What Is Documentary Wedding Photography, And Is It Right for You?
You’ve probably come across the phrase “documentary wedding photography”. Sounds serious, right? But what does it actually mean? And more importantly, is it the right approach for your day?
So, what is documentary wedding photography?
Documentary wedding photography is all about honesty. It’s not about staging moments, asking you to pose, or creating a version of your day that doesn’t exist. It’s about showing your wedding as it really was, the genuine expressions, the chaos, the hugs, the weird dance moves, and the bits in between.
There’s no list of “must-have” shots. Instead, I keep my eyes open, read the room, and quietly follow the real moments as they unfold. It’s your story, captured in a way that feels true to how it all went down.
How is that different from candid photography?
Good question. The two often get used interchangeably, and there’s overlap. But candid photography is more about individual, unposed moments, like someone catching confetti in their mouth or your nan downing prosecco. Documentary photography zooms out a little. It’s about the full picture and how moments connect, building a narrative from start to finish. You get candids, but you also get a bigger sense of how the day felt.
What about couple portraits?
Here’s the thing, even in a documentary approach, we still make time for photos of just the two of you. But those don’t need to be performative or awkward. The goal is to make space for natural interaction and a bit of calm in the madness of the day.
Tips to get the best from your couple session:
Don’t worry about being camera-aware, but do keep in mind that photos are being taken. The more present you are with each other, the better it all looks.
Keep moving, walk, spin, lean on each other. Stillness can sometimes make people stiff.
Bring the energy and connection you already have, I’ll take care of the rest.
Want to take it up a notch? Secretly prep a little surprise for your partner. Something personal you reveal during the shoot. A letter, a small gift, a memory. These little things create real emotion , and that’s gold.
Is documentary photography right for you?
If you care more about connection than perfection, and you want to remember how your day felt rather than how it looked to someone else, then yes, it probably is. It’s perfect for couples who want to be in the moment, not directed through it. People who’d rather spend time with their guests than hold a pose for a Pinterest board.
You’ll still get beautiful photos, but they’ll be yours, not someone else’s version of what a wedding “should” look like.
Want to know more about how I work and what that looks like for your day?
GET IN TOUCH no pressure, just a chance to talk things through.