One of the buzzwords in photography right now is “documentary.” Documentary photographers are everywhere, and their work is drawing us in. But what does this phrase even mean? And why are we drawn towards the work that is represented by that word? Let’s dig in.

Experiencing Inauthenticity

Last week, I listened to a podcast with the voice of a person who has passed. The likeness of his voice was created and playing utilizing AI. This week, I saw a commercial with a “kid” that looked more fake than real. Yesterday, I saw an Instagram reel where a “creator” was looking at the camera–only it wasn’t her. She was able to use AI to create a video explaining how more and more realistic deepfakes are looking.

On Tik Toks and Reels, we are constantly scrolling through beautifully curated videos. Comparing our lives to the those that look perfect on screen. We can’t (nor need) to see the realities of every creator’s life. But, we’re connecting less with the people around us, and more with these perfect videos online.

But not everything is perfect. In short: I think a lot of our desire for authentic, raw, and documentary photography is because we are surrounded and drowning in inauthentic moments.

Desire for Authenticity

We are looking at fake realities. And we know it. As it becomes harder to determine what is real, fake, or AI, we are looking for the authentic, feeling moments that make us feel human. I think that as we are becoming more and more aware of the manufactured moments, we are desiring the real moments even more.

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The beauty of humanity is our ability to emote, create, connect, and love. And humanity is what is at the heart of documentary photography. Capturing the in-betweens. The tears. The tiredness. The joy. The rain.

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The best photos are those that capture us as we are. That can make us feel. That shows us our humanity. And that is what is driving documentary photography forward.

Documentary photographers have an approach of finding ways to capture the emotion and moment in their wedding photos. This can be done through use of light, framing, and stepping back to let emotions happen. Sometimes we get so focused on getting married that we forget to slow down and relish in all the big emotions that are happening. Documentary photographers help you slow down and feel those emotions. And they create art from your event.

Documentary photographers lean into the real. The rain on your wedding day, the anticipation of walking down the aisle, the joy and happy nerves, the excitement of your loved ones. These are all moments that give you feeling. These are real. They are what makes you, you and what makes your wedding day yours.

How to find documentary photographers near you

Send me an inquiry. 😉 My style is such that I adapt to my subjects. I will help facilitate your day, or fade into the background and capture all those beautiful moments I’m all about collaborating for your vision so it is uniquely your wedding. However, If I’m booked–

Because it is such a popular phrase, googling “documentary photographer” will yield many results. It may also appear that these photographers have varying styles. Documentary means different things to different photographers and different subjects! Here’s some tips on finding the right one for you. Even photographers who don’t use “documentary” as one of their keywords may still have an approach that works for you. Here’s some steps:

1. Look at their portfolio. The single most important thing is that you’re attracted to their photos. Do you like the colors? Do they make you feel something? Are you drawn in? Photography is art. Not every artist is for every person, and that is okay.
2. Reflect on what you want. Do you want some posing? Do you want them to give you actions? Do you still want posed/traditional photos? If you’re not sure, your photographer will help guide you through these decisions. But don’t feel like you have to be comfortable and confident in front of the camera. That’s what we’re there for–we’ll make the beautiful pictures happen naturally!
3. Communicate what you want with the photographer. Whether planning a lifestyle session or a wedding, communicate what type of photos you like. I always ask my clients if they prefer the perfect, polished photos or the organic moments that happen through the day. (It’s OK to say both!) Talk to your photographer about what you want, so they can make it happen!

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, my biggest suggestion is to create a Pinterest board! Pin inspiration of what you’d like your photos to look like. This will help your photographer to see the same vision you have, insert their expertise, and bring it to life.