Posts tagged unposed wedding photography
The Wedding Bowl, Cuvier Club Wedding | Nina and Jonathan
 

As a wedding photojournalist, capturing Nina and Jonathan’s day meant preserving every laugh, every tear, and every beautifully unguarded moment. The kind you cannot plan. The kind you feel. Even a wild squirrel joined the celebration, running right through the ceremony like it had a front-row seat to love. Honestly, iconic. 🐿️

Their wedding ceremony at The Wedding Bowl and reception at Cuvier Club were filled with a burst of joy, colors, lots of tequila shots, and party; wrapped in orange 🧡🍊 and light blue 💙, and then, bright, calm, playful, and full of heart. Every detail felt intentional, but nothing felt forced. Just like documentary wedding photography which lets people be exactly who they are.

Their love story is just as sweet. Jonathan asked Nina to marry him during a boat ride when she caught a floating bottle drifting in the water. Inside was a note that said, “Will you marry me?” She said yes, and right after that, it started to rain. Like a movie scene. Nina’s mom believes the rain was a sign from her dad in heaven, showing his love and presence. I mean, C’mon. 😭

As a wedding photojournalist, these are the moments I live for. The laughter that sneaks up on you. The tears that come out of nowhere. The stories that hold so much meaning beneath the surface. A true reminder of why authentic and candid wedding photography matters so much.

📸 by me and Brett

 
Let's talk. Yay!
 
The Story Behind Our Best Documentary Wedding Photos: A Real-Life Case Study
 

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.

Let’s Make Some Magic Together
 
St. Francis Episcopal Church & Palos Verdes Golf Club Wedding - Sarah + Ryan

Last summer, Sarah cried or looked like she was crying when we said bye to each other after her wedding reception ended. She later wrote, " I see you like a friend and can I honestly tell you it makes me sad that we don't get to hang out now?" Sarah and Ryan live in Chicago, and it's amazing how much I get to know two complete strangers and be able to connect with them, their close friends and family on wedding day, which is why I love weddings so much; it's like a summary of who you are, where you came from, who you're surrounded.

Here are some of my favorites; their ceremony was held at St. Francis Episcopal Church in beautiful Palos Verdes and the reception was at Palos Verdes Golf Club.