Is Documentary-Style Wedding Photography Right For You?

When you envision your wedding day, there are just some decisions you’ll innately know how to make. But then, you’ll inevitably face decisions that maybe aren’t as clear – something such as the kind of photography style that’s best suited for you. In the modern age of weddings, the overwhelm of all of the circulating trends can feel like a daunting thing to navigate. Something that seems to have been lost in translation for many couples is understanding what’s at the core of true documentary-style wedding coverage. They want to know if this type of wedding photography is for them, after all.

When it comes to how your wedding day is visually preserved, the photography style you choose speaks volumes about what you value most. For some couples, the perfectly staged and curated images might be the ideal. But for others, the true essence of their love story is found in candid moments – the fleeting glances, unspoken gestures, and the authentic exchange of emotions that unfold naturally. This is where documentary wedding photography really comes into play.

If you’re drawn to photographs that feel like they have the power to breathe life, where spontaneity and authenticity collide, a documentary-style photographer is for you. But how do you know if this style fits the vision of your wedding experience? This post guides you through understanding this approach, why it’s sought out from couples all over, and what to consider when deciding if it’s right for you.

What Is Documentary-Style Wedding Photography?

Documentary-style wedding photography is often referred to, or correlates with, photojournalistic photography. Both of these styles overlap, and are undoubtedly rooted in the act of storytelling. Photographers who strive to document people in this way focus on what’s presently taking place. They rely on the natural progression of events to turn these moments into visual artistry. Typically, this kind of approach is centered around minimal imposition from the photographer. When the photographer is met with an opportunity to interject, it’s usually only with directional guidance. They tend to skip traditional posing techniques, and avoid major intervention.

Rather than posed portraits or orchestrated scenes, documentary-style photographers focus on the real-life emotions. It’s the genuine interactions and subtleties that make your day uniquely stand out. This approach is especially appealing for couples who want to preserve the raw and unfiltered charm of their day. They want photos that don’t just show how the wedding looked, but how it felt.

Key characteristics of documentary-style wedding photography include:

• Natural Lighting: Avoiding harsh and artificial lighting, but embracing the soft, ambient light of the moment in each scene.

• Minimal Posing: There’s little to no staging or posing, allowing for real moments to unfold. They happen organically, and they naturally open space for gentle direction.

• Attention to Detail: Focusing on small, meaningful details – like a delicate glance, the laughter of loved ones, or tender embraces.

• Genuine Emotions: Capturing raw, unscripted moments of every emotion that floods the entirety of the experience; joy, love, silliness, stillness, tears, and everything else that may fall in between.

Why Choose Documentary-Style Photography?

1. A Focus on Authenticity
If you are a couple who values sincerity, documentary-style photography offers an honest portrayal of your day. Nothing exaggerates or curates moments for the sake of ‘the perfect shot’. Every image captures the truth of your relationship, and the natural chronology of your marital celebration.

2. Timeless Images
Posed images can sometimes feel stiff or disconnected from reality, but documentary-style photography offers the gift of timelessness. The emotions and moments captured are as real on your wedding day, as they will be decades later. These images will allow you to relive those emotions at every glance.

3. A Stress-Free Experience
Many couples feel relieved by the hands-off approach that documentary-style photographers take. Instead of feeling like you need to be camera-ready at every moment, you’re free to fully immerse yourself in the day. You will not have to worry about how you look, or rush into the next part of the day for the sake of photos. The photographer acts as a fly on a wall, fading into the background. They blend into the environment to catch how each moment transpired into the next. There’s no disruption to the natural flow of events.

How Is It Different from Traditional or Editorial Photography?

Each style of photography brings its own set of appealing qualities to the table, but how does it compare to other popular styles like traditional or editorial? 

1. Traditional Photography
Traditional wedding photography commonly involves structured posing and formal group shots, which is evident across key moments like the first kiss, cake cutting, and family portraits. It’s not unusual for the photographer to actively direct couples and guests to create perfectly arranged shots. This is great for those who want a very classic, picture-perfect album filled with strategically posed portraits.

2. Editorial Photography
Editorial wedding photography is often dramatic and strictly cinematic. The photographer may guide you and your partner into artfully composed scenes. This style focuses on beauty and aesthetics, inspired by the look and feel of magazine editorials or pop culture. Couples who lean toward high-fashion or a glamorously high-end look may gravitate toward this approach more.

In contrast, documentary-style photography takes a more organic approach. Rather than setting up a scene, the photographer becomes an observer. The beauty in documentary-style photography lies in its truth – the unpolished, unscripted moments that reveal who you are, and what your values are as a couple. It’s important to note that it’s not uncommon for a photographer to fuse certain elements together from diversified styles, which is often what can set their work apart from others.

