Is documentary wedding photography right for you? If you’re planning a non-traditional day, hate the idea of posing for hours, or want to actually be in the moment—not just smile for it—you’re not alone. So many of my couples come to me because they want real, emotion-packed images without turning their wedding into a photoshoot.

I’m a documentary wedding photographer based in Seattle, and I specialize in capturing the raw, unscripted magic as it actually unfolds. No awkward posing. No endless photo lists. Just real moments—your hugs, your laughter, your nervous excitement, your weird little traditions—caught with intention and artistry.

As someone who specializes in documentary photography, I wrote this to take you behind the scenes—step by step—through how I approach an entire wedding day.

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Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how I move through a wedding day, let’s talk about a few questions I get asked all the time:

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What is documentary wedding photography, really?

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It’s not just snapping a few candids in between posed shots—and it’s definitely not hanging back all day with a zoom lens hoping something happens. True documentary photography means I’m fully in it with you. I’m in the room while you’re getting ready, on the dance floor while your friends go feral, and everywhere in between. I’m there for the messy, emotional, hilarious, quiet, chaotic, beautiful in-between moments that you didn’t even know were happening. I’m not orchestrating anything—I’m observing, anticipating, and capturing the real stuff. The feeling of the day. The actual story. Not what it looked like on Pinterest, but what it felt like to live it.

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How do I get access to those raw, emotion-filled moments that feel so real you can almost step inside them?

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Spoiler: it’s not luck. It’s trust. And building that kind of trust doesn’t just happen—it’s something I’m intentional about from the very beginning.

When I walk into the room, my cameras are off. I take a minute to say hi to everyone—to your mom, your dad, your best friends, your siblings. I may not know your people yet, but I share in their excitement! I’m not showing up as just another vendor—I’m showing up as a human who is genuinely happy to be there. Someone who belongs. That little bit of connection at the start goes a long way—it’s the first step in making people feel comfortable enough to be fully themselves in front of my lens.

From there, I blend in like one of the group. Confident, calm, familiar. I move through the room like someone who belongs, not someone who’s documenting from the sidelines. And because I get close right away—literally stepping into personal space and photographing from just a few feet away—people quickly adjust. I’m not the photographer hovering across the room with a zoom lens; I’m the one laughing with your bridal party, crouching next to your niece on the floor, quietly nodding along during a heartfelt story. Before long, people stop noticing me. I become part of the day. And that’s when the real stuff unfolds—the unfiltered, emotional moments that matter most.

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Getting Ready: The Unscripted Start to Your Story

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This part of the day isn’t about staging your dress next to a window or laying out your invitations perfectly. (Unless you really want that and ask for it—in which case, I’ve got you!) In documentary photography, my focus is on people and connection. The hug your best friend gives you after zipping up your dress. Your dad pacing the hallway, quietly emotional. Your sister doing your makeup while giggling through a story you both forgot until that moment.

While others might be fluffing dresses or arranging shoes for the perfect flat lay, I’m in the room where the laughter is loudest and the nerves are kicking in—because that’s where your story is already unfolding. Honestly, hearing laughter from another room while I’m off photographing a pair of shoes? Actual nightmare. I want to be where the real stuff is happening.

This is also where I quietly start to blend in. The more present I am now, the more invisible I become later.

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See the full Canlis Wedding story

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First Look: If You Choose To Do One

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About a third of my couples choose to do a first look. Often it’s for practical reasons—so you can do portraits beforehand and enjoy your party. Sometimes it’s emotional, giving you a private moment before everything begins.

Unlike many traditional photographers who strongly encourage a first look in order to get through portraits early and stay “on schedule,” documentary photography takes a different approach. I believe the experience you want should always come first, not just photo logistics. If you dream of that classic aisle moment, and posed portraits aren’t a priority, I fully support you.

If you do choose a first look, I’m not in your face telling you how to react. I usually step way back—sometimes with a long lens—so the moment can actually be a moment. I’ll shoot through leaves or reflections, frame you between doorways, and quietly work the scene to tell the story as it naturally unfolds.

