Choosing Wedding Vendors for Documentary Style Photography

If you're here reading this, you're most likely considering hiring (or have already hired) a wedding photographer with a documentary shooting style. I hope it's me ;) But either way, here is some advice on what to look for in other vendors to make sure your wedding day experience is easy-going and your gallery comes back looking like the day felt.

Reese & Will Carter, captured on Sunday, July 27th at Montclair Venue by KinleyRo Photo

What makes documentary style photography so unique is that it focuses on capturing the raw, real, genuine. Moments, reactions, feelings... it's sole purpose is to DOCUMENT. While there are times in a wedding day that may be posed if the couple chooses to do so (for example family portraits, photos with the wedding party, and pictures of just the couple), we are always looking for what's happening in between.

Embracing the chaos, and the unplanned- and sometimes setting people up for it.

This is why it's SO important to have your whole wedding day team in on the plan. If your photographer wants to capture real moments, it doesn't make sense to hire a video team who prefers to set them up. Do you want to look back on your gallery and think "Oh, this is when my videographer told me to stand by the window and pretend to put my lipstick on," or have multiple people in your wedding party urged to be mic'd up before speaking to you? If your answer is no, and you'd rather have photos in a potentially dirty bridal suite, dancing and laughing with your girls instead of those perfectly posed makeup shots- or save time in your day by letting spontaneity happen instead of trying to plan for everything that might be said... Embrace possibly noisy audio or just shots of happy reactions. This way you're able to think back and remember what was said to make you smile in that moment. Pay careful attention to how other vendors you hire may impact not only your wedding day photography, but how you get to live the day itself!

Hire a coordinator who isn't afraid to go off script and possibly change things around at the last minute! A DJ who can go with the flow and adapt in real time. People who aren't going to dictate how it SHOULD be, but who will work with you to let you decide what you WANT it to be.

Your documentary style photographer will thrive in an environment where the people they're working with understand the assignment, and possibly already have the same goals. And you will get to live in the moment and truly enjoy the day because of it! And get to relive it all over again when you receive your wedding gallery.

However, reading and knowing this is one thing- finding vendors you trust to align with your vision for the day is another! Ask your photographer who they recommend if you aren't sure :) I personally have a list of people I have worked with and love to do so!

Finally, if you're looking for vendors who may be more involved with how things are working on your wedding day, or you're searching for photographers who prefer shot lists, order, and lean heavier into posing that is absolutely fine! There is no right or wrong way to have a wedding or capture one. Just make sure you know what you're looking for, and it always helps to be transparent about your expectations when booking any vendor.

Thanks for reading, and good luck in your wedding vendor search!