You ever look at a photo and think, “How the heck did they even get that shot?”
Like the one where the groom is wiping away a tear as his bride walks down the aisle. Or the flower girl is mid-scream and someone in the background is losing it with laughter?
Yeah… those are our favorite moments too.
Let’s pull back the curtain on one of our favorite weddings and show you exactly how these kinds of real, raw, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments happen. This is the behind-the-scenes of what it’s like working with a documentary wedding photographer—aka someone who’s basically a stealth ninja with a camera.
The Wedding: Unscripted, Emotional, and Just So THEM
We’ll call them J+M (because they’re sweet and private and trusted us with their most intimate moments). Their wedding wasn’t about being perfect. It was about being real. A backyard setup. Homemade cupcakes. A last-minute rain plan (hello, tents).
There was no “stand here and smile” moment. Just two people surrounded by their humans, doing life-changing stuff with laughter, nerves, and one wildly enthusiastic flower dog named Toast.
How the Best Documentary Photos Happened
1. No Posing. Just Presence.
We didn’t ask them to fake laugh. They were actually laughing. Why? Because we gave them space to be fully present - not perform. When you forget the camera’s there, magic happens.
2. Trust is Everything.
J+M trusted us to be there - not hidden in the background, but fully present with them. That’s how we caught the hug between the bride and her grandma in the kitchen. No one else saw it, but we did - because we were part of the moment, just with cameras in hand.
3. Anticipating Emotion, Not Chasing It
We don’t wait for things to happen. We feel when they’re about to. It’s instinct built over years. That tearful moment right before the vows? We were already there, dialed in, shutter ready.
4. Blending In Like a Guest (But With Better Shoes)
People tend to forget we’re there. Seriously. We dress like guests, we smile, we chat a bit - then fade into the background and let stories unfold. That’s the secret sauce of the best documentary photographer: invisibility.
Why This Matters to You
Weddings can be messy, beautiful, and totally unpredictable. And that’s where we thrive. These are your memories - not a Pinterest board checklist. When you work with a wedding photojournalist, you’re getting more than pretty pictures.
You’re getting the truth. In all its tender, hilarious, and chaotic glory.
Thinking of Skipping the Poses Too?
If you want wedding photos that feel like you - not a version of you playing a role - let’s talk. We’re not here to tell you where to stand or what to do with your hands all day long. We’re here to tell your story.
Unfiltered. Emotional. Real.
Because that’s what lasts forever.
