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The benefits of documentary style wedding photography

Two women wearing sequined dresses are captured smiling and laughing. One is holding a bouquet of flowers. The background appears to be an outdoor setting with natural light.

We’re often asked, ‘What is documentary style wedding photography’?

As you embark on the exciting wedding planning journey, choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

Various photographic styles are available, and deciding which one best suits your vision for your big day can be overwhelming.

The most popular style of photos is documentary wedding photography.

In this article, we’ll explain the benefits of this approach, what it involves, what it captures, and why it should be the perfect choice for your wedding.

Are you about to get hitched and looking for documentary style wedding photography? Shoot us a message to see if we’re free!

What is documentary style wedding photography?

Documentary wedding photography, also known as photojournalistic or reportage photography, is a style that focuses on capturing the genuine, unscripted moments of your wedding day.

Unlike traditional wedding photography, which relies on posed and staged shots, documentary photography aims to tell the story of your wedding as it naturally unfolds.

The photographer acts as an observer, blending into the background to capture candid moments as they happen without interfering or directing the action.

A boy in formal attire has his bow tie adjusted by a person in a pink jacket during an indoor event.
 
A smiling woman in a white dress interacts with another person wearing a pink outfit and headpiece at an outdoor event.

The benefits of documentary style wedding photography

Authenticity and emotion

Genuine moments: Documentary photography captures real emotions and interactions. From the nervous excitement as you get ready, to the tearful joy of your vows, these photos reflect the true essence of your wedding day.

Unscripted beauty: The beauty of documentary photography lies in its spontaneity. The laughter, happy tears, and intimate glances are all captured naturally, creating a more authentic and emotionally resonant series of images.

A true storytelling approach

Narrative: This style creates a visual narrative of your day, telling the story from start to finish. Every significant moment and the small, seemingly insignificant ones are documented to provide a comprehensive picture of your wedding.

Context and continuity: Documentary photography captures the flow of events and the connections between moments, giving your collection of images a cohesive and continuous storyline.

Less intrusive

Relaxed atmosphere: With a documentary photographer, there’s no need to pose or follow a shot list. This allows you and your guests to relax and enjoy the day without constant interruptions for photos.

Natural interactions: Because the photographer works unobtrusively, the interactions and emotions captured are genuine and unguarded, resulting in more meaningful images.

Captures the essence of the day

Full spectrum of emotions: From the joy and excitement to the quiet, intimate moments, documentary photography captures the full range of emotions that make your wedding day unique.

Details and atmosphere: This style doesn’t just focus on the main events and captures the little details and the overall atmosphere, providing a rich and immersive record of your day.

What does documentary style wedding photography involve?

Pre-wedding consultation

Getting to know you: Your photographer will want to get to know you as a couple—your personality, relationship, and vision for the wedding. This helps them understand what moments will be most meaningful to you.

Understanding the schedule: They’ll review the day’s schedule to ensure they’re prepared to capture all the key events and moments.

Blending in

Discrete presence: On the wedding day, your photographer will dress appropriately to blend in with the guests and move around unobtrusively, capturing moments without drawing attention.

Capturing unseen moments: By blending in, they can capture candid interactions and emotions that you and your guests may not even be aware of.

Continuous coverage

Start to finish: Documentary photographers typically provide full-day coverage, from the morning preparations to dancing in the evening. This ensures that the entire story of your day is documented.

Seamless flow: They’ll move seamlessly from one part of the day to another, capturing the natural progression of events.

Post-processing

Natural editing: After the wedding, the photographer will edit the photos to enhance their natural beauty without making them look overly retouched. The goal is to preserve the authenticity of the moments captured.

Storytelling album: Many documentary photographers will help you create a wedding album that tells the story of your day in a narrative format, allowing you to relive the day through the images.

documentary style wedding photography example: A boy in a gray coat smiles as he peeks around a stone column. A bicycle is partially visible in the background.
A three-tiered white wedding cake decorated with small polka dots and purple flowers sits on a round wooden table next to floral arrangements and a single purple candle.

What does documentary style photography capture?

Candid moments

Emotional reactions: The tear in your partner’s eye as you exchange vows, the laughter during toasts, the looks of pride and love from your parents—these moments are all captured candidly.

Spontaneous joy: The unscripted, joyous moments, like the flower girl’s spontaneous dance or your guests’ laughter during the reception, are captured naturally.

Genuine interactions

Connection and love: The real interactions between you and your loved ones, the hugs, the handshakes, and the stolen glances, are all documented to show true connection and love.

Guest experiences: Your guests’ enjoyment and experiences are captured, providing a full picture of the day’s atmosphere.

Details and atmosphere

Venue and décor: The little details you’ve spent months planning, like the décor, the flowers, and the table settings, are all captured to remember the effort and thought that went into your day.

Overall ambience: The overall feel of the day, from the excitement of the preparations to the festive atmosphere of the reception, is documented to provide a complete picture of your wedding.

Why choose documentary style wedding photography over traditional or alternative styles?

Emphasis on storytelling

Real story: Traditional photography focuses on posed shots and formal portraits, which can sometimes feel stiff or staged. Documentary style wedding photography, on the other hand, tells the real story of your day, capturing the moments that truly matter.

Comprehensive coverage: While traditional photography may miss the in-between moments, documentary photography ensures nothing is overlooked, giving you a complete and authentic record.

Authentic emotions

Natural emotions: Posed photos don’t capture the real emotions of the day. Documentary photography focuses on genuine reactions and interactions, producing more meaningful and emotional images.

True expressions: Without the pressure to pose, you and your guests can express your true emotions, making the photos more relatable and touching.

Relaxed experience

Less stress: Without constantly posing for photos, you can relax and enjoy your day more fully, resulting in a more enjoyable experience for you and your guests.

Freedom to enjoy: Documentary photographers work in the background, allowing you to focus on celebrating and being present in the moment.

Timeless quality

Everlasting appeal: While trends in wedding photography styles come and go, the timeless quality of documentary photography means your photos will remain relevant and cherished for years to come.

Classic and elegant: Documentary photography’s natural and candid approach ensures that your wedding photos will always feel genuine and elegant, no matter how styles change.

documentary style wedding photography example: Two women dressed in robes are seen in an emotional moment; one is wiping tears from the other's face in a comforting manner.
documentary style wedding photography example: A joyful bride holding a champagne flute, laughing during a conversation with guests at an outdoor wedding setting.

documentary style wedding photography conclusion

Choosing the right wedding photography style is a deeply personal decision.

Documentary style wedding photography offers a unique and compelling approach that focuses on capturing your wedding day’s genuine, unscripted moments. It tells the true story of your celebration, capturing authentic emotions and interactions in a way that traditional or alternative photography styles may not.

If you want a wedding album that feels real and full of life, reflecting the essence of your special day, documentary style wedding photography might be the perfect choice.

It allows you to relive the emotions, the joy, and the little moments that make your wedding day uniquely yours.

Please read our guide on why having two photographers photograph your wedding helps to capture every detail of your day.

So, embrace the beauty of candid moments and allow us the privilege of being your documentary photographer, capturing the story of your love in the most authentic way possible.

Check out our advice on how to choose a wedding photographer.

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