and the portraits.
- In winter, make the most of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada as a backdrop and the low afternoon light, which is beautiful but doesn’t last long.
- Think about the night: tell me beforehand which moments of the party you don’t want to miss (the entrance, the first dance, a toast) so that I can be in the right place.
Frequently asked questions
Doesn’t the flash look a bit too artificial?
It depends on how much and when it’s used. At the party I use flash, and ambient light too when it’s interesting. That way, the photos have energy without losing the atmosphere of the night.
Do you retouch faces or bodies?
No. I don’t retouch faces or bodies. Your photos need to look like you.
Can I still get natural-looking photos if I find it really hard to pose?
Of course – in fact, that’s usually how it goes. I don’t ask you to strike forced poses: I give you simple instructions and let things happen naturally. Within a few minutes, you’ll forget the camera’s even there.
When is the best time of year to get married in Granada, in terms of the light?
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) offer the most pleasant light. In summer and winter, what matters is choosing the right time for the ceremony and the cocktail reception.
Do you also photograph weddings outside Granada?
Yes. I mainly work in Granada and Andalusia, but I’d be delighted to travel wherever you’d like to hold your wedding.
To conclude
Trends come and go, but your story is uniquely yours. If you’re planning your wedding and would like me to capture it at a leisurely pace, without rushing and without staged poses, drop me a line and tell me how you imagine it. I’d love to meet you.
