What is The Documentary Style?
Documentary-style photography is different from traditional wedding photography. It almost isn’t a style so much as an approach; one that places emphasis on the narrative. This lends it an aesthetic that can tell a story naturally, and beautifully.
On wedding day, many photographers depend on directing people to capture the images they want. This can mean an emphasis on telling people where to stand, what to do and how to properly look at one another. This is not my cup of tea! To me, being a documentary-style photographer means hanging back from the action, and being ready to capture those images as they occur.
You don’t have to miss the party to get great photos.
While I approach the majority of the day in the documentary style, it’s important to have some more formal portraits and group photos. We will work together to come up with a shot list before wedding day, so we can fly through the family and wedding party photos and get you back to the party!
Setting aside 20–30 minutes during “golden hour” to go out for a couples’ session will repay you many times over. These are the photos that most often get printed by my couples, and sneaking away from the party is a good chance to get some fresh air!
Your wedding should be all about:
Enjoying the party you’ve spent so much time and effort planning
Intimacy with your closest family & friends
A stress-free experience you can enjoy while others carry out your vision
Creating memories to pair with amazing photographs that will be enjoyed for a lifetime
You should not have to worry about:
Being a professional model(chances are, you’re not!)
Making sure everything goes to schedule(it probably won’t!)
Contriving the perfect photo ops
Managing your wedding vendors on the day
This is all about collaboration.