Why Booking a Documentary Wedding Photographer May Be the Best Planning Decision You Make.

Is A Documentary Wedding Photographer Really Right for You?

Ask yourself these questions:
Are you comfortable with how you look in photos without a lot of posing or direction?
Do you prefer images that feel real—even if they’re a little imperfect?
Do you and your loved ones naturally express emotion?
Do you want to be fully present on your wedding day rather than managing a timeline for photos?
If you’re answering yes, documentary photography is likely a great fit for your wedding.
Below are some ways to set yourself up for the best documentary wedding photos—without constant interruptions.

How to Get the Best Documentary Wedding Photos

1. Build More Time Into Your Wedding Timeline
   The number one key to great documentary photos is time.
   If your wedding day is packed with something new every 20 minutes, it quickly turns into a to-do list instead of a lived experience. More time allows you to slow down—getting dressed without rushing, spending time with family, and not constantly checking the clock. If hiring longer coverage helps you breathe and stay present, it’s worth it.
2. Keep Family & Wedding Party Photos Simple
   It’s tempting to list every possible combination of friends and family—but those lists add up fast. Even a “quick” photo can take several minutes once you factor in gathering people and resetting between shots.
   My advice: keep your formal photo list focused on your most important people. Then, spend your time interacting with everyone else. I’ll be there capturing the hugs, tears, laughter, and in-between moments—which often end up being more meaningful than posed smiles.
3. Be Mindful of How Many Vendors Are Following You
   Your experience matters more than perfect photos.
   If documentary photography appeals to you, imagine what it feels like to have a photographer, second photographer, videographer, and assistant following you all day. Suddenly, every moment can feel like a photoshoot. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have video or a second photographer—but it does mean we should talk about how much interaction feels right for you and when fewer people can be present so moments stay natural.
4. Communicate Your Photo Style With Family & Friends
   Well-meaning friends and family—especially parents—often want what they believe are the “best” photos. Those expectations don’t always match what you want.
   If you’re choosing documentary wedding photography, let your loved ones know you’ve hired a photographer to capture organic moments. This helps prevent constant requests for posed shots and allows everyone to be more present—including them.
5. Stay With Your Partner Throughout the Day
   It’s easy to get separated during the reception as guests try to talk with you. Consider making a rule to spend no more than five minutes apart at a time.
   Not only does this help you experience the day together—it also creates more meaningful documentary images of the two of you actually celebrating side by side.
6. Skip the Long List of Friend Group Photos
   After family photos, adding friend group shots can make the day feel like a checklist. Instead, visit friends at their dinner tables or during cocktail hour. This creates space for quick, genuine candids without pulling you away from the experience.
   If you want a photo of everyone, consider:
   -A wide photo of guests seated during the ceremony
   -A group shot on the dance floor before open dancing
   -Both options save time and keep the day flowing—plus, you still get to eat and breathe!
   -For more intimate guest photos, hiring a portrait photographer during cocktail hour can be a great option. Guests get meaningful portraits, and you get them documented without being pulled away.
7. Don’t Orchestrate Moments Just for the Camera
   When planning moments like first looks or parent reveals, treat them as if the camera isn’t there. Instead of elaborate setups, let things happen naturally—opening a door, walking into a room, or simply finding each other. The more authentic the moment, the stronger the photo.
   

Rethinking “Must-Have” Wedding Photos

There’s a familiar formula many couples expect to see:

• Dress hanging perfectly on a door
• Parent buttoning the dress by a window
• Styled invitation suites
• Tapping shoulders during first looks
• Wedding party cheering at the camera

You can picture these instantly because you’ve seen them everywhere.

But ask yourself: How important are these to you—really?
Would you miss them if they didn’t happen? Would you print them?

A Documentary wedding photographer challenges this formula. Instead of staging moments, we capture your day as it naturally exists—your dress where it’s already hanging, your bouquet resting on a reception table, or your first kiss with guests cheering behind you.

Often, these unscripted moments end up being even more meaningful than the expected shots.

You Can Still Create Fun, High-Energy Moments

Documentary doesn’t mean boring.

If you want an amazing dance floor, assign a few trusted guests fun “jobs”—starting a limbo, forming a dance circle, or kicking off a train. If something matters to you, tell your friends ahead of time or in the moment.

You’re allowed to shape your experience—just without turning it into a photoshoot.

Final Thoughts

It’s completely okay to have a handful of moments you want photographed—this is your day. Just keep those priorities simple so your wedding can flow naturally.

The goal of a documentary wedding photographer is for you to have an incredible experience first—and photos that help you relive it honestly for years to come.

I hope this helps as you plan your wedding day and decide which wedding photography style feels most like you. Need more info? Check out my post on picking the right wedding photographer and learn about other shooting styles.