You’re getting married!! I’m so excited for you and know that this season is going to be equally stressful as it is blissful. That being said, I created this blog post for you, for that exact reason. I know that you’re on the hunt for the best wedding photographer to document your special day and you’re already seeing “candid”, “editorial”, “documentary”, and “cinematic” and wondering what the hell any of it means. I can agree, it is confusing, especially if you’re not consumed in the photography industry as I am. So, I put together a blog all about what is documentary style wedding photography, what it isn’t and why this might be the perfect style to focus on when looking for your wedding photographer.
What Is Documentary Style Wedding Photography?
At its core, documentary style photography is about paying attention. There’s no need for controlling the moment, recreating an inspo board or asking you to do it again, but “better.” It’s all about noticing what’s already happening and preserving that moment just as it is.
If you looked it up, you’d probably find a definition like: “unobtrusive, storytelling approach that captures genuine, unposed moments as they unfold, rather than directing or staging them.”
And I gotta say, it’s pretty spot on. In practice it may look like this:
- A loved one fixing your veil with slightly shaky hands
- Your partner exhaling right before they say their vows
- Your bestie running over to you with mimosa that is spilling all over the place because she filled it up too much
It’s all about the documentation of real life.
Now, with any wedding day, I’m not naive to not know that you or probably a loved one wants those directed portraits for the living room wall, so we’ll get those too! But mainly, the documentary-style wedding photos will be the vibe for the rest of the day.
Why I Document With a Documentary Style Approach
At the core of Luna Munn, I believe that presence is where everything meaningful lives. Here is why I believe that connection is one of the most valuable forms of humanity:
- connection forms a bond
- a bond builds trust
- trust creates a sense of safety
- safety supports the nervous system
- a calm nervous system allows you to relax
- when you are relaxed you are more present
- when you are present nothing else matters
So, that being said, if you want wedding photos that evoke a feeling even a stranger can feel when looking at them, you have to be connected to what & who you are photographing.
This is why connection is literally the foundation of everything I create because without it, you’re just taking pictures. And I know that is most certainly not the vibe for your wedding day.
What Documentary Style Wedding Photography Is NOT
Now, I know I hinted at this reality above, and maybe you have already come across many photographers that claim to embody a documentary style approach, yet, their photos look wildly different from an actual documentary style photographer (like my work!).
There are a couple things happening in the industry right now that I want you to be aware of as you go on a scavenger hunt for the perfect wedding photographer for your own wedding or elopement.
1. Documentary Style Wedding Photography is trendy right now
Lke with all trends, many feel they need to use the phrase ‘documentary style wedding photography’ to sell their services because lots of folks are wanting this style as it’s becoming more common. Let me be clear, not everyone is actually a documentary style photographer. Sure, any photographer can technically take a candid photo, but those photographers are always going to default to a more stylistic documentary approach, meaning, their prompts are going to be more staged or posed, rather than letting the moment unfold just as it is.
Documentary photography is not something you just sprinkle in between posed shots, it’s a way of seeing the entire day.
2. Saying you’re a Documentary Style Wedding Photographer and being a Documentary Style Photographer are two different lanes
If most of one’s gallery is built from prompts, poses, or recreated moments, that leans more toward editorial photography, which by the way, there is nothing wrong with this style – it exists for a reason! It’s just different. Documentary photography doesn’t rely on direction, it relies on anticipation and awareness of what’s happening in real time.
Editorial vs. Documentary Wedding Photography
Editorial photography is a more directed and styled approach. It’s focus is on composition, posing, and creating a specific look.
Documentary photography is more observational. It focuses on what’s actually happening without interference.
Most photographers are going to fall somewhere on a spectrum between the two. As I mentioned earlier, I lean heavily on documentary with just enough guidance to make sure you don’t feel lost or pressured to get those iconic photos that will have you reliving the day all over again.
Documentary Style Wedding Photography Is For You If You…
- Care more about how your wedding day feels than making sure you get every single photo from your inspo board
- Don’t want to spend your wedding day performing for the camera
- Value real moments over the perfectly posed ones
- Want your photos to reflect your relationships, not just the aesthetics of the day
Documentary Style Wedding Photography Is Not For You If You…
- Want a lot of direction throughout the entire day
- Drawn to highly styled, posed, or editorial imagery
- Feel most comfortable being told directly what to do in front of the camera
At the end of the day, it just depends on what style feels most aligned with your vision and comfortability. Documentary photography isn’t about doing less, it’s about paying attention to the right moments. If my philosophy, and documentary style feel like a great match for your vision, I’d love to connect with you and hear all about what you’re planning! Get in touch with me here to get started.
