Why Book Documentary Wedding Photography for Your Big Day?
January 24, 2025
If you’re planning your wedding right now you’ll know that it involves countless decisions. The venue, the flowers, the dress to the menu (this couple went all vegan for their wedding!). Among these choices, selecting the right wedding photographer is quite a big deal if it’s something that’s a priority for you. If you want your photos to tell a genuine story of your day, filled with authentic emotions and unposed moments, documentary wedding photography might be the perfect fit for you. Let’s dive into the question, why book documentary wedding photography for your big day:
What is Documentary Wedding Photography?
Documentary wedding photography, sometimes called reportage or photojournalistic style, is essentially capturing real moments as they unfold. Unlike traditional photography, which often relies on posed setups, this approach focuses on the natural flow of the day. A documentary photographer can work quietly in the background or at the forefront of where the action is, ensuring your wedding is captured as it truly happens—real, unscripted, and beautiful (when done right!).
Reasons to Choose a Documentary Wedding Photographer
1. Authentic Storytelling
Your wedding is more about a story than a picture-perfect performance—not a collection of staged poses, but an unfolding narrative filled with emotion and connection. You’re living in the moment of marrying the love of your life, not on a photo shoot. A documentary photographer captures this story in its entirety: the laughter, the tears, the subtle glances, and the spontaneous bursts of joy. These images are rich with meaning and transport you back to the exact moment they were taken.
2. Natural and Relaxed Atmosphere
One of the greatest advantages of documentary photography is its authentic nature. There’s no need for stiff poses or constant direction from the photographer. Instead, you and your guests can fully immerse yourselves in the celebration, knowing that every candid moment is being captured with care. This results in photos that reflect originality over cover-shoot vibes.
3. Timeless Appeal
Trends in wedding photography come and go, but documentary photography has a timeless quality, especially with a decent photographer. By focusing on real moments and emotions, these images remain relevant and meaningful long after the wedding day because they are of YOUR wedding. Looking back at your album, you’ll see not just how the day looked, but how it felt.
4. Capturing the Unexpected
Weddings are full of surprises, from spontaneous dance-offs to quiet moments of vulnerability. A documentary photographer thrives on these unscripted events, capturing the day in all its unpredictability. These candid images are often unpolished, but can become the most cherished because they reveal the true memory of the celebration.
5. Emotional Resonance
Photos taken in a documentary style often evoke a deeper emotional connection. They transport you back to specific moments, allowing you to relive the joy, love, and excitement of your wedding day. These images are more than just memories; they become treasured keepsakes that grow in value over time.
I class myself as a documentary wedding photographer with an editorial edge. I like to capture the authenticity of your wedding day whilst giving it a fashionable feel with editing, choice of crop and the background I have in fashion photography. Imagine the style of fashion, with the soulfulness of reportage photography.
How Documentary Photography Stands Out
It’s About Moments, Not Poses
Why book documentary wedding photography for your big day? Unlike traditional or editorial styles, documentary photography doesn’t prioritise perfect lighting or orchestrated shots, although having skills with flash is a helpful skill to have. Instead, it’s about capturing fleeting moments—a tear rolling down a parent’s cheek, a child’s goofiness during the ceremony, or the laughter of your 90 year old Nan.
A Focus on Story Over JUST Aesthetics
While other styles might over-emphasise aesthetics, documentary photography focuses on storytelling. The goal is to create a visual narrative that unfolds naturally, with each photo contributing to the bigger picture of your day. That’s what I aim to do, whilst also giving an aesthetic finish to the photo that feels classy.
It’s Unobtrusive
Have you ever been to a wedding where the photographer is shouty or is constantly taking the couple off to fulfil a list of intricate poses? Not for me. A documentary photographer often involves themself with the life of the party, working effortlessly to capture moments as they happen. This allows you and your guests to enjoy the day without feeling like you’re constantly in front of the paparazzi.
My Approach as a Documentary Editorial Wedding Photographer
With over a decade of experience and a background in fashion photography, I bring a unique blend of documentary storytelling and editorial sophistication to wedding photography. My goal is to capture the unfiltered emotions of your day while delivering images that are polished and timeless. This fusion allows me to document every candid moment with an artistic touch, ensuring your wedding photos are both authentic and visually stunning. My work has been recognised in prestigious publications like Professional Photographer magazine, and my approach is trusted by luxury clients across Kent, Cambridge and beyond.
What to Look for in a Documentary Wedding Photographer
If you’re considering why book documentary wedding photography for your big day, here are a few tips to help you find the right fit:
Review Their Portfolio
A skilled documentary photographer’s portfolio will showcase a range of candid moments and tell compelling stories from past weddings. Look for images that resonate emotionally and feel genuine.
I’m always happy to send my potential clients links to full wedding galleries and slideshows, it helps you imagine what your wedding memories will feel like!
Meet Them in Person or Video Call
Since they’ll be such an integral part of your day, it’s essential to feel comfortable with your photographer. I would argue that aside from the quality of photographs, feeling like you can be friends with the photographer is the most important part about booking your photographer. If you haven’t met them in person arrange a video call to ensure their personality and values aligns with yours.
Ask About Their Approach
Every photographer has their own style, even within the documentary genre. Discuss how they work on the day, their favourite moments to capture, and how they handle unexpected events. If you happen to know a bride or groom that they have photographed, ask them what it was like first hand. If you don’t have that luxury, the next best thing is to…
Read Testimonials
Client reviews can provide valuable, honest insights into what it’s like to work with a photographer. Look for comments about their personality, if they could capture candid moments, and if they deliver exceptional results.
Conclusion
Documentary wedding photography is more than a style; it’s a philosophy that prioritises authenticity and storytelling over posing. By choosing a documentary photographer, you’re ensuring that the genuine emotions, candid interactions, and heartfelt moments of your wedding day are preserved forever. If you value natural, meaningful images that transport you back to your celebration, this approach might be the perfect choice for you.
Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Let it be documented as it truly happened—filled with love, joy, and the unfiltered beauty of your story.
