Blog #5- What do I “NEED” from clients to make epic Documentary Wedding images
Who needs a set up first look with friends when you can just walk out and show off?!
Being present is key in Wedding and Family Documentary Photography:
How being present on your wedding day is the one thing I “NEED” you to do as a Documentary Photographer!
I had a groom ask me during a client call what I “needed” to do my job. I was caught off guard as I hadn’t had a client ask me this before! I paused for a moment before I said this: Ignore me and be as present as humanly possible on your day with your loved ones. For many this is divergent way to think about wedding photos but I promise this untraditional approach yields amazing result especially when you focus on the connection between your loved ones and being present for your current adventure
Be Present
Your wedding day is one of the most significant events in your life. It’s a day filled with love, connection, tears, joy, and countless adventures that you’ll cherish forever. As you prep for your big day, there’s one crucial element that I believe can make your wedding photos truly remarkable: being present in the moment. Documentary photography thrives on genuine emotions and spontaneous interactions. That is why when you’re fully present, you allow yourself to experience the day’s emotions without holding back. Your unfiltered laughter, tears, and smiles become a tapestry of genuine moments that tell the true story of your wedding.
Let Go of Perfection
Weddings are inherently emotional, filled with joy, anticipation, and a whirlwind of feelings, making it completely normal to want everything to go exactly according to plan. However, striving for perfection at every turn can sometimes lead to unnecessary stress and tension, which inevitably shows up in your photos. Instead, try to embrace the imperfections and those unexpected, candid moments that naturally arise. When you let go of the need for everything to be flawless, you’ll find yourself feeling more relaxed and open to the spontaneous beauty all around you. I specialize in capturing the true spirit of your celebration—those genuine emotions and unplanned interactions. Often, when we release the grip on a rigid schedule, the magic happens, allowing small, unscripted moments to bloom into the most memorable and cherished memories.
I always say the bigger the smile the bigger the double chin. Now who doesn’t want that kind of joy?!
Focus on the People
The magic of your wedding day isn’t just about the stunning venue, the carefully chosen decor, or the elegant attire—it’s truly about the incredible people who are there to celebrate this milestone with you. It's about the deep connections you share with the special individuals you’ve chosen to spend this once-in-a-lifetime event alongside! My style of documentary photography ensures you get time to spend quality time with them! When you are genuinely engaged with the people around you, I am able to capture your wedding day with real, raw, and sincere evidence of exactly how your day truly felt. Finally, always remember that your wedding day is a joyous celebration of your love and commitment to one another. Allow yourself to be fully present in the moment and savor every single second. Take a deep breath, feel the overwhelming love surrounding you, and let the day naturally unfold. When you’re truly present, your authentic joy and happiness will shine through, creating photographs that are not just pictures, but treasured keepsakes filled with emotion and meaning. Diverging from the tradition of moving from one photo opt to the next on your wedding day allows you to be present with your guests and enjoy your connection and this one in a life time adventure with them more authentically!
Collect evidence of those who you love that spent the day with you!
Trust your Photographer
One of the biggest reasons I do discovery calls when clients is so I can get an understanding of:
1) How the what their day documented
2) What evidence they want to be shown by the end of the night
3) If a documentary style approach is suited to them!
You absolutely have to do your research when it comes to choosing your wedding photographer—it’s plain and simple. You want to find a photographer whose editing style and shooting approach perfectly match how you want to remember your special day. With my style of Documentary Photography, it works best when my clients completely ignore what I’m doing in every way—no posing, no interruptions, just fully living their moments. THAT’S when I’m able to create my absolute best work. My goal is for you to feel exactly how you felt in those precise moments whenever you look back at your wedding album of photos. This philosophy carries over to my family and dog soul sessions as well! I need you to be fully present and engaged with your loved ones so I can capture the richest, most honest moments through my observation. Simply put, I am an observer, not a director. This is often seen as divergent from what people think of as more traditional photography.
So if this is the vision you have for your wedding photography- being able to be full present in your day with your loved ones, then Documentary Photography might be for you!
Side note: I do still do some formal images of:
1) Family Formals
2) Formal Wedding Portraits
But even then they are very vague prompts I give my couple to allow them to be their most true unfiltered self and connect with one another in the most sincere real life way possible. Which produces images like this:
The moments between “Everyone smile on 3”
Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and being present in the moment is the key to capturing its true essences. Documentary photography thrives on genuine emotions and spontaneous interactions. By letting go of perfection, focusing on the people, and simply being present during your day, you’ll ensure that your wedding photos reflect the real beauty and joy of your celebration. Embrace the moment, because your story is enough.