If you’ve been looking at Instagram or wedding blogs lately, you’ve probably heard the phrase “documentary photography” thrown around a lot. But what exactly is it, and should you have it at your wedding day?

I feel like documentary wedding photography is used so much as an industry buzzword that its meaning has been diluted recently. So I wanted to write a little post explaining documentary wedding photography as I see it.

There’s something so special about being able to look back at your wedding photos and feel like you’re right there again—laughing with your friends, tearing up during your vows, or sneaking off for a quiet moment just the two of you. It’s not posed or forced—it’s real. Honest. Emotional. It tells the full story of your day, exactly as it unfolded. That’s what the heart of documentary wedding photography is; just accepting that the truth of how your day happened is worthy of being captured.

I’ve always been drawn to documentary photography, but I really decided to lean heavily into it in 2019. I had been shooting weddings for several years by then, and although I loved it, I felt burned out by the expectations to make every shot look a certain way. Simply put, I hate staging or manufacturing moments on a wedding day, and I will gladly take an imperfect photo of a real moment over one that is all staged perfection.

For me, the documentary style has always felt the most natural. I’m drawn to the in-between moments—the little glances, the messy happy tears, the unexpected laughter. I want my couples to feel fully present on their wedding day, not pulled in and out of the moment to pose for staged photos.

That doesn’t mean there’s no direction at all. I still guide you when needed—especially for portraits and family photos—but I try to do it in a way that feels relaxed and unintrusive. Most of the day, I’m quietly observing, anticipating moments before they happen, and moving with the flow of the day.

How Documentary Photography Tells a Fuller Story

The beauty of this approach is that it captures not just what your wedding looked like, but what it felt like. The nervous energy before the ceremony. The wild joy on the dance floor. The quiet moments you didn’t even know were happening. My job as a documentary photographer is to be moving with you and your guests, carefully remaining present and observing all the things that may be important to you. It’s my job to capture your guests, the two of you interacting with one another and your loved ones, the smallest details.

I always tell couples that the magic is in the small stuff: a flower girl twirling in her dress, the way your partner’s face softens during your vows, your grandma’s hand on your back as she hugs you. None of those are moments you can plan for, which is exactly why they’re worth remembering.

What It’s Not

Sometimes I hear people say “documentary” and think it means a total free-for-all. I’ve seen reels and posts all about how you don’t actually want candid photos because your face will always look weird and that’s just not true (even though I think your face always looks beautiful). Yes – if you only want photos of yourself and your loved ones in soft smiles, I am decidedly not the photographer for you. But being a documentary wedding photographer doesn’t mean I just show up and wing it. It takes preparation, intuition, and a deep understanding of what matters to you. That’s why I take time before every wedding to get to know my couples—their priorities, their personalities, their people. So when I’m there on the day, I’m not just documenting a wedding. I’m documenting your wedding. Plus, at almost every wedding I document I take posed group photos of family, friends, and the couple. So if group photos are still important to you that doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t want a documentary wedding photographer. I just try to make group photos run efficiently and make sure to document everyone together in the moments before and after the group photo, as well.

Is This Style Right for You?

If you’re drawn to natural, emotional images—ones that feel like you—documentary wedding photography might be the perfect fit. Perhaps even more than that, it’s ideal for couples who don’t want to spend their day posing for the camera, but still want stunning, artistic images that reflect how the day really felt. My very favourite thing about documentary wedding photography isn’t even how it makes the photos look (although I love that a lot). It’s how it allows everyone to feel on a wedding day. There are no expectations to be perfect or to style and stage things. It allows couples and their people to really feel like they were present on the day and that they actually attended a wedding (gasp!) instead of a photo shoot. And it’s the relentless belief that the truth is beautiful.

Why It Works So Beautifully in Perth (and Beyond)

One of the reasons I’m so excited to photograph more weddings in Western Australia is because the landscape lends itself beautifully to a documentary approach. There’s a wildness and openness to the coast, especially around Margaret River or down in Yallingup. The wind, the movement, the golden light—it’s perfect for capturing unstaged, emotional moments that feel grounded in place.

Even more than the scenery, it’s the energy of weddings here. They’re often a bit more relaxed, more focused on connection than performance. That’s exactly the kind of space where documentary photography thrives.

Final Thoughts

Your wedding day goes by fast. My job is to help you remember not just how it looked, but how it felt. With a documentary approach, you don’t have to worry about missing the big moments—or the tiny, perfect ones that happen in between.

If you’re getting married in Perth or elsewhere in Western Australia and you’re looking for a documentary wedding photographer, fill out my contact form. I’m so excited to meet you and chat with you.