Signs That Documentary-Style Photography Might Be Right for You

Still unsure if this particular style is for you? Here are a few signs that you and your partner may resonate with the documentary-style approach:

1. You Love Candid Moments
You find yourself in love with the accidental “perfection” that lies within the imperfect moments you share with your partner. Do you prefer a sudden and uproarious laugh over a perfectly posed smile? If you love the allure of candid photos where the emotions are real and untainted, documentary-style photography will catch those fleeting moments for you. From an unexpected tear during your vows, to an unguarded expression of love that’s been exchanged between the two of you, these are the details that will make your wedding day your own.

2. You Want Your Photos to Tell a Story
You care more deeply about documenting the true feelings and energy of the experience, rather than the traditional aesthetic of weddings. If the idea of an album that feels like your own personal narrative, unfolding through a series of images, excites you, then documentary-style photography could be your perfect match. Every photo will reflect an important part of your day’s story. It encourages you to relive the moments not only through memories, but through images that become personal heirlooms.

3. You Don’t Want to Be the Center of Attention
For couples who don’t want to be the focus of every shot or who feel uncomfortable posing, documentary-style photography offers a sense of relief. You can be fully present in the experience of your wedding without having to pay any mind to the camera. You feel confident in your photographer’s ability to melt into the surroundings to observe you and your partner as you are.

4. You Gravitate to the Details
Documentary-style photographers have a knack for capturing the little things – they have a way of noticing how your fingers intertwine during your vows or quiet moments, the details of your attire or decor, or the kind gestures of loved ones as they witness your union. If you appreciate the significance of small happenings, this style will surely resonate with you.

How to Choose the Right Documentary Photographer

If you think documentary-style wedding photography is the route you and your partner want to pursue, the next step is to find a photographer whose vision and flow aligns with yours. Here are a few helpful tips for selecting a photographer that can check all of your boxes:

1. Review Their Portfolio
The best way to understand a photographer’s approach is by looking at their portfolio. Some photographers use their social media accounts as their portfolio, where others house theirs on a section of their website. Look for galleries where the emotions, interactions, and environment feel natural. The images should have the ability to transport you into the da. They should act as an invitation to feel the connection between the couple in the photos.

2. Meet in Person (or Virtually)
An in-person or virtual meeting can help you gauge if you feel like you can be comfortable with the photographer. Most photographers offer free consultations as an opportunity to get to know you, and your wedding day vision. This is the beginning of forging a connection. Since documentary-style photographers are often behind the scenes, you’ll want someone you can trust to blend into your day seamlessly, while photographing it uniquely and presently. 

3. Ask the Right Questions
When speaking with potential photographers, ask about their individual approach to weddings. How do they remain unobtrusive? What moments do they tend to focus on? Do they offer a mix of candid and posed images? Do they incorporate multiple mediums like digital and film? What are their values? These questions help you gain greater insight into whether or not their documentary style is the right fit for you.

Documenting the Heart of Your Day

Documentary-style wedding photography offers an unconventional, yet timeless way to capture your wedding experience as it truly happens. If you’re a couple who wants to encapsulate the emotive and discerning nature of your wedding day without moments that come from coercion, choose a documentary-style photographer. You’ll have a collection of images that will let you relive the most impactful moments of your day for years and generations to come.

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The way it unravels deserves to be visually remembered in a way that reflects the depth of your love, and the authentic quality of your connection. As a traveling destination wedding and elopement photographer with a candid, earth-centric approach, I’m here to photograph your story exactly as it happens – no forced smiles, no staging, just purely real emotion. If you’re ready to capture the heart of your day with images that speak to the adventure and artistry of your love, I’d love nothing more than to connect and discuss how we can bring your vision to life. Send me a message here to begin planning your unforgettable day, wherever it may take us.

A Little Note: These images are from Dave + Vanessa’s New Hampshire destination wedding last September. They gathered all of their friends and family in the mountains to host the perfect New England wedding.

• Venue: Longlook Farms https://longlookweddings.com/
• Photographer: Wild Elements Photography www.wildelements.photography
• Videographer: Nathan Paul Creative Co. https://www.nathanrpaul.com/
• Wedding Dress: Madeleine’s Daughter Bridal https://madeleinesdaughter.com/
• Hair Stylist: Bri Bragan Salon https://www.bribragansalon.com/
• Makeup Artist: Cat Norton Makeup https://www.catnortonmakeup.com/