And most importantly, I don’t rush it. I let you linger. Some of my favorite “portraits” happen here, not because I posed them, but because I didn’t interrupt.

Would you believe that all the photos below are from the first look and completely un-staged! I let the moment just be while I ran around at a distance capturing from different angles.

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Photo documented at Treehouse Point, Fall City

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The Ceremony: Up Close (But Never in the Way)

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The ceremony is sacred. It’s not just something to check off the list—it’s the emotional core of the day. And while yeah, I’ll absolutely get the classic aisle shot and the ring exchange, I’m also paying close attention to everything happening in between.

Like your partner wiping sweaty palms on their pants. Your grandma quietly tearing up. That deep breath you take just before you lock eyes.

I stay close enough to feel the emotion, but I’m always reading the room. I’m not standing in front of guests or darting around for every angle. A lot of the time, I’m just still—waiting. Watching. Letting the moment unfold instead of forcing it.

You might find me kneeling by the front row to catch your dad’s tears or slipping behind you to capture what it feels like to be standing up there together. I’m not chasing a checklist—I’m following the feeling.

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Photo documented at Tierra Retreat Center, Leavenworth

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Photo documented at Ray’s Boathouse, Seattle

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Cocktail Hour: Where the Documentary Photography Gold Is

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This is one of the most electric parts of the day—you just got married! Emotions are high, hugs are endless, people are laughing and clinking glasses, and finally starting to let loose.

Honestly, it breaks my heart how many couples miss their own cocktail hour. It’s such a vibrant, joyful part of the day—your people are all together in one place, celebrating you, and it flies by in a blur.

While many photographers pull couples away for an hour of portraits, I see it differently. Documentary photography is about living this moment. If you want them, I’ll knock out some quick family portraits (more on that in a second), but then I step back and let you soak in all the magic.

This is when spontaneous toasts happen. When someone spills champagne or cries happy tears or leaves lipstick on your cheek. This is full-body laughter, inside jokes, and genuine connection—and I’m right there, catching it all.

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In-Between Moments: Camera stays up

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While we move from one event to another, I don’t put my camera down. Ever. These in-between moments are where some of the most meaningful things happen—a quick kiss behind the tent, your niece twirling alone on the dance floor as you make your way into the reception hall, your best friend fixing your dress as you make your way to dinner.

This is often where traditional photographers are rechecking their shot list or taking a break. I’m still documenting.

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Family Portraits: Quick and Painless (Promise!)

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Yes, with documentary photography, we’ll do the formal family portraits if you want them. I know how important these are—especially for parents and grandparents. I even ask for a list ahead of time to keep things running smoothly. But here’s the thing: I’m fast and intentional with these.

I always recommend keeping the list short—just think about what you’d actually frame, put in an album, or gift to a loved one. Any other groupings? I’ll likely catch those naturally during the day, when everyone’s more relaxed and the energy feels real.

One tip that makes all the difference: assign a friend or family member who knows everyone to help wrangle people. Someone who can grab your cousins or go find Uncle Bob when he’s wandered off to the bar. That way, you’re not the one tracking people down, and everything stays stress-free and flowing.

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Couples Portraits: Yes, We Can Still Do These

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I’m not the kind of photographer who’s gonna steal you away for an hour of stiff, posed portraits. That’s just not my thing.

But if you’re down, we can sneak out for 20 minutes—just the two of you. A little breather. A chance to step away from the chaos, take a few deep breaths, and just be together. No audience. No pressure. Just a quiet moment to soak it all in.

This time of day is super laid-back. We wander, we chat, you two be your goofy, sweet, emotional selves—and I’m there capturing it as it happens. Nothing forced. No stiff posing. Just whatever feels natural.

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And sometimes, we’ll pop out again later—maybe at sunset when the light gets all soft and golden, or after dark under the string lights or the city skyline—to catch a different vibe that’s a little more dreamier and moodier.

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Photo documented at Canlis, Seattle. See the full Canlis Wedding story.

