7 Reasons to Consider a Documentary-Style Wedding Photographer

Documentary wedding photography captures the genuine emotions and candid moments of a wedding day, focusing on storytelling through images. This style, also known as “wedding photojournalism”, emphasizes the unfolding events and interactions among guests, rather than posed or staged photographs. By documenting the day as it naturally unfolds, a photographer provides a raw and authentic representation of the celebration, allowing couples to relive their experiences through the lens of real moments. This approach not only highlights the beauty of the day but also the unique personalities and relationships that come together to make it memorable.

Here are 7 great reasons why you should consider hiring a documentary-style photographer for your wedding!

1. Authenticity

There’s no need to pose or perform for the camera! Documentary photography captures real, unscripted moments - like when a bride and her bridesmaids stood up to belt out a song mid-dinner, or when a groom and his groomsmen all piled into a tiny bathroom to use the one available mirror to tie their ties. I aim to capture photos that are authentic to you and let you forget about the camera.

2. Personality

I help couples forget the camera is there, letting them fully be themselves and helping their unique personalities shine through. When it comes to portraits, I utilize movement and prompts to help guide you instead of stiff poses. Couple portraits don’t have to be posed!

3. Laid Back Atmosphere

There’s no need to spend your day posing for the camera! Your wedding day shouldn’t feel like a photoshoot. Instead, I let you enjoy the day with friends and family, capturing candid moments as they unfold.

4. Timeless Look

Whether an image is edited in color or black and white, my true-to-life editing style guarantees that your wedding photos will never look outdated. I do not and will never use trendy presets.

5. Non-Intrusive Presence

Like a fly on the wall, I do my best to move around unnoticed while I’m capturing all of those candid moments. You and your guests can enjoy the celebration without the camera grabbing the attention.

6. Expecting the Unexpected

I’m always on the lookout for fun, weird, and unexpected moments - like when a big gust of wind swept a bride and her mother’s hair into their faces as they walked down the aisle, or when a very surprised grandma got unexpectedly pushed out on to the dance floor in her dinner chair. I’ll capture these moments as they happen. No shot list needed!

7. Storytelling Approach

From small meaningful details to big emotional moments, your wedding photos will be a narrative of your celebration. I don’t photograph weddings to create the perfect Instagram grid. I do it because I love telling your unique story. When you look back at your wedding photos, I want you to be reminded of how you felt in each moment.

Veronica & Andrew's Inn on Boltwood Wedding

I first met Veronica and Andrew at a wedding expo that I exhibited at shortly after I moved to Boston. They were super sweet and seemed interested in my documentary style wedding photography, so we continued to chat after the event. Once they had nailed down their wedding venue, they reached back out to book their engagement and wedding photography!

About a year before their wedding, we did a sunrise engagement session at the Boston Public Garden. It was such a good chance for us to get to know each other a bit better and for Veronica and Andrew to feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Veronica and Andrew's wedding at the Inn on Boltwood in Amherst, Massachusetts took place on a rainy late September day. The cozy interior of the Inn provided a romantic setting for their ceremony and the tent set up outside for the reception gave everyone space to dance and keep the (very fun) party going despite the weather.

Veronica chose to do first looks with two of the most important men in her life before her wedding; the first with her father and then out on the Inn’s front porch with Andrew.

The ceremony was beautiful and Veronica and Andrew both read personal vows they had written which included both touching sentiments and funny anecdotes that got the room laughing.

After a cocktail hour, guests made their way into the reception tent for dinner. Andrew’s grandfather gave a blessing and parents and close friends gave heartfelt, emotional speeches that brought tears to everyones eyes.

Veronica and Andrew's wedding day was filled with warmth, happiness, and ended with a packed, energetic dance floor.

Cheers to Veronica & Andrew!

Vendors

Venue: Inn on Boltwood

Photographer: Kayla Rice Photography

Second Photographer: Adam Pulzetti

Floral: Forget Me Not

Officiant: Julie-Ann Silberman-Bunn 

Hair & Makeup: Crystal Vazquez & Co. 

DJ: Marx Entertainment - DJ Alonzo

Dessert: Atkins Farm

Lynn & George's Farm at Raven Brook Engagement Session

Lynn and George booked me for their intimate Berkshires wedding and decided that they wanted to do an engagement session as well (which I ALWAYS recommend to my wedding clients - especially those who say they aren’t comfortable in front of a camera). Lynn and I discussed some good options for Massachusetts engagement session locations, and she decided that she wanted to do their session at The Farm at Raven Brook, a Christmas tree farm in Halifax, MA. The staff at the farm was incredibly accommodating. The owner even gave me a tour of the grounds before Lynn and George arrived so that I could scout out some good locations for photos.

As a Massachusetts engagement photographer, I know that March can be one of the toughest months for natural beauty in New England. Lynn & George hoped for a snow-covered scene, but 2023 turned out not to be the snowy winter we hoped for. Evergreen trees turned out to be the solution! The rows of green trees made for a great backdrop for March in Massachusetts when most of the world looks brown and dead. Lynn and George roamed through the rows and rows of evergreens, the sun-kissed meadows, and the quaint pond on the grounds of The Farm at Raven Brook with me.

Check out some of my favorite images from their Massachusetts engagement session below!