What it’s really like to work with a documentary-style wedding photographer

Wedding photography doesn’t have to mean stiff poses and missing cocktail hour because you’re wrangling every cousin for group shots. It can be easy. Fun. And actually feel like a celebration — not a photoshoot.

That’s why I shoot weddings the way I do. Documentary-style wedding photography is about telling the story of your day as it really happens — from the major moments the in-betweens.

So what does that actually look like? Let me walk you through it.

1. We’re not starting with a shot list (we’re starting with you)

Before your wedding day, we chat. You tell me what you love, what you hate, what parts of the day you’re most excited about, and what moments matter most to you. You don’t need to know all the photo lingo or bring me a Pinterest board (unless you want to!). I’m here to listen and get a feel for your vibe. This isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about making sure I know what to look for when your day unfolds.

2. On the day of: I’m there, but not in your face

You won’t hear me saying “look at me and smile!” twenty times. I’m in the background, observing. I’m documenting the way your partner’s face softens when they see you, the way your friends hype you up in the getting ready room, the way your hands reach for each other when you think no one’s watching. I move with the energy of the day. If it’s chaotic, I’m weaving through it. If it’s calm, I’m giving space. You do you—I’ve got the rest.

3. I’ll give you gentle guidance when it matters

Candid doesn’t mean zero direction. I’m not going to leave you hanging, especially during portraits or couple’s photos. But instead of orchestrating a dramatic pose, I'll be giving small but specific directions that prompt you in ways that bring out natural interaction. You won’t feel like you’re posing—you’ll just be being, and I’ll capture it.

4. Film + Digital = The best of both worlds

I shoot both film and digital (and yes, it’s the real-deal, old-school kind of film). Film adds a layer of intentionality. It slows things down. It captures warmth and imperfection in a way digital just can’t fake. The final gallery blends that softness with the flexibility of digital, giving you a mix that’s timeless, emotional, and honestly just cool as hell.

5. Your day stays about you, not the photos

Here’s my hot take: your wedding photos should revolve around the day—not the other way around.

So no, I’m not pulling you away for 90 minutes of sunset portraits. I’m not stealing you from your cocktail hour unless you want to sneak away for a breather. We get the important shots without hijacking the flow of your day. You deserve to soak up every minute of it.

6. Yes, we’ll still get the must-have shots

Group photos? Got you. Family formals? We’ll knock them out quickly and painlessly. You can have laid-back, unposed wedding photography and still get those frame-worthy shots with your favorite people. We just do it in a way that doesn’t suck the soul out of the day.

7. The final gallery feels like your day—not a photoshoot

When you get your photos, you’ll relive moments you forgot happened. The quiet in-between ones. The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it stuff. The tears, the chaos, the joy, the weird little things that make your day yours.

It won’t feel like someone else’s wedding with your faces pasted in. It’ll feel like you.

Looking for a documentary-style Portland wedding photographer?

Whether you're getting married in the heart of Portland or somewhere far overseas - let's chat about your 2025-2027 celebration.

TL;DR?

Working with a documentary-style wedding photographer means:

• More presence, less pressure

• Real moments over fake poses

• A photographer who moves with your energy, not against it

• Film + digital magic

• A gallery that tells your story—not someone else’s idea of it