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The Reception: Real Moments That Shine—Even After Sunset

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Just because I shoot in a documentary photography style doesn’t mean I leave lighting up to chance—especially once the sun goes down.

Sure, I’ll absolutely take some photos using natural light to preserve the magic of a moody, low-lit moment. A little grain, a little glow? That can feel real. But a whole gallery of high ISO, muddy, poorly lit images? Yeah… that’s not it.

When the moment calls for it, I bring in my own lighting—subtly and intentionally. I’m not blasting people with flash all night, but I am making sure the dance floor looks alive, the toasts are well-lit, and your photos still feel true to the vibe and technically solid.

Documentary photography doesn’t mean unplanned. It means I’m a photographer who’s prepared for anything—so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

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Toasts: A Goldmine of Candid Emotion

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Toasts are one of my absolute favorite parts of the day—second only to getting ready. There’s just so much candid, emotional gold happening all at once. It’s a rich stretch of time full of unexpected moments, big feelings, and the kind of reactions that make for truly felt photographs.

I approach this part of the day with a storytelling lens. I’m not just stacking a bunch of close-ups of the speaker mid-sentence. I’m shooting over shoulders, framing reactions, catching the way someone squeezes a hand or wipes away a tear. I know when to stay tight and anticipate a moment, and when to make a quick dash across the room to get the other angle. The clink of glasses, your mom clutching her speech notes, a half-eaten slice of cake next to a crumpled napkin—it’s all part of the story. And I’m there to catch it.

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Photo documented at Wisteria Hall, Seattle. See the full Wisteria Hall Wedding story.

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The Dance Floor Is a Documentary Playground (And I’m In the Middle)

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I love the dance floor. Once the party kicks off, you’ll find me right in the middle of it—rockin’ along with you, wide-angle lens in hand, fully in the action.

I’m not hanging back and zooming in from the sidelines. I’m up close, following the eyes, catching the wild moves and the full-body joy. When you lean back for limbo? I’m standing right above you, framing the chaos from the perfect angle.

And sometimes, I get a little weird—in the best way. I’ll play with slow shutter and flash to capture that messy, magical energy. Light streaks, motion blur, big emotion. It’s not just documentation—it’s vibes.

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Real Talk: Your Timeline Shapes Your Photos

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Let’s be real for a sec—how documentary I can be really depends on how the day is structured.

If your timeline is packed with lay-flat detail photos, tons of family groupings, lots of couple portraits in multiple locations, and no first look… then yeah, your day’s going to feel a bit more traditional. And that’s totally okay—some couples genuinely want that! But it’s important to know that the more we schedule, pose, and move from one planned shot to the next, the less time you’ll have to actually live in the moments. You’ll likely miss cocktail hour. Things might feel rushed. And those beautiful, spontaneous in-between moments? They get harder to come by.

My approach as to documentary photographer thrives in space and presence. When there’s room to breathe, linger, and let things unfold naturally—that’s when the real magic happens. So if you’re drawn to the kind of honest, emotional storytelling you see in my work, trust me when I say: the less we overfill your timeline, the more room there is for the real stuff.

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Documentary Photography Is Intentional—Not Accidental

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Documentary photography isn’t just snapping a few messy candids and hoping something turns out. It’s incredibly intentional. Every image I take is grounded in experience, timing, and a sharp awareness of the energy in the room. I’ve developed a toolkit of techniques that I rely on at every wedding—methods that help me capture how a moment feels, not just how it looks. If you’re curious about the more technical side of how I do what I do, I break it all down in this blog post: 10 Techniques I Use as a Documentary Wedding Photographer to Capture Emotion.

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Is this the right fit for your day?

If you’re the kind of couple who wants to actually enjoy your wedding—not spend it posing and checking off a shot list—this approach is probably a great match. My couples care more about hugging their people, soaking in the moments, and being fully present. They want to look back at their photos and feel the realness—not a perfectly staged version of the day.

If that sounds like you, awesome. Check out the FAQ for honest answers or get in touch and we’ll chat. No pressure—just here to help.

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