As photography connoisseurs, our whole team is obsessed with tonally rich black and white wedding photography. We love its timeless look, the way it emphasizes emotion, and how it helps to focus the viewer on the story. Vividly enhancing shape and light, it is the perfect medium for fine-art photography.  

If you are an artist at heart, chances are you’ll want some of your wedding photos to be captured in black and white, and you may even want some of your  photos captured on film. Just ask your photographer about their approach and see examples of their work. When black and white wedding photography is captured with skill and talent, it can be a priceless addition to your wedding day collection.

To show you the beauty of black and white wedding photography and what’s possible for your wedding, we’ve chosen 25 exceptional examples from our member photographers. Many of these artists chose to expose for the highlights and let the shadows go black, which adds a lot of drama and intensity to their photos. Others opted for grainy film and slight overexposure for a soft, ethereal feel. Some used aperture and long exposures to make bold, artistic statements in black and white. We hope you will enjoy the collection and follow us on Instagram for a daily dose of stunning wedding photography!

Thank you for looking through our collection of award-winning black and white wedding photography. When you’re ready to book the best photographer for your wedding, use the links found under your favorite photos in this collection or browse our world-class directory of the most experienced and talented artists anywhere. You’ll find many distinctive styles and at least one that is bound to speak to you.

Are you a budding or experienced wedding photographer? Keep reading for tips on how to improve your photos.

Tips to Great Black and White Wedding Photography: 

1. Focus on Emotions: Without the distraction of color, black and white wedding photography often places a stronger emphasis on the emotions and expressions captured in the moment. This can result in more impactful and poignant images.

2. Play with Light, Shadow and Shape: Black and white photography is good for emphasizing contrast between light and dark, which emphasizes the shapes of things. Use natural light, shadows, and artificial lighting to creatively add depth and dimension to your photographs.

3. Document Candid Moments: These become more emotionally charged in black and white. Make sure to capture spontaneous interactions between the couple and among family members and guests.

4. Don’t Forget Details and Textures: Black and white photography can highlight the intricate details and textures that are sometimes overlooked in color. Hone in on the bride’s dress, the rings, or the decorations to add richness and depth to the storytelling. 

5. Remember the Portraits: Black and white portraits have a timeless quality and classic elegance. To easily achieve this, pay attention to composition, framing and posing.

6. Experiment with Film: Film is unforgiving. By its very nature, it forces photographers to make thoughtful choices. It also has less tonal range, so exposure becomes vital when trying to capture a scene. We can often tell when a photographer has been trained in the use of film because of their deeper understanding of black and white photography.

7. Convert thoughtfully (if shooting digitally): Don’t convert everything to black and white. Instead, consider the mood and atmosphere of each image. Some moments may be much more impactful in color while others might work better in and benefit more from the timeless feel of black and white.

8. Use a Variety of Lenses: Experiment with different lenses to capture a variety of perspectives. Wide angle lenses can be used for sweeping shots of the venue and group photos, while prime lenses can create intimate portraits and closeup details.

9. Include a Narrative: Arrange your photos in a way that tells a chronological or thematic story. This could include getting-ready shots, the ceremony, reception, and the departure.

10.  Experiment with Post-Processing: Try enhancing the contrast, highlights, and shadows for different possibilities. Adjustments to the tone curve, contrast, and clarity can also help you achieve the desired mood for your black and white wedding photography.