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The Benefits of Hiring a Documentary Wedding Photographer

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Wedding Tips, Weddings

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who can capture the real moments and emotions of your special day, consider hiring a documentary wedding photographer. Unlike traditional photographers who focus on posed and staged shots, documentary photographers aim to capture the candid moments that make your wedding unique. Learn more about this style of photography and how it can help you remember your wedding day for years to come.

candid photo of a bride throwing her head back in laughter at something ridiculous the groom says to her

What is a Documentary Wedding Photographer?

A documentary wedding photographer is a photographer who specializes in capturing candid moments and emotions during a wedding. Unlike traditional wedding photographers who focus on posed and staged shots, documentary photographers aim to capture the real moments that make your wedding unique. The result is a collection of photos that tell the story of your wedding day in a natural and authentic way.

Documentary wedding photographers often work in a photojournalistic style, documenting the day as it unfolds without interfering or directing the action. Documentary photographers avoid using emotionally based prompts to coerce or emotionally manipulate subjects. (For example, asking the mother of the bride an emotionally charged question that the photographer knows or assumes will make her cry or bring her to tears. That’s emotional manipulation by the photographer for the intended result of photographing it. Kinda messed up when you think about it, but it’s a common approach with many photographers.)

The Importance of Capturing Candid Moments

Candid moments are what make your wedding day unique and special. They are the moments that you will look back on and remember for years to come. A documentary wedding photographer understands the importance of capturing these moments and will work tirelessly to ensure that they are documented in a natural and authentic way. From the first look to the last dance, a documentary photographer will be there to capture every moment, allowing you to relive your wedding day over and over again.

Often, I am very quiet on a wedding day, and that’s because I don’t want to interfere with any of the naturally occurring candid moments. I’m not a regular person in your life. I’m there not only to document the day overall, but all the little things within that day, including your relationships with your people. I do a lot of people-watching and studying. It might not look like much, but documenting a wedding is a very mentally taxing job since I’m often watching multiple scenes unfold at once and documenting all of them at the same time!

Documentary wedding photo of a bride and groom dancing to disco for their first dance as guests circle around them on the dance floor and clap along.
Documentary wedding photo shot on 35mm film. Processed and scanned by Indie Film Lab.

The Emotional Impact of Documentary Wedding Photography

Documentary wedding photography is not just about capturing beautiful images, it’s about capturing the emotions and feelings of the day. A skilled documentary photographer will be able to capture the joy, love, and happiness that you and your guests experience throughout the day. These images will transport you back to the moment and allow you to relive the emotions of your wedding day for years to come. So, if you want to capture the true essence of your wedding day, consider hiring a documentary wedding photographer.

We make memories with more than just sight. We use all of our senses. My images are edited in a way that will as accurately reflect the atmosphere of the event as possible. If you had a dim, candlelit dinner reception, your images will reflect that. I want you to be immediately transported back to that moment, with those people, so you’ll always remember it just as it was.

The Art of Storytelling Through Photography

Documentary wedding photography is all about telling a story through images. A skilled documentary photographer will capture the small details and moments that make your wedding day unique, from the nervous excitement of getting ready to the tears of joy during the ceremony. By focusing on the emotions and interactions between people, a documentary wedding photographer can create a visual narrative that tells the story of your wedding day in a way that posed and staged photos simply can’t.

I always tell my clients a photo can fool everyone, but it can’t fool the people in it. Because you’ll know what was going on when it was taken. I don’t want my clients to look at their photos and think of their photographer. Of something the photographer made them do. Instead, I want them to think of the fun they were having with their friends and family. With their spouse. How they were feeling at that moment. What good are good photos if you were uncomfortable the entire time and now when you see the photos, all you think about is being uncomfortable?

candid photo of a bride's grandmother bending down to smell her bouquet of flowers

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Documentary Wedding Photographer

Hiring a professional documentary wedding photographer can provide many benefits for your special day. Not only will they capture the candid moments and emotions that make your wedding unique, but they will also tell the story of your day through their images. A documentary photographer will have the ability to capture the small details and interactions between people that make your wedding day special. By choosing a documentary wedding photographer, you can ensure that your wedding photos will be more than just pretty pictures, but a visual narrative that tells the story of your day for years to come.

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