Documentary Wedding Photographer
Photography that allows you to enjoy your day completely
What is Documentary Wedding Photography?
The real story of your wedding from a guests-eye point of view
A Documentary Wedding Photographer will tell the story of your day through candid, unposed images.
It allows you to spend all your time with your friends and family without any awkward posing or hours of formal group shots.
Documentary wedding photography is a style of photography that captures the candid moments of a wedding day as they unfold naturally. Unlike traditional posed wedding photography, documentary wedding photography aims to document the day's story in a photojournalistic manner. This style of photography focuses on capturing the emotions, interactions, and details of the day as they happen, without any manipulation or staging.
Documentary wedding photographers should be discreet and blend into the background, allowing them to capture real moments often missed by the couple and guests. They work to create a visual story of the day, from the preparation to the ceremony to the reception and everything in between. They capture the laughter, tears, and joy of the day, creating images that are natural, real, and full of emotion.
One of the benefits of documentary wedding photography is that it allows the couple to be in the moment and enjoy their wedding day rather than being distracted by posing for photos. With this style of photography, the couple can relax and be themselves, knowing that their photographer is capturing the essence of their day. Documentary wedding photographers are also skilled at capturing the details of the day, such as the flowers, the decor, and the rings, as well as the important moments, such as the first kiss, the first dance, and the cutting of the cake.
Documentary wedding photography is perfect for couples who want to relive their wedding day exactly as it happened. The images created by documentary wedding photographers are a timeless representation of the day, capturing memories and emotions in a way that will be cherished for a lifetime.
In conclusion, documentary wedding photography is a style of photography that captures the natural and spontaneous moments of a wedding day. This style of photography is ideal for couples who want to relive their wedding day exactly as it happened, with images that are natural, real, and full of emotion. Documentary wedding photographers are skilled at capturing the essence of the day and creating a visual story that will be cherished by the couple and generations to come.
Read on to see how documentary wedding photography is the new normal.
For me, an image has to have context and tell a story.
The photograph below, taken at a beautiful wedding in Scotland captures the feelings of Dad as he watches his daughter exchange rings.
Weaving the tale of your Wedding Day.
Documentary Wedding Photography, for me, is about weaving the images together to tell the tale of your wedding.
This genre of wedding photography has several different names;
wedding photojournalism, documentary wedding photography and reportage wedding photography.
I don’t believe there is any difference between the names generally, apart from, perhaps, what the bridal magazines see as the fashionable way to describe natural, storytelling wedding photography.
However, as a Documentary Wedding Photographer, I love photographs like these from my Wedding Photography Blog:
“Documentary Wedding Photography is about creating a unique, authentic set of memories for the wedding day. It's been my privilege to tell over 600 wedding stories in my career. I know that the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have real moments of real people to look back on in celebration of the day.”
— Kevin Mullins
Bridesmaid awaits the bridal party.
It may not be apparent to you, but a good photograph is composed of three critical elements; light, composition and moment.
These three parameters of a picture are always on my mind when I photograph. I'm not going to paparazzi your wedding.
Instead, I'm going to observe and capture the most beautiful moments of your wedding day.
These are the moments that you may never even realise happened.
Photographing weddings is a passion of mine. That's very cliché, I know, but it's crucial for me as a husband and father myself to understand that these incredible tender moments are being captured authentically, subtly and with the integrity of the wedding always in the forefront of my mind.
Bride and Groom share their first kiss.
As a documentary wedding photographer, I have a hands-off approach to shooting.
It manifests itself in you having honest memories of the actual events of the wedding day. I want you to look back at your photographs and be taken instantly back in time.
Why are moments precious?
Almost all memories are derived from images of our past. Some of our earliest interactions with the wonder of photography will have been scratchy prints developed at the local chemist or supermarket. These memories resonate with us because they take us right back to exact moments in time.
Often the story of the day commences well before the wedding ceremony.
Photographing Bridal Preparations gives us a glimpse into those often funny, sometimes anxious, but always imports early moments of the day.
Stories are everywhere.
