Documentary Style Wedding Photography: Your Complete Guide
Authentic moments.
Unscripted emotion.
These are the hallmarks of documentary style wedding photography, which focuses on capturing the authentic connections, emotions and true meaning of wedding days.
Whether you’re a couple searching for the right wedding photographer or a photographer looking to refine your craft, we’re here to guide you through everything you need to know about this style that’s growing in popularity.
What is documentary style wedding photography?
Unlike traditional wedding photography, which centers around staged poses and structured shots, documentary wedding photography focuses on artistically capturing the most meaningful moments of a couple’s wedding day.
Why choose documentary style photography?
The benefits of a candid approach
Authenticity: Your wedding day as it truly happens, not a series of staged moments.
Emotion: The laughter, tears, and fleeting moments are preserved forever.
Less Stress: No awkward posing, just natural interactions.
Timeless Storytelling: Your wedding album will feel like a visual novel, not a posed photo shoot.
How to choose the right photographer
Finding the right photographer for your wedding can be overwhelming. Here’s what to look for:
- Portfolio: Does their work reflect genuine, unstaged moments?
- Experience: Do they have a background in photojournalism or storytelling photography?
- Approach: Do they blend into the background or direct couples too much?
- Testimonials: Have past couples praised their ability to capture emotions naturally?
Common myths about documentary style wedding photography
❌ You don’t get any formal or fun portraits
✔️ While the focus is on candids, most documentary style wedding photographers still capture portraits of the couple, as well as groups. The difference is this usually takes up less time than traditional wedding photographers would require.
❌ It’s easier than traditional wedding photography.
✔️ Well, no. Documentary style wedding photographers still capture many of the traditional moments of a wedding day – the bride getting into her gown, first looks, marriage license signing, cake cutting, and more – but they just do it faster, and with less posing.
A skilled documentary wedding photographer needs to know how to anticipate moments before they happen so they can be in the right place at the right time to quickly capture the shot in a way that maximizes visual appeal and emotional storytelling.
❌ All the photos are grainy and out of focus.
✔️ While some photographers intentionally embrace a filmic, grainy aesthetic for its nostalgic and artistic appeal, the broader documentary approach is about capturing real, unscripted moments, not a specific visual style.
Many documentary photographers use sharp, well-lit images while still maintaining authenticity, focusing on composition, emotion, and storytelling rather than staging or perfection.