MY APPROACH
DOCUMENTARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
MY APPROACH TO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Your wedding day isn’t a photoshoot. It’s not about ticking off a list of poses or dragging you away from your guests for hours. It’s about you two, the people you love most, and all the chaos, emotion, and energy that comes with bringing everyone together.
As a DOCUMENTARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, my approach is simple: I tell your story exactly as it happens. No fake smiles, no awkward interruptions, no “do that again for the camera.” Just honest, unscripted photography that captures the real atmosphere of your day.
WHAT IS DOCUMENTARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?
Documentary wedding photography (sometimes called candid or reportage) is all about capturing real life, unposed. I don’t direct or stage your day — I observe, anticipate, and photograph the moments as they unfold.
That means your photos won’t look like anyone else’s. They’ll reflect you, your relationships, your personalities, and the little moments that might otherwise slip by unnoticed. From the big emotional moments to the small in-between details, I’m there to catch it all.
WHY THIS APPROACH MATTERS
Choosing a documentary wedding photographer means prioritising authenticity over perfection. It’s about valuing the real moments—the smiles, the tears, the candid interactions—over posed shots.
This approach allows you to be fully present on the day, confident that every meaningful moment is being captured. Real moments don’t need to be staged to be beautiful—they’re beautiful because they’re real. And that’s what I aim to capture: the genuine, unscripted moments that make your wedding day memorable.
IS IT THE RIGHT APPROACH FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY??
If you like the idea of looking back on your wedding gallery and remembering how the day felt—the laughter, the excitement, and the little unexpected moments—then this style could be a good fit. I aim to capture as much of the day as I can, focusing on genuine interactions, spontaneous reactions, and the atmosphere of your wedding.
It’s also ideal for couples who want to feel relaxed and present. You won’t be pulled away for long blocks of staged shots or made to “perform” for the camera. Instead, you can enjoy your day naturally, while I quietly document the moments that unfold around you.
This approach isn’t about creating perfect, magazine-style images. It’s about storytelling, honesty, and capturing your day in a way that reflects the real energy and character of your wedding.
I MIGHT NOT BE THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOU IF…..
If you prefer every shot perfectly posed, carefully styled, or following the latest Pinterest trends, then this style might not be right for you. Documentary wedding photography isn’t for every couple, and that’s perfectly fine. My approach suits couples who want to enjoy the day naturally, without spending hours posing or performing for the camera. Some photographers take a hands-on approach, directing “plandid” moments, orchestrating laughs, or repeating interactions to get the perfect ‘candid’ image. Many focus on lots of group shots or staged moments that can look very similar from one wedding to the next.
What makes my approach different is that I capture your wedding as it actually happens. I focus on the little interactions, the unexpected humour, and the fleeting moments that are unique to your day. The result is a gallery that feels authentic and tells the story of your wedding in a way that’s entirely yours.
If you’d rather have images that reflect the real energy and personality of your day, this documentary style could be a perfect fit. But if highly orchestrated shots or long posed sessions are important to you, it’s worth finding a photographer whose style matches that approach.
BUT WHAT ABOUT COUPLE PHOTOS AND GROUP SHOTS?
You may love all the photos you see in my portfolio and want this documentary approach for most of your day, but be thinking, “Will I get any couple photos or group shots?”
Well, I don’t follow a hard and fast rule of being a documentary wedding photographer for 100% of your day—it’s more like 95%. Understanding each couple’s feelings about group photos and portraits is really important to me, so I make a point to talk to you about this beforehand. Every couple is different, and your approach to this part of the day should reflect that.
Some couples want just five minutes of couple photos, others might want 15. Some aren’t fussed about shots just before sunset, while others love the idea of a little walk during that time. Although my website may not have lots of couple portraits featured, that’s not because I don’t value them or can’t do them well. It’s because I want you to book me for my documentary style—the real, authentic moments that make up 95% of your gallery.
Curious about the other 5%? Click here to see my approach to couple portraits.