What is Documentary Wedding Photography anyway?


If you’ve been searching for a Maryland wedding photographer, you’ve likely stumbled across the buzzworthy term “documentary wedding photography.” It's being thrown all over the place these days, but what exactly does it mean and why is it so trendy all of the sudden? What is the difference between documentary and editorial? Is it even what your are looking for? All great questions.


As your friendly neighborhood documentary wedding photographer I am here to answer all these questions at more. Maybe its exactly what you are looking for, maybe its not. Either way I am happy you are here and that I can help you figure it all out.


A dog lies relaxed on a floor while being petted during a training or therapy session.

Capturing the Day as It Unfolds : The art of noticing


At its core, documentary wedding photography (sometimes called reportage or photojournalistic wedding photography) is all about storytelling. Rather than posing every shot or interrupting moments, the photographer blends into the background and captures events as they naturally happen. It focuses on the real emotions and candid moments that make your wedding day uniquely yours .


A good documentary photographer will not only capture what everyone else is looking at but will also document all the little things going on around that might no un-noticed. Things like what your guests are doing during your ceremony or toasts, things that are going on in the background of shots, in between moments that help tell the story. There are many little stories during the big story of your wedding day and a documentary photographer has trained themselves to notice them.


This approach means you can relax and fully immerse yourself in the day without worrying about being interrupted or having to pose. The result? Artistic, fly on the wall, documentation of your day filled with unscripted images that truly capture the feeling and story.



What about family/wedding party photos?


Documentary doesn't necessarily mean that there are no posed photos. Some couple may not wish to have formals photos but for many family formals are still an important part of the day. Events that you want to happen on your wedding day are ment to happen and will be documented. Any family formals or wedding party photos will be taken with care, but you will not be taking them forever and staged photos (like a groom being tossed in the air by his groomsmen) will not be in the plan. The goal is to get the photos you want and then get you back to your day.



Does this mean no direction at all?


Even a documentary wedding photographer will give light direction during family formals and portraits, you kind of have to! But only as much direction is need to get a nice shot and your formal photo time will probably be short to limit the amount of time you have to spend posing.



What about the details?


Details are a part of the day! You can expect a documentary photographer to capture your center pieces, table settings, and cake just like any other photographer. Personally I prefer to document details in the context of a wedding day, so I usually don't set up staged layflats or take close up ring shots but other photographers might.

A candid black and white wedding moment shows guests conversing in a hallway during an intimate reception celebration.

why is documentary photography everywhere all the sudden?


I don't really know for sure, but if I had to take a guess as someone who has been in the industry for over 12 years I would say the rise in documentary wedding photography is a reaction to the overly posed, perfectly curated, images we have been seeing online for the last 15 years. People are interested in something more real, something imperfect, something with more meaning and heart. I think we can also see this phenomenon in the resurgence of film photography. There is something more special about images captured on film and people are looking for that vibe and feeling!

A sweet candid moment captured at a wedding with soft pink roses and white floral bouquets in focus.

Documentary vs. Editorial Wedding Photography: What is the difference?


Editorial and Docuementary are just two different styles of photography. While documentary wedding photography documents a wedding with minimal intervention, editorial wedding photography takes a more directed curated approach. More chic and high-end, like you would see in a magazine.


Many photographers employ parts of many different styles to capture a wedding day and its almost impossible to document a wedding fully one style or another. An editorial photographer will curate moments throughout the day while also capturing candids. A docuementary photographer will do some directing during couple photos but spend the rest of the day being unobtrusive. The important thing will be which style your photographer prioritizes and if those priorities match your vision of your day.


How can you tell if an image is editorial or truely docuementary?


There can be some confusion between the two terms and it can be hard to tell which is which sometimes. It can be even more confusing because some editorial photographers describe their work as "documentary-style" or candid just because the couple is not looking at the camera.


While many styles do share elements and the images might look unposed (the couple is in motion, looking away from the camera, intentionally blurry or crooked) if the scene was staged and directed by the photographer to achieve a certain look, it is editorial and not documentary. Basically if the photographer did any directing to get the image then its editorial. Any photos taken during couple photo time are therefor editorial since that time was specifically set aside for the photographer to take photos of the couple.


Does it even matter?


Both styles will result in great images! Knowing whether a photographer is truly docuementary or more editorial with candid/documentary look matters when it comes to that photographers approach on your wedding day. Editorial, even if it looks effortless and candid, requires staging and direction. If spending more time posing, or interrupting moments for direction isn't for you then that is when the distinction becomes important.


Even as a docuementary photographer I still take editorial photos during couple photo time (if thats something my couple wants) since all portraits are, by nature of me directing them, editorial.


Lets look at a few examples of editorial and docuementary moments below!

A romantic outdoor wedding moment with a couple embracing in a sunlit garden setting with lush greenery in the background.

Editorial - I directed them into this pose in this light

A romantic wedding moment outdoors with a beautiful bouquet of roses, anemones and eucalyptus in soft peach and white tones.

Editorial - I asked him to give her a kiss on the cheek

A couple shares a romantic moment on a wooded path during an autumn wedding ceremony.

Docuementary - The couple was just walking to their reception space to grab a drink.

A joyful couple sharing a candid moment together outdoors in their wedding attire on a grassy lawn.

Documentary - The couple was walking back from their ceremony when this was captured

Looking at the images above you can tell why there is confusion between the two terms! All of the images have a similar look and feel to them. The difference is the images on the left were directed by me during a 10 minute block of time scheduled specifically for couple photos. The images on the right happened organically, with no posing or directing on my part. I just knew to be in the right spot at the right time to capture them.


There is no right or wrong style, and neither style is better then the other. The important thing is that your photos reflect your vision of your day. If the though of posing for photos makes your cringe then documentary photography might be for you. If you are okay posing and don't mind being interrupted to curate a moment then editorial photography might be a good match!

A dark black and white artistic photograph showing a silhouetted figure in shadow near a bright window.
A romantic black and white wedding photo showing a couple standing in a sunlit forest with the bride's dress flowing in the breeze.
A black and white wedding photograph of a couple peeking at each other from behind separate doors.

Is Documentary Wedding Photography right for you?


How can you tell if this style is the perfect match for your wedding day? Well only you can answer that question! It comes down to what your value most and how you want to spend your time on your wedding day. Here are a few signs that docuementary photography might be for you:


  • You Value Real Moments: If the thought of photos that capture your genuine emotions and interactions gives you butterflies, this style is likely for you.
  • You Want a Stress-Free Day: Hate the idea of spending hours posing for photos? Documentary photography lets you soak up every moment without interruption.
  • You Love Candid Photography: If you’re drawn to photos that feel natural, emotional, and unscripted, you’ll adore the results of a documentary approach.
  • You Want Your Story Told: Your wedding day isn’t just about big moments; it’s about the quiet ones, too. Documentary photographers excel at weaving all of these moments together into a cohesive, heartfelt narrative.


If this sounds like you, documentary wedding photography might just be your perfect fit!


I hope this blog post helped clear up some confusion around docuementary wedding photography and helped you decide if it might be something that is for you :)



Black and white photo showing people celebrating joyfully on a city street outside a brick building.