It’s About Storytelling, Not Orchestration

Documentary photography is about truth — raw, unposed emotion, and the real energy of the day. It’s not about perfect hair placement, Pinterest boards, or someone telling you to “act natural” while you stare into the sun.

You get to live your wedding day fully. Laugh, cry, dance, spill a drink — it’s all part of the story. My job is to anticipate and capture those moments without interrupting or re-staging them.

A Few Groups Are Fine — But Let’s Not Miss the Point

Yes, we can absolutely set aside a small window for a few family and wedding party groupings. Those are important, and I’m happy to handle them efficiently. But if the day becomes a never-ending series of posed lineups, it defeats the entire purpose of hiring a photojournalist.

When you hire a documentary photographer, you’re trusting them to capture the real story — not to manufacture one.

The Website Is the Offer

What you see on my website is deliberate. It attracts couples who want their day documented naturally — without having to think about being photographed, and without enduring hours of fake smiles and sore feet.

Assume what’s on the website is what’s offered. It’s not a menu of styles or something to be customized. If you love that approach, you’re in the right place.

Micromanaging and Documentary Don’t Mix

A documentary photographer can’t be “directed.” This style depends on intuition, observation, and creative flow. If you hire someone for their unique perspective, the best thing you can do is let them do their thing.

Hiring a creative artist isn’t like hiring a laborer to clean your gutters — where the job is either done or it isn’t. It’s about trust. The process, the personality, and the post-production are all part of the signature style you’re paying for.

Know What Fits You

This approach isn’t for everyone. If you love the idea of a day filled with coordinated poses and artistic direction, there are talented traditional photographers who do that beautifully.

But if you’d rather enjoy your day without interruption — if you value authenticity over perfection, and want the kind of images that feel alive when you look back — documentary might be your jam.

It’s for couples who don’t want to perform, who don’t want to “act married” for the camera. They want to be married, and have it captured as it happens.

Whose wedding is it anyway? 

Documentary photographers work for the couple — not for the family, wedding party, or anyone else with opinions. No matter who’s footing the bill, the story belongs to you.

So when you’re choosing your wedding photographer, think about the experience you want to have. Do you want orchestration, or do you want real moments unfolding naturally? The answer will tell you everything. 

Compromise? 

Every so often, someone asks if I can “mix styles” — a little documentary, a little posed, a little directed. The honest answer? No.

Blending fundamentally different approaches waters down what makes documentary photography powerful. The integrity of true storytelling comes from letting the moments happen, not forcing them into a hybrid that pleases everyone.

I’d rather lose a booking than compromise that philosophy. Not because I’m stubborn — but because I care about giving couples the experience and result they actually hired me for. Also to offer couples what I do best, and am known for. If you want staged perfection, there are many photographers who specialize in that. If you want the story told as it truly unfolded — that’s where I come in.

In closing

These days, the term “documentary wedding photographer” gets tossed around a lot — sometimes as a buzzword rather than a true approach. Many photographers claim a documentary style, but still rely heavily on direction, staging, and orchestrated moments. I’ve found it works best for both me and my clients to stay true to what I do best: capturing the day as it naturally unfolds. Every photographer has their own approach and level of adherence to their style, and this article aims to help you understand the difference — so you can choose what will work best for your wedding.