From the little girl at the front, lost in her thoughts, to clusters of guests deep in conversation.
And by including the venue and details in the coverage, we also get a sense of the environment.
Stories within Stories.
Allowing the moments to evolve.
In years to come, the memories of your wedding will be wrapped up in the photographs. It's essential for me that I allow these micro-stories to evolve naturally.
I'll never interrupt or ask you to smile at the camera. Stories are developing all day throughout the wedding, and I will be there to capture them unobtrusively and with integrity.
Documentary Wedding Photography Photofilm
Below, you can watch the whole wedding photo film of Isobel & Geordie’s gorgeous wedding at St. Giles House.
You'll see the rest of their fantastic day unfold in a series of images that will last forever.
The Details Count.
Does a documentary wedding photographer take photos of dresses? Do they photograph the details of your day?
Yes, of course. Wedding photojournalism is about telling the whole story of your wedding, and the details are part of that. Details such as locations and table decorations are all essential elements of the wedding day too.
Those quirky, funny moments all form part of the wedding story.
I’m a big fan of “people watching.” I do my best to blend into the environment at a wedding.
Using small, discreet cameras, I can often shoot images where people have no idea I’m even there.
Honing this skill has allowed me to get glimpses into the personality of the people at the wedding.
Bridesmaid walking down the Aisle at this Priston Mill Wedding
“Hi Kevin, It was great to be able to pause and reflect on the wedding finally, and of course the photos!
We were very impressed with your ability to blend into the fabric of the wedding itself seamlessly, and please take it as a compliment when I say we barely knew you were there!
But the relaxed and candid photos are a perfect reflection of the nature of the wedding we had planned, so I cannot thank you enough for everything. ”
— Tim & Kat
I would love to document your wedding.
Hopefully, this page goes some way to illustrating my passion as a pure, authentic documentary wedding photographer.
Explore the site further, especially the Journal, Featured Weddings and Photo films.
You may also be interested in my Instagram Channel.
Documentary Wedding Photographer FAQs
Some questions you may have about Documentary Style Wedding Photography
What is Documentary Wedding Photography?
Documentary Wedding Photography is a candid style of Wedding Photography. The Photographer will not direct or pose you throughout the day. The Wedding couple is free to enjoy their wedding while the documentary style wedding photographer creates a set of pictures that tells the story of the day.
What does a Documentary Wedding Photographer shoot?
An excellent documentary wedding photographer will photograph all the moments throughout the day. They are concentrating on the proper use of Light, Composition and Moment. The moments captured will be candid, and often fleeting, resulting in an authentic record of the wedding day.
Will Documentary Wedding Photographers do Group Shots?
Yes. In most cases, a Documentary Wedding Photographer will set aside a small amount of time for family group shots. It is usually a small part of the day, allowing the photographer to shoot candidly for the rest of the day.
Is Documentary Wedding Photography Black and White?
Most Documentary Wedding Photographers will give the right mix of colour and black and white wedding photography. Often it is said that more emotive photographs lend themselves more to black and white, but the colour is an essential part of any wedding celebration.
What is Bridal Prep Photography?
Bridal Prep Photography is when the photographers spend some time with the bride before the wedding. It usually entails photographing the last stages of makeup, and hair preparation as well as pre-wedding nerves and excitement. Not all brides wish to have this part of the day shot.
Why is Documentary Wedding Photography Popular?
Documentary Wedding Photography has become more popular recently. It is partly because professional cameras have become smaller and lighter, but also because the tastes of wedding couples have changed dramatically in recent years.
A Note about Black and White Photography
You will notice that I have a strong affinity for black and white photography. For me, monochrome photography frequently brings out the emotion that colour masks.
However, all my wedding packages include all images in both black and white and colour. Even if an image looks great in one format, you will also have the other version.
A Short Film about My Documentary Wedding Photography Approach
I am proud to be the first official Wedding Photography Global Ambassador for Fujifilm. A role I have held since 2001.
Fujifilm produced this short film in 2016. It shows my thought process and shooting style when I am photographing weddings.
The St. Giles House Wedding of Isobel & Geordie.