You’ve seen it everywhere: “We shoot in a documentary style. Natural. Unposed. Real.” And hey – we’re all for keeping it real. Real laughs. Real tears. Real dogs stealing canapés. But somewhere along the line, documentary wedding photography started to mean something else entirely. And not all of it’s good.
“Just because it’s candid doesn’t mean it’s cute.”
You’ve probably heard all the hype: documentary wedding photography is real, authentic, raw. But let’s talk about the not-so-pretty truth – because sometimes those ‘raw’ moments are just… unflattering. (Do you really want your double chin mid-laugh framed and hung on the wall?) Let’s dive into what works, what doesn’t, and how to get wedding photos that feel just as true – but a whole lot more you.
So, let’s talk about it.
Because while we do love documentary photography (in fact, it’s a huge part of what we do), we also think someone needs to say what everyone’s thinking:
Just because it’s real… doesn’t mean it’s flattering. Or beautiful. Or even worth keeping.
This is your once-in-a-lifetime day. You deserve photos that feel like you – not a poorly lit, unedited memory dump. Let’s dive in.
KEY FACTS:
Documentary wedding photography is all about real, unscripted moments – but not every “real” photo is flattering.
Some documentary-style images can feel chaotic, overly contrasty or emotionally disconnected.
You don’t have to sacrifice beauty for authenticity – there is a middle ground.
A purely hands-off approach may miss your best angles, light, or storytelling moments.
Real moments don’t have to be messy. They can still feel intentional and beautifully composed.
Not all documentary photographers are created equal – style, editing, and storytelling still matter.
The best approach often blends natural storytelling with an experienced eye for emotion and light.
We’re here for emotion, truth, and images you’ll actually want to frame.
A good photographer knows when to stay back – and when to guide gently for the best results.
You deserve images that feel like you, not a random outtake from someone else’s chaos.
The Pros: Why We Love the Documentary Approach
Before we get spicy, let’s start with why this genre took off in the first place – and what it gets very, very right.
1. Real Emotion. No Fake Smiles.
You know what doesn’t age well? Over-posed, mannequin-vibe portraits. But your dad crying during the vows? That will always hit.
A documentary approach means the photographer is present, watching for moments you didn’t even know were happening – the quiet squeeze of a hand, the giggle mid-toast, the dog trying to steal the wedding cake (again).
2. Unobtrusive and Relaxed
No one wants to spend an hour being moved around like a chess piece. A good documentary photographer moves with the flow of the day, capturing it naturally – so you get to live the day, not pose through it.
3. It Tells Your Story
The messy, joyful, chaotic, and beautiful truth of the day – captured as it unfolded. No Pinterest recreations. No artificial sparkle. Just the real thing.
The Cons: When “Real” Goes Wrong
And now… the other side of the coin. Because while we adore authenticity, we also believe in intention.
1. Not All ‘Candid’ Is Worth Keeping
Let’s be brutally honest: some shots are just… not it. We’ve seen award-winning “documentary” photos that made us wince – not because they were emotional or raw, but because they were badly timed and wildly unflattering.
We’re talking close-ups so tight they make you feel like you’ve accidentally opened an anatomy textbook. A beautiful moment? Totally worth capturing. A close-up of your eyelid mid-blink? Not so much.
Real isn’t automatically beautiful. It still takes skill to know what to capture, and when.
2. The Colour Grading Chaos
Here’s the thing: “natural” doesn’t have to mean “unedited.”
We’ve seen documentary-style galleries with skin tones all over the place, flat or overly contrasty edits, and random colour casts that distract from the moment. The result? Photos that feel stressful, not sentimental.
We believe your photos should reflect how your day felt. Warm. Joyful. A bit teary. Not like a chaotic rush job in Lightroom.
3. Intentionality Still Matters
Some photographers use the “documentary” label as a free pass to skip craft. But great documentary work isn’t lazy – it’s anticipatory, reactive, artfully timed, and composed with care.
Yes, we’re fly-on-the-wall when it matters. But we’re also ready to give gentle guidance when needed – because trust us, zero direction doesn’t always lead to relaxed, magical portraits. Sometimes it just leads to slouchy shoulders and a confused groom.
So… What Do We Do?
At this point you might be wondering:
“Wait… aren’t you documentary photographers too?”
Well, yes – and no.
We describe our approach as a hybrid of documentary and creative. We’ll blend in like guests and catch those wild, real, blink-and-you-miss-it moments. But we’ll also know when to step in and make sure you’re not in direct sunlight with panda-eye shadows, or halfway through a nose scrunch when we snap that frame.
Our priorities?
- Real emotion over stiff posing
- Storytelling over trend-following
- Flattering, timeless, feel-good photos over random candids you’ll regret later
Because this day isn’t about proving we’re edgy artists. It’s about you – your love, your people, your joy.
Final Thoughts: Finding the Right Balance
We’re not here to bash documentary photography. In fact, we love it when it’s done with care, heart, and a good eye.
But we also believe you deserve more than an excuse for messy edits and unflattering images in the name of “keeping it real.”
You deserve photos that feel like your day – emotional, natural, and yes, beautiful too.
So, If You’re After…
- Wedding photos that tell your story
- A mix of candid magic and creative beauty
- Photographers who care about how you feel – not just how you look
- A relaxed, empowering experience (with snack breaks and good vibes)
…then we might just be your people.
👇
Check our availability here
Let’s chat about your dream day, and how we can capture it with soul, skill, and a sprinkle of sparkle.
