What is a Documentary-Style Wedding Photographer?

I’m proud to be a documentary-style wedding photographer. However, I find that many of the couples I work with don’t know what that is or aren’t sure if it’s right for them. In this post, I’m going to demystify some of the misconceptions around what this type of photographer is and help you figure out if my style is right for you! 

What is a Documentary-Style Wedding Photographer?

A documentary-style wedding photographer captures what happens when it happens. Instead of posing couples or making them do things that don’t look or feel natural, I let couples be themselves and enjoy the moment. 

I also shine when it comes to candids, action shots, and dance-floor moves. Basically, anything that is happening in real-time, I’ll find a way to capture it uniquely and beautifully. 

Don’t we have to pose at least a little bit? I don’t know what to do in front of a camera!

Don’t worry, I’ve got that covered! I’ll give you prompts and games that make posing feel fun and natural. Some of my prompts include: whispering your favorite vegetable to your partner in your sexiest voice, dramatically sniffing your loved-one’s hair (it turns out cuter than it sounds, trust me), and tracing your favorite shape on your loved one’s face. These all sound pretty weird at first, but they will invoke connection and inspire some amazing laughing moments. 

I also give you prompts that create movement and physical touch, like spinning, lifting, and jumping. This makes your couple photos even more romantic and fun. 

“I often look at other people’s wedding photos and am surprised at how similar the shots are throughout the albums. They all look almost the same. Jennifer has a way of capturing the beauty of each moment while also creating variety in the angles, lighting, and distance to create a feeling of having been there.” –Hailey and Ryan

What is the difference between a documentary-style photographer and a photojournalist?

Both are similar, but a photojournalist captures the moments exactly as they come. A documentary-style photographer, on the other hand, moves the empty beer bottles out of the way and finds the best lighting for the couple to stand in. Essentially, I just make the small tweaks that enhance a photo rather than capturing everything exactly as it is, mess and all.

“She captured all the beauty of Costa Rica, of the tropical flowers, the beautiful venues, and the amazing sunset. But what I want to focus on is how I feel every time I see our pictures. Jennifer captured every detail in such a magical way that when I look at our photos, I know exactly how I was feeling in that moment. I feel as if I am reliving our wedding day.” –Paola and Zach

I want as many candids as possible! How do I ensure I get those?

By booking a documentary-style wedding photographer such as yours truly, of course! A documentarian style relies heavily on capturing candid, in-the-moment shots. So, your gallery will be bursting with the candid wedding photos of your dreams!

I want dancing photos without them being awkward. Is that even possible?

Absolutely! I specialize in candid action shots, actually (check out the dynamic photos toward the end of this post). To get the best photos possible, I go out on the dance floor and capture the top-notch dance moves while they’re happening. Getting up close and personal is the way to go with these!

I don’t like the ultra-posed, too-good-to-be-true photos. Can I avoid those on my wedding day?

That’s why I’m here: I believe your wedding should not feel like a magazine photoshoot. Instead, I focus on capturing moments as they happen and giving you prompts that feel realistic, not staged. You’ll still look gorgeous—don’t worry about that at all—but it will all be done in a much more natural way. 

“You can capture emotion, which is the essence of stopping time for a moment. To hold forever.” -Heather

A Documentary-style wedding photographer is exactly what I’m looking for! How do I book you?

Yay, let’s move this process forward! Just give me some details about the party you’re planning in my contact form, and I’ll be in touch shortly!