Have you ever looked at a photograph and felt as though you could feel the energy of the moment it captured? If so, then you’ve experienced the power of documentary-style photography. Documentary-style photography is more than just taking pictures of people and places. It’s a way to capture moments that tell a story, evoke emotion, and express the unique personalities and experiences of those being photographed. In this blog post, let’s take a closer look at what makes documentary-style photography so powerful.
Telling your story
Documentary-style photography is all about storytelling. It captures moments that convey a feeling or an emotion—moments that paint a picture and tell the story of who you are and what you do. As a documentary-style wedding photographer, it’s my job to make sure I capture the genuine emotion and love that accompanies your wedding day and convey that in your pictures so that you have a physical keepsake of your wedding day to keep forever.
Authenticity
Documentary-style photography is real, authentic, and raw. It doesn’t rely on props or overly posed shots; instead, it captures natural moments as they happen in real life. We will absolutely take some posed photos, so don’t worry about that, but there are so many more details I can capture with documentary-style wedding photography that you simply won’t get with a planned-out photo. Some of the most beautiful photos are taken in the moment, without any planning or posing involved. For example, the first time your parents see you in your wedding dress, loved ones embracing, friends being themselves, or those moments you cannot be present but are captured through the lens that no amount of staging can replace- these are moments filled with emotion and adoration, and they are best captured with as little interference or interruption from me – and documentary-style photography allows me to do that!
Being Present
When shooting documentary-style photos, it’s important to be present in the moment—to be aware of what’s happening around you and how you feel about it. You don’t have to have the most expensive equipment or know every single technical aspect; simply being open to your surroundings and having an appreciation for beauty can go a long way toward making great pictures come alive! I am always mindful of what is going on all around me, not just what I see through my lens, so that I can be sure to capture the moments that may have gone unnoticed, but carry a lot of significance to you and your forever partner.
Going With The Flow
When it comes to documentary-style photography, authenticity is key. My goal is to capture what’s happening in real-time with minimal intervention from me. This means shooting without any extra lighting equipment or props, allowing the natural environment and subject matter to be at their most organic state. More often than not, these images will contain candid moments that are as emotionally powerful as they are visually stunning. A big part of what makes me unique as a documentary-style wedding photographer is my ability to anticipate when the natural lighting is going to create the perfect conditions for an incredible backdrop to your love story.
Documentary-style photography can be a powerful tool for capturing life’s special moments and telling stories about them in an authentic way. By using its core characteristics, I can create stunning images that tell compelling stories without ever having to stage or direct them; and this is exactly what you want on your wedding day: a genuine, real representation of your love for one another and the love your friends and family have for you!