10 ways to tell if you are or aren’t hiring a Documentary Wedding Photographer

How do you know you’re about to hire a “Documentary” style wedding photographer? The term documentary wedding photographer is perhaps one of the most widely used, and some may say misunderstood styles in wedding photography. So what is it that really sets a true documentary wedding photographer apart from all the other equally valid styles of wedding photography? If you’re beginning your search for a photographer, and chatting with, or even able to observe them at a friend’s wedding, then hopefully these ten signs might help you to decide if hiring a documentary wedding photographer is right for you.

1. Their Instagram feed is more than just photos of the couple, and definitely no “styled shoots” (These can usually be identified by the long list of suppliers credited in the caption of any such post, including links to the workshop organiser and model couple.) This is because documentary wedding photographers are interested in telling the real story of the wedding day, including family, guests, and even the suppliers that help to make your wedding what it is.
2. True documentary photographers keep on shooting beyond the obvious moments. Like the previous point, this is because they want to create a more nuanced set of pictures, and rather than simply ticking off a series of predictable shots, the documentary wedding photographer realises that emotionally significant moment continue to happen after the first kiss for example, or after the speeches and first dance.
3. Documentary wedding photographers haven’t got their phone out, making behind the scenes Instagram stories and content during your wedding. This is because they realise there is only one opportunity to capture those little moments that will be with you for the rest of your lives together. When it comes to social media documentary photographers let their pictures do the talking.
4. They arrive early and stay late. Whilst every wedding is different, documentary wedding photographers generally want to photograph the whole day including getting ready and the evening shenanigans. This is because they know there will be memorable moment happening from the morning of the wedding until late at night.
5. Documentary wedding photographers are not weighed down by camera gear. This is because they tend not to use fancy camera tricks that may go out of style. Instead they appreciate the authenticity and rawness of the photograph and understand that they can respond more quickly to moments if they are light on their feet and know their camera and lens inside out.
6. They do group photos! Ok, this one is controversial. Documentary wedding photographers try to distinguish themselves from other photographers by not showing formal family photos on their website and socials, but the reality is that they will be able to advise on how to get the balance right, to capture your nearest and dearest in group photos, while also not missing out on the candid moments happening all around.
7. They’re not giving you advice about how to do things on your wedding day, like how to do the confetti, or how to cut your wedding cake. Not only would they be missing other photo opportunities if they spent their time explaining how to do this or that throughout the day, but they want you to do your wedding your way, rather than attempt to recreate the same shots at every wedding they photograph. They will on the other hand use their experience to give practical advice on things such as wedding day timings or how to achieve the best light for your photos. When couples enquire with me, they will receive my tips and advice, but I stop short of telling them how their day should look and feel.
8. They’re not obsessing over the latest wedding trends. This is because they realise that these trends are temporary and will date quickly. Instead documentary wedding photographers focus on creating a set of pictures that will become a family heirloom and stand the test of time.
9. They want to get to know you and your backstory before the wedding day. It might seem strange that your wedding photographer wants to know all about you, but for the documentary photographer, your personalities, family situation and interests could influence the photos, and help to create more meaningful images.
10. Their interest in photography extends beyond weddings. The wedding industry can seem like a bit of a bubble at times, and documentary wedding photographers are likely to have had an interest in photography more generally, long before becoming a wedding photographer. This means that they might have an interest in film, perhaps have a collection of photo books, and enjoy going to exhibitions.
11. (Bonus point!) Documentary wedding photographers are not very prolific on TikTok (in fact, they may not even be on TikTok) It’s worth remembering that TikTok is a video sharing app that favours short and snappy content, design to grab your attention, with a catchy hook or trending audio. Documentary photographers on the other hand are far more interested in creating work for the longterm. The kind of photography content that does well on TikTok tends to be very carefully curated images of the couple, staged photos of good looking guests and wedding decor and details, rather than showcasing the full story of the day. TikTok also tends to reward those photographers who want to put themselves infront of the camera, either giving advice, sharing their camera gear or jumping on the latest trend in an effort to boost their engagement. This does not come naturally to a documentary wedding photographer! We want you to do your wedding YOUR way. The best place to find a documentary wedding photographer is still Google, but be sure to do a deep dive into their website and blog posts and if you choose to get in touch, ask to see full wedding galleries, as this is hands down the best way to get a feel for their approach and what you can actually expect to receive.

Documentary Wedding Photographer

Check out Sophie & Hersh’s wedding at Pembroke Lodge. They’d met me at a friend’s wedding a few years ago and loved my documentary style. Sophie even spotted herself in my portfolio while searching for a photographer, which may have clinched the booking!