Have you ever looked at a photo and thought, “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.

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.

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2.

Trust is Everything.

They 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.

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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.

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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, and then we 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.

Vivian and Curtis had to be one of the most unique couples we’ve photographed in 2024. They didn’t want a wedding. They didn’t want a photographer. They don’t like taking photos of themselves without being goofy. They don’t like attention in general. But then, their kindhearted mind was changed to celebrate their love for their parents and extended family who have been waiting for the occasion for a while.

So Brett and I took a short flight to San Jose and documented their day, with a traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony held at the Vivian’s family home first. Surrounded by closed family members, whom by the way LOVE photos. Vivian dressed in elegant ao dai at her brother’s room, symbolizing her cultural heritage.

Following the intimate tea ceremony, the festivities transitioned to a short DYI Chinese tea ceremony, where the couple paid respect to Curtus' side of extended family members. This ceremony was to connect deeply with Curtis’ Chinese roots, joyfully serving tea to their elders, who offered blessings and advice, fostering a sense of unity among generations.

Later in the evening, the wedding reception at Koi Palace in San Jose brought together family from all walks of life. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous feast that featured traditional Chinese dishes, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere. Brett and I sat with the couple and their closed friends and devoured all the delicious food. Just like their simplicity in life, there was no other “wedding traditional” elements in the reception, rather, they had an awesome karaoke stand where many guests started singing and dancing!