You’re getting married!! I’m so excited for you and know that this season is going to be equally stressful as it is blissful. That being said, I created this blog post for you, for that exact reason. I know that you’re on the hunt for the best wedding photographer to document your special day and you’re already seeing “candid”, “editorial”, “documentary”, and “cinematic” and wondering what the hell any of it means. I can agree, it is confusing, especially if you’re not consumed in the photography industry as I am. So, I put together a blog all about what is documentary style wedding photography, what it isn’t and why this might be the perfect style to focus on when looking for your wedding photographer.
What Is Documentary Style Wedding Photography?
At its core, documentary style photography is about paying attention. There’s no need for controlling the moment, recreating an inspo board or asking you to do it again, but “better.” It’s all about noticing what’s already happening and preserving that moment just as it is.
If you looked it up, you’d probably find a definition like: “unobtrusive, storytelling approach that captures genuine, unposed moments as they unfold, rather than directing or staging them.”
And I gotta say, it’s pretty spot on. In practice it may look like this:
- A loved one fixing your veil with slightly shaky hands
- Your partner exhaling right before they say their vows
- Your bestie running over to you with mimosa that is spilling all over the place because she filled it up too much
It’s all about the documentation of real life.
Now, with any wedding day, I’m not naive to not know that you or probably a loved one wants those directed portraits for the living room wall, so we’ll get those too! But mainly, the documentary-style wedding photos will be the vibe for the rest of the day.
Why I Document With a Documentary Style Approach
At the core of Luna Munn, I believe that presence is where everything meaningful lives. Here is why I believe that connection is one of the most valuable forms of humanity:
- connection forms a bond
- a bond builds trust
- trust creates a sense of safety
- safety supports the nervous system
- a calm nervous system allows you to relax
- when you are relaxed you are more present
- when you are present nothing else matters
So, that being said, if you want wedding photos that evoke a feeling even a stranger can feel when looking at them, you have to be connected to what & who you are photographing.
This is why connection is literally the foundation of everything I create because without it, you’re just taking pictures. And I know that is most certainly not the vibe for your wedding day.
What Documentary Style Wedding Photography Is NOT
Now, I know I hinted at this reality above, and maybe you have already come across many photographers that claim to embody a documentary style approach, yet, their photos look wildly different from an actual documentary style photographer (like my work!).
There are a couple things happening in the industry right now that I want you to be aware of as you go on a scavenger hunt for the perfect wedding photographer for your own wedding or elopement.
1. Documentary Style Wedding Photography is trendy right now
Lke with all trends, many feel they need to use the phrase ‘documentary style wedding photography’ to sell their services because lots of folks are wanting this style as it’s becoming more common. Let me be clear, not everyone is actually a documentary style photographer. Sure, any photographer can technically take a candid photo, but those photographers are always going to default to a more stylistic documentary approach, meaning, their prompts are going to be more staged or posed, rather than letting the moment unfold just as it is.
Documentary photography is not something you just sprinkle in between posed shots, it’s a way of seeing the entire day.
2. Saying you’re a Documentary Style Wedding Photographer and being a Documentary Style Photographer are two different lanes
If most of one’s gallery is built from prompts, poses, or recreated moments, that leans more toward editorial photography, which by the way, there is nothing wrong with this style – it exists for a reason! It’s just different. Documentary photography doesn’t rely on direction, it relies on anticipation and awareness of what’s happening in real time.
Editorial vs. Documentary Wedding Photography
Editorial photography is a more directed and styled approach. It’s focus is on composition, posing, and creating a specific look.
Documentary photography is more observational. It focuses on what’s actually happening without interference.
Most photographers are going to fall somewhere on a spectrum between the two. As I mentioned earlier, I lean heavily on documentary with just enough guidance to make sure you don’t feel lost or pressured to get those iconic photos that will have you reliving the day all over again.
Documentary Style Wedding Photography Is For You If You…
- Care more about how your wedding day feels than making sure you get every single photo from your inspo board
- Don’t want to spend your wedding day performing for the camera
- Value real moments over the perfectly posed ones
- Want your photos to reflect your relationships, not just the aesthetics of the day
Documentary Style Wedding Photography Is Not For You If You…
- Want a lot of direction throughout the entire day
- Drawn to highly styled, posed, or editorial imagery
- Feel most comfortable being told directly what to do in front of the camera
At the end of the day, it just depends on what style feels most aligned with your vision and comfortability. Documentary photography isn’t about doing less, it’s about paying attention to the right moments. If my philosophy, and documentary style feel like a great match for your vision, I’d love to connect with you and hear all about what you’re planning! Get in touch with me here to get started.
