I’m a documentary photographer, I don’t do ‘awkward posing’ and yet I have a bride and groom doing the perfect dip in perfect light framed beautifully between some bokeh foliage. (That’s not me by the way I’m just classy and sassy). I guess the above is the photographic equivalent of turning up to a black-tie wedding in trainers and insisting it’s conceptual.
So let’s talk about it and to not misselling to your couples because of a buzzword.
Lets gets this straight first, I’m not having a go at any specific photographers (although the above example is totally legit). I do ‘posed’ images (I prefer the word artistic myself). My couples don’t find it awkward – if they did they wouldn’t book me and I do offer a certain level of documentary coverage too – and that my friends is totally ok. Why? It’s because I sell my style as an artistic and documentary photographer. I provide both like many photographers do.
And you as a wedding photographer should be true to your style, because the currency of being a wedding photographer is trust! That bride who’s just emailed you isn’t just buying images; she’s buying confidence. When someone says, “We chose you because we love your documentary approach,” they’re expecting quiet observation, emotional storytelling, and moments unfolding naturally. You’re part of the organised chaos – in the middle of it – not directing it! Unseen and not heard!
If you sell yourself as a documentary photographer when you’re not, three things happen (spoiler – none of them are good):
1. You create a mismatch of expectations
Couples book based on what they think they’re getting. If they expect fly-on-the-wall storytelling and instead get heavy direction, posed moments, or staged interactions, the disappointment hits hard — even if the photos are technically fanatastic. Weddings are emotional and get this – people don’t rationalise disappointment, they feel it. And BOOM you’ve just tainted those emotions of THE most important day of their lives. We have as documentary, traditional or more contemporary photographers (whoever you are) a hugely important job to to.
2. You undermine your own strengths, vision and ability
Every photographer has a natural way of seeing and as you go further through your journey as a wedding photographer your own individual style will develop and shine though. Some photographers thrive on anticipation and timing; others are brilliant directors who craft beautiful, polished imagery. Pretending to be purely documentary when you’re not doesn’t elevate you — it hides what you’re actually good at. It’s like whispering when you’ve got a great speaking voice.
3. You erode long-term reputation
Couples talk. Suppliers talk. We are all part of a close knit industry, generally of self employed people trying to earn a living doing what we love. If your branding says “documentary” but your behaviour says “guided, styled, and semi-controlled chaos,” well people WILL notice. That inconsistency chips away at credibility.
There’s also quiet an ethical point here:
Calling yourself a documentary photographer implies a certain restraint, intention, and philosophy. It’s not just a buzzword — it’s a promise about how you’ll behave on the day. Breaking that promise, even unintentionally, is still breaking it.
And here’s the punchline:
You don’t need to be documentary to be brilliant.
You just need to be honest. Couples would much rather hear, “I give gentle direction and step back when it matters,” than discover mid-wedding that their “documentary” photographer has strong opinions about where everyone should stand.
Be true to your style, be confident with your style, practice it, improve it, OWN it and attract couples who actually want YOU for that style. It leads to better bookings, better experiences, better referrals — and fewer awkward “this isn’t what we expected” conversations that nobody enjoys.
Lastly PLEASE if you are purely a documentary photographer don’t talk about the ‘awkward posing’. All you’re doing is belittling your peers in the industry and couples who want this type of photography (and believe me some couples do want artistic photography – my diary is very healthy). Elevate your business with positives and not by talking down others. It’s not healthy and doesn’t make you look good. Sorry!
