Natural Documentary Style Wedding Photography: Tips and Secrets

Welcome to Katie and Terry’s wedding! This beautiful couple was head over heels in love and wanted their big day captured in the most genuine, documentary style possible.

At Take Two Photography, we had an absolute blast working with them. The look on their faces when they saw the final photos was priceless. Moments like these make our job so special.

The good news is you can achieve this amazing style too! Today, we are going to share our secret tips to achieve editorial documentary wedding photography. So, stick around to learn how you can capture those raw, emotional moments just like we did for Katie and Terry.

During the Wedding

Our number one big tip for documentary-style photographs is to avoid posed shots. Instead of capturing stiff, awkward poses that make everyone look like they are trying too hard, we encourage natural interactions between the couple. You should let them be themselves. Laugh, joke, whisper sweet nothings, or even make silly faces at each other. Your goal should be to capture genuine moments, not forced smiles.

The Power of Movement

Everyone already knows what a documentary is, and documentary photography is no different. It is just storytelling through pictures. Now, how can you tell a story through pictures?

The answer is obvious: by incorporating movement into your photos! This is the only way you can tell a more dynamic and engaging story. You don't want your photos to look like static portraits; you want them to breathe life. To capture movement without losing focus, try techniques like panning with your subject or using a slightly slower shutter speed to create a sense of motion.

Directing for movement is key. Give the couple simple cues to create natural movement. Have them walk hand-in-hand, spin around, or just interact with each other.

But sometimes, you might run into a bit of a challenge. You see, not everyone feels like a natural in front of the camera. Some couples might feel particularly awkward or shy when asked to perform actions.

To overcome this problem, you should keep things light and playful. Engage with them in a way that makes them forget they are being photographed. Relax their nerves by making a joke or laughing with them.

You can also give those camera-shy couples something to do. For example, hand them a prop or suggest they focus on something specific like fixing each other's outfits or looking at a particular object. This can help divert their attention away from the camera and make the interactions more natural.

Blending In

When you are done with the main shots, then come the shots of the guests. This is where you have to stay totally invisible. This is an art in itself. Being invisible means you blend into the background and capture moments without being intrusive. Capture moments, like a tearful hug or a spontaneous dance move, without directing the couple. This will allow the day to unfold naturally while you capture it all.

Don't forget to capture the small details, though. The wedding rings, decorations, and candid moments with family and friends complete the story. Also, vary your shots. Mix wide shots that capture the environment with close-ups that focus on emotions. We do this at every event because the variety adds depth and richness to your photo story, making it a truly memorable collection.

The Art of Motion Blur

Now let us tell you about a technique that can add a magical touch to your documentary-style wedding photos: motion blur!

So, what exactly is motion blur? It is when moving subjects in your photo have a slight blur, creating a sense of movement and life. Instead of freezing everything in place, you capture the energy and emotion of the moment. This is a great tool as it makes your photos feel more dynamic and real.

But why exactly is motion blur important in documentary-style photography? Because it helps tell a more engaging story. Weddings are full of movement. There is dancing, laughing, and even the subtle sway of a bride’s dress. Capturing all these movements makes your photos come alive and allows viewers to feel like they are right there in the moment.

Now it is time we finally tell you how to achieve that perfect motion blur. The secret here is to balance blur with clarity. You want enough blur to show movement but not so much that the photo becomes a messy smear. Start with a slower shutter speed, around 1/30th of a second. This speed is generally slow enough to capture movement without losing too much detail. You can adjust slower or faster depending on the amount of blur you want.

To avoid unwanted camera shake, use a tripod or stabilize your camera against a solid surface. This ensures only the moving subjects are blurred, not the entire photo. If your subjects are moving horizontally, try panning your camera to follow their motion. This keeps your subject relatively sharp while the background blurs, adding a dynamic effect.

And of course, don’t be afraid to experiment with different shutter speeds and movements. Practice makes perfect, and each wedding will offer unique opportunities for creative motion blur.

The Fundamentals

There are some fundamentals you need to remember for a documentary-style photography wedding. The first and most important thing is to embrace imperfection. Seriously, don’t freak out if your photos have grainy textures or a bit of blurriness. These so-called "flaws" actually add to the documentary feel. They will make your pictures look more real and less like everyone else's perfectly polished shots.

You should also allow some shadows in your photos. Shadows can add depth and mood to your photos and make them look more dramatic and interesting. Play around with different angles and light sources to see how shadows can make your shots pop.

Using burst mode is another must. This mode captures a series of images in quick succession, so you don’t miss those fleeting, magical moments. Weddings are full of spontaneous, once-in-a-lifetime events, and burst mode is how you can catch them all.

Good lighting can turn a good photo into a great one. Look for the best lighting conditions, like the golden hour or soft, diffused light. Trust me, nobody looks good under harsh, midday sun. For composition, keep it simple. Use the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing to make your photos more interesting. Think about the story you want to tell and compose your shots to guide the viewer’s eye through the image.

The Interactions

We know that we have told you to be invisible during the shoot, but you see, this is documentary-style photography, and you need to capture genuine interactions. So how do you pull off this magic trick of being both a ghost and a storyteller? Let us tell you the trick.

First, interact with guests subtly to capture their candid moments. You can do this by mingling a bit, maybe sharing a laugh or a quick chat. This helps people get comfortable with you around, making it easier to snap those natural, unguarded moments later on. Remember, you are not there to direct the show; you are there to document it as it happens.

Now, onto the technique. While you are blending in, keep your camera ready. Use a longer lens to capture interactions from a distance. This way, you are not in people’s faces, but you are still getting those close-up, emotional shots.

To stay invisible and still get those great documentary shots, practice anticipation. Watch how the event is flowing and anticipate where the next big moment might happen. Is the bride about to hug her grandmother? Is the groom about to share a joke with his best man? Position yourself strategically, so you are in the right place at the right time without being in the way.

Also, keep moving. Don’t stay in one spot for too long. This not only helps you get a variety of shots but also makes you less noticeable. People tend to ignore a moving object quicker than a stationary one.

Post-Wedding

If you want to achieve a perfect documentary-style wedding photoshoot, you have to use minimal editing. You want to keep post-processing minimal to retain the authenticity of the images. Avoid heavy filters or excessive retouching. The goal is to keep the photos as true to the moment as possible.

Creating a narrative is important here as well. Arrange the photos in a way that tells a cohesive and compelling story of the day. Think about the sequence of events and how each image flows into the next. Start with the getting-ready shots, move through the ceremony, and end with the reception. This helps the couple relive their day every time they look at the album.

And don’t forget to include outtakes. Sometimes, the imperfect shots can tell a story just as well as the perfect ones. Those candid moments, the unexpected laughs, or even a little chaos add personality and charm to the story. They show the day as it really happened, not just the polished highlights.

Final Thoughts

Practice, practice, practice. This is the key to achieving professional documentary-style wedding photographs. The more you experiment with different techniques and settings, the better you will get at capturing those magical, unfiltered moments that make each wedding unique.

Do you happen to know any other tips to perfectly capture documentary-style wedding photography? Share with us in the comments below. Before you go, make sure to like, share, and subscribe for more amazing tips.

Happy shooting!

We'd love to chat with you about capturing the beautiful moments of your wedding! Swing by our website at Take Two Wedding Photography to peek at our portfolio and see the magic we can create together. If you're curious about our services or just want to talk about your big day, Give us a shout – we're here to help make your memories last forever! And hey, if you're on the lookout for more wedding planning insights, don't forget to check out our Industry friends for some awesome tips and ideas. We're all about making your wedding journey as joyful and stress-free as possible!

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