Today’s couples want photos that tell a real story, with film-like grain, unexpected angles, and a sense of constant movement. To make sure your next album doesn’t look like it got stuck in the previous decade, it’s worth knowing the hottest trends currently dominating photography in Israel and abroad, and how to actually apply them in the studio and on location.
The return of direct flash and the ’90s look
One of the strongest and most surprising trends of the year is Direct Flash. This is a shooting style where the flash is aimed directly at the subjects, without softboxes or diffusers, exactly like the film cameras and paparazzi of the ’90s.
The style produces hard shadows behind the subjects, smooths over small skin flaws, and gives the image a fashion-forward, “raw”, attitude-heavy look. It works stunningly well in combination with night locations or urban shoots inside abandoned buildings and enclosed spaces.
It’s one of the reasons I switched from Canon to Fuji. Fujifilm’s built-in Film Simulations deliver exactly that raw look straight out of the camera, without spending hours in editing.
Urban-cinematic styling and effortless movement
Many couples are choosing to leave the open outdoors behind in favor of the streets. Urban shooting lets us play with modern architecture, exposed concrete lines, and glass reflections.
The emphasis here is on movement:
- A casual walk down the street
- A light run
- Shooting through café windows
- A spontaneous dance on a sidewalk
When I photograph couples in this style, my goal is to make them forget I’m there. To catch the tiny smile, the passing glance, and the real energy between them. No poses. No “say cheese.” Just two people and the real motion of life.
The perfect balance: outdoor light vs the studio in Ashdod
While the new trends lean natural and rough, the way to a truly professional album that stands the test of time is a smart combination of several environments.
Outside we get the spontaneity of the street or the sunset. Inside, in the Gela Studio photography studio in Ashdod, we can take those same trends and distill them into pure craft. Under dramatic lighting setups, on clean backdrops, and with high-end gear, we produce the same premium minimalist portraits that balance the “noise” of the street and give your album a timeless character.
💡 The tip I give every couple: don’t choose between studio and outdoors, combine them. An hour outside plus half an hour in the studio gives you an album with depth and character neither option can deliver alone.
Bottom line
The 2026 trends all speak one language: fewer poses, more real moments. Direct flash, urbanism, and movement are all saying the same thing. The era of over-posed photos is over.
But a trend isn’t just “what everyone else is doing”, it’s a tool. A good photographer knows how to take a trend and adapt it to the specific couple, your personal style, and the story you want to tell. Not every couple is an urban couple. Not every couple will feel right with Direct Flash. It all comes down to character.
Planning a Save the Date session and want to talk about the style that fits you? Get in touch, let’s talk about who you are as a couple, and shape the right concept for you from there.