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

A lot of people love the idea of “Documentary” wedding photography these days, but to be honest, it’s not the style most people think it is. What most people consider documentary style is a lot of “plandids” aka planning moments and poses for the day strictly for taking photos, but still capturing folks in candid moments. This style is wonderful and often the go-to for a lot of my couples! However, I get requests for purely documentary photos, and I want to make sure it’s understood. Let’s break down what it means to be a documentary wedding photographer. If you love real, genuine moments and hate the idea of planning a timeline around getting the “must-have” shots and making your day feel like a performance, true documentary style may be for you. This means that while we take family photos and a couple group photos, they are not taking over a large chunk of the day and we prioritize you being with your people. I focus most on natural interactions between you and your loved ones, without interrupting for forced photo. Real moments can look a little messier and not in the most perfect light or backdrop, but their focus is the people and our story.

Is documentary photography what you really want?

Are you comfortable with how you look in photos without a lot of direction?
Do you prefer images that are a little messier and real?
Is it easy for most of you and your loved ones to express emotion openly?
Are you eager to be completely present in your day, and not treat it as a production?

If you answered “yes” to the above, I think you will love this style for your wedding. Take a look below to see how to get the best documentary photos possible with minimal interruptions.

• The number one key is TIME. If your timeline is filled with something new every 20 minutes of the day, it suddenly turns into a to-do list and not a day your are fully present in. Hire me for longer if that means you can take your time putting on your wedding attire, enjoying family and friends outside during wedding party photos, and not having to look at me or a planner to make sure we don’t have to move on to the next thing.

• Keep wedding party and family photos simple. You may have a lot of friends and family, I get the temptation to try and list out a photo with every single one. But think about every shot taking 2 minutes each, IF everyone is already present and paying attention to hop into for the next shot. My advice is keep your list short to the most important people, and spend your time interacting with the rest. I’ll be by your side, capturing the hugs, tears, and laughter, and those emotions can be much more meaningful than a shot of you both smiling at a camera.

• Having too many vendors follow you around. I always say the experience is more important than photos. I can take the “perfect” photo, but you will associate the experience with it. If documentary photos appeal to you, imagine what it would be like to have me, a second photographer, a videographer, and their assistant all following you around. Suddenly, every moment is a photo shoot with this entourage. This doesn’t mean you should not have video or a second photographer, but let’s have a conversation about you and your partner’s space, how much we will interact, and when one only one or two documenters need to be present.

• Communicate with your friends and family about the style of photos you want for your day. Some friends and moms want the absolute best photos possible for you, which isn’t always the style or shots you actually want. If you don’t want your day to be filled with posed shots, let them know that you hired me to capture organic images of you and your people, so they won’t suggest forced shots while you’re soaking in the day. It may help them be present too!

• Stick with your partner during your wedding day. It can be easy to split up and not see each other for an hour of the reception if guests are trying to talk with you. Make a rule to spend no more than 5 minutes apart a time to make sure you are celebrating with them!

• Don’t make a long list of friend group shots. After family photos, this can really add to making it feel like a to do list. Instead, make a note of what table they are during dinner and go visit with them, where we can grab quick candids. 

• If you want a photo of everyone, going around every table at dinner for a photo can take the entire time (and sometimes even longer). People want to talk and visit with you, so it’s hard to get away. I recommend a photo of everyone at the ceremony while they are seated, or a quick group photo on the dance floor before the dancing opens. It frees you up to visit with tables and not rush for a shot list that likely won’t be finished by the time dinner is wrapped. Also, you need to eat and breathe too! For a more intimate shot of guest, consider hiring a portrait photographer at cocktail hour. This gives guests the opportunity to have a portrait taken withe their family or partners. You may not be in it with them, but you’ll have them documented and they go home with a meaningful wedding favor.

• Don’t orchestrate moments simply because the camera is there. When incorporating moments like first looks with parents, your partner, or the wedding party, treat it as if there is no one there pointing a camera at you. Instead of a grand setup for you both to turn around and see each other, one of you can simply open a door and walk into a room.
  

• Consider how important those “safe shots” are to you. There is a formula that has developed over the years in the wedding world, and its become what everyone expects to see in wedding photos:

1. Wedding dress hanging over a door
2. Bride getting buttoned up with mom by a window
3. Groom straightening tie or cuffs by a window
4. Invitation Suite styled with florals and ribbon
5. First look where bride taps partner’s shoulder
6. Wedding bouquet held in front of bride
7. Wedding Party all cheering at camera while the couple kisses

The list goes on, but I’m sure you can imagine these images perfectly because you’ve seen them a million times! And you may have it in your head that some of these are obviously something you expect to see. But how important are these to you? Do you just expect them because you thought that’s what is supposed to happen? A lot of these are beautiful shots, but they are completely set up by the photographer “for the photo.” Imagine if we just let your day be as it is, would you be sad about missing some of these? Are there any you know you would never print out? It’s important to know because in documentary photography, we’d rather capture the dress where it’s hanging when we walk in, and focus on your time with your people as opposed to spending 15 minutes trying to find a place to hang and style a dress. Maybe the ceremony site has a cool layout that allows me to photograph your first kiss with your guests in the background cheering you on, or the bouquet laid on a reception table with cake and party favors laying around. My point is, don’t limit yourself to this formula, realize that your day and photos may be even better than these shots.

There are still ways to create fun moments without making it a photoshoot! If you want to make sure your dance floor is a hit, assign certain dependable guests fun jobs: When one song comes on, have a friend rip his tie off and start a limbo contest. When another comes on, have your siblings start a train or tunnel. Do you love it when people form a circle around the couple during the last dance? It’s your wedding, tell your friends that it’s important to you either beforehand or in the moment! 

Along with this, it’s ok to have a handful of moments you want to make sure are photographed. It’s your day, don’t be afraid to say what you need! Just be sure to keep those things simple to allow your day to flow. The goal is for you to have the best time without it feeling like a photoshoot. I hope this helps as you plan your day!