How my passion for documentary photography started
I first fell in love with documentary photography when I was a teenager growing up in London, I was studying foundation art and I had facilities to develop my own film and a black and white darkroom to print photos myself.
I would spend days walking the streets looking for anything that caught my eye, whether it be architecture, cityscapes or the spontaneous interactions of people. The latter I found exciting because photographing strangers comes with an element of the unknown.
Documentary Wedding Photographer since 2001.
I began photographing weddings in a documentary style back in 2001. I loved the pursuit of photographing the natural exchanges between people, emotions and storytelling.
I was encouraged by the clients feedback that I received. It became more and more apparent that the natural photograph was what people loved the most, photos made in this style created a conversation and evoked a reaction.
One of the first documentary wedding photos that I shot on film.
Documentary wedding photography in Margaret River
I find that the wedding experience in Margaret River is more relaxed, fun and authentic.
If you look at the wedding venues in Margaret River, they tend to cater for a relaxed experience, once you are on site, you do not have to drive anywhere or walk far for photos.
What is documentary wedding photography?
Very simply, a documentary wedding photographer will work silently in the background throughout your wedding day, collating photographs that are taken without direction or posing.
Working in a blissful creative mental space, where they have time to see things differently and produce photographs that are unique, creative and artistic.
Free from the shackles of a wedding photography shot list, your documentary wedding photographer is photographing hundreds of memories, combining details and people shots to form a genuine story of your wedding day.
This essentially results in a set of authentic memories of natural exchanges between the people that you love. Your wedding photos will not have a familiar look to them because they are not adhering to a script.
My documentary wedding photography style.
I am all about enjoying a rapport with the people I hang with at weddings. It’s not like, I am the wedding photographer and I am going to tell you what to do and how to do it.
For me to photograph an authentic storyline of your wedding day, you need to forget about me and simply enjoy the best day of your lives.
Be present with all of your loved ones, try and take it all in and enjoy what is essentially a crazy magical whirlwind of a day.
I want to be like another wedding guest, blending in and going about my job which collecting photos of all the natural exchanges, emotions and atmosphere shots.
Do documentary wedding photographers direct or pose?
Pose might be too strong a word for documentary photographers but direction we can definitely do. I personally direct photos when it is required, usually this is all pre planned in a schedule.
I will have a timeline pre organised with my clients that I keep to so everything flows and keeps on schedule.
I will also direct some of the bridal party photos for a pre arranged time and for an agreed duration. Most of my clients that favour documentary wedding photography choose the minimal time for directed photos because they value photos that are more honest and genuine.
Avoid shy documentary wedding photographers
Based on a few things I have heard, there are photographers that choose to be “natural wedding photographers” “documentary wedding photographers” “reportage wedding photographers” because the idea of directing groups of people gives them a panic attack. I know this because I train and mentor aspiring wedding photographers.
The problem with this is that there are moments at a wedding when you need to step in and direct groups of people that are having a wonderful time and enjoying a few drinks.
You need a photographer whose personality can grab the attention of the room when required and direct in a friendly fun way that keeps the experience fun for everyone.
I started off photographing hundreds of Italian weddings in Perth, I was well and truly in the referral network, photographing sisters and cousins and mates weddings. You need to be very good with people and fantastic at organising everyone in a fun manner to do this style of wedding well.
Planning and organisation is so important
Personally I believe that every wedding is completely unique because each couple has a unique vision of what their wedding day is to them. By having a conversation, I can discover what your vision is and how that transfers to your wedding day experience and your photography.
I will find out how long my clients would like to invest in bridal photos and bride and groom photos. Some people would like just thirty minutes whilst others prefer ninety minutes. I also work out the percentage of directed versus natural photos to take.
Family photos are also pre organised, a list is made together and I have this on the wedding day to direct people into the photos.
All of the answers help me to create a wedding timeline which I then follow on your wedding day.
How trust benefits your documentary wedding photography.
By the time your wedding day comes around you will have full trust in my professionalism and ability to take care of everything for you on your wedding day. Having that trust in me allows you to relax and be present with your loved ones. Knowing that I will direct proceedings confidently and to time.
Your photographs will reflect this, there will be more natural moments with you interacting with your guests for me to capture. All of your bridesmaids will feed off that relaxed energy and enjoy your wedding day more.
The more relaxed and happy the bride and groom are the more fun everyone has and if you are hiring a photographer to authentically document your day, we all want it to be the best day ever.
Do documentary wedding photographers photograph family groups?
Yes I can photograph as many as you wish. Everything is pre organised so nothing is ever missed on your wedding day. I tend to do them just after your congratulations photographs because everyone is there at this time. Later at the reception, some people may look tired, the lighting isn’t as good etc.