How I Photograph a Wedding — My Documentary Approach
Relaxed, real, story-driven wedding photography across the West Midlands and beyond
When people first get in touch with me, they often say the same thing:
“We just want our photos to feel real — nothing forced, nothing staged, nothing awkward.”
And that’s exactly why I photograph weddings the way I do.
My approach is 90% documentary, 10% editorial.
That means I spend almost the entire day quietly observing, anticipating, and capturing the natural flow of everything that happens — the emotion, the energy, the people, the tiny details you might not even notice in the moment.
Below is a little insight into how I work and what you can expect when you invite me to be part of your day.
What “Documentary Wedding Photography” Really Means
Documentary photography is all about truth — the honest story of your wedding day exactly as it unfolds.
No stiff posing.
No endless group shots.
No pausing to “redo” a moment.
Just real emotion, real people, and photographs that feel like your wedding.
It’s the hand squeeze before walking down the aisle.
The tears that arrive earlier than anyone expected.
The laughter during speeches when someone says something they probably shouldn’t have.
The chaos of the dance floor when the DJ drops that song.
These aren’t moments you can manufacture — they’re lived, and I’m there to catch them as they happen.
Blending In (and Why It Matters)
I want your guests to forget I’m the photographer.
When people feel comfortable, the real moments show themselves.
I move quietly, always watching for emotion, connection, and meaning.
I don’t interrupt.
I don’t direct unless you need a little guidance.
I don’t take you away from your wedding for hours.
Instead, I work like an extra guest with a camera — someone who photographs from within the day, rather than from the outside.
This is how I’m able to capture those intimate, blink-and-you-miss-them moments that often become couples’ favourite images.
Natural, Unposed Storytelling — But With a Touch of Editorial class
While most of the day is documented as it naturally unfolds, you will get a few portraits together.
These aren’t staged or stiff.
No dramatic posing.
No “chin down, shoulder back” nonsense.
Just the two of you, taking a quiet moment together, looking how you naturally look, feeling how you naturally feel.
A short, relaxed walk, some gentle direction if needed, and that’s it.
Beautiful portraits in about 10 minutes.
That’s the 10% editorial — simple, refined, and real.
Handling Family Photos (The Quick & Stress-Free Way)
Even the most documentary-minded couples still want a few family photos — and they matter.
My approach keeps this part painless:
A small, intentional list of 6–10 groups
One location with good light
A helpful usher or best man to gather people
Clear, confident direction
Done in 10–15 minutes
You get the important photographs without missing the reception or feeling like you’re at a photoshoot.
The Moments You Don’t See on the Day
Some of my favourite images happen when couples have absolutely no idea I’m photographing anything.
A parent watching from a distance.
A bridesmaid fixing a dress without being asked.
Children running through fields, chasing each other, or — in some weddings — chasing me because of a “peg game” they invented.
Guests throwing their heads back in laughter.
These tiny, fleeting, human moments are the ones that shape the story of a wedding.
They’re the moments you’ll treasure most when you look back.
Why This Style Matters
Weddings aren’t perfect — they’re emotional, messy, loud, quiet, overwhelming, and beautiful all at once.
Documentary photography honours that.
It gives you:
Images that feel authentic, not performed
Real emotion instead of staged moments
Memories you can recognise yourself in
A record of the day you actually lived
A story that belongs entirely to you
When you look back at your photos in 5, 10, or 30 years, I want you to feel something.
Not just see something — truly feel it.
That’s why I photograph the way I do.
Thinking About Booking? Here’s What to Do Next
If you’re planning a wedding and want your photos to feel natural, honest and full of meaning, I’d love to chat.
Simply send me your date + venue through my contact form, or message me on Instagram.
I reply quickly, and I’m always happy to answer questions or walk you through the process.
Your story deserves to be told beautifully, quietly, and truthfully — and I’d love to be the one to tell it.