If you’re planning a wedding or getting married soon, you might’ve heard the buzzwords “documentary-style photography” or “candid-style photography”. Let’s break down what documentary-style photography really means!

Your wedding photos might arguably be the most important photos ever taken in your life. So there’s a lot of pressure around getting the best shots.

Now, we know the traditional, posed wedding photos have their place – those classic, timeless shots are definitely a must-have. But if you really want to capture the raw, honest-to-god emotions of your wedding day, you need to go the documentary route.

Think about it – your wedding day is filled with so much beauty, laughter, and genuine connection. The way you and your partner look at each other, the way your family and friends gather together to celebrate love, the little in-between moments that you never want to forget. THOSE are the moments that truly tell the story of your love. And let’s be real, a stiff, formal photo just doesn’t do that justice, are we right?

“But won’t that mean I miss out on all the classic, traditional wedding shots?”

We’re not saying that you shouldn’t get a couple of traditional, posed photos with your partner and your family. The beauty of having a talented documentary photography team is that they know exactly when to step in and grab those iconic poses. They’ll work with you beforehand to make sure you get all the must-have family formals, the romantic couple’s portraits, the killer bridal party shots. But they’ll do it in a way that feels natural, relaxed, and you.

With the documentary-style photography approach, your photography team becomes more of a fly on the wall. Discreetly capturing the authentic, candid moments throughout the day. No staged shots, no forced smiles, no distracting the hell out of you and your partner on your big day. Just real, raw emotion, preserved forever.

And let us tell you, the results are freaking magical. Just imagine looking back on your wedding photos years from now and being transported right back to that exact moment – the laughter, the happy tears, the love you felt in the air. Those are the kinda images that will transport you back to that day every time you look at them.

So, if you’re planning your wedding and trying to decide between traditional or documentary-style photography, let us make this easy for you: ditch the stiff, posed shots and go all-in on capturing the real magic of your day. Trust us, your future self (and your grandkids) will thank you!

Want to learn more about documentary-style photography and the Wandered Stories team? Click HERE to fill out our inquiry form to get in touch!