What is Documentary Wedding Photography? I think this is a question that a lot of people have when they start searching for their wedding photographer. With so many photographers out there, it's important to know exactly what makes each one different or it can be hard to find the one that is the right fit!
Documentary Photography is a word that lots of photographers use to describe themselves, and it's meaning can start to get a bit lost or change over time. And really, I think it means something different to each person that uses it!
But here is what it means to me (with some photographic examples!).
Documentary Wedding Photography are those photos that didn't make it onto your shot list.
It's your friends laughing through the hymns at the Church.
It's laughing with your mum during cocktail hour.
It's your flower girl waiting excitedly as she watches guests arrive.
It's your brother in the middle of a dance circle at the reception.
It's a smile and the locking of eyes during your ceremony.
It's your mother in law taking a minute to check that her son is going to make it to the ceremony in time.
It's your first quiet moment, just the two of you, as a married couple.
It's going through a full range of emotions during your first look.
It's all the moments that you don't get to see.
That's what I think is the best part of Documentary Wedding Photography.
It's the photos that you would never think to ask for, but those that perfectly encapsulate what it felt like. It's having photos that show exactly what your day was like, and how it felt to be a part of it - no recreation, no staging, no forced moments, just you and your guests how you naturally are. It's having the ability to observe and find those natural interactions, to make people feel at ease enough that they feel like they're able to be their true selves, and knowing how to step back and let people be - that's when you find the magic, that's how you capture true candid photos.
If this feels like something that you're looking for in a Wedding Photographer, then get in touch below.
