St. Augustine Documentary Wedding Photographer
What is a Documentary Wedding Photographer and Why It’s Perfect for Your Big Day
Hi, I am Phavy, a wedding photographer in St. Augustine offering documentary style photography. I wanted to write this blog today in case you are in between what type of wedding photographer you are looking for. And I’ll show you examples from two real weddings I have photographed – one at Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant, the other at The White Room, St. Augustine, FL.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably in the midst of planning your wedding, and I just want to say—congratulations! This is such an exciting time, full of joy, anticipation, and maybe just a little bit of stress. There’s so much to think about, from choosing the venue to picking out flowers. And of course, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is who will capture your wedding day.
If you’re someone who loves authentic, candid moments, then documentary-style wedding photography might be exactly what you’re looking for. In this blog, I’ll explain what a documentary wedding photographer does, how this style differs from traditional wedding photography, and why it’s the perfect choice for your wedding day. So grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s dive in!
Venue: The White Room (Villa Blanca)
What is a Documentary Wedding Photographer?
At its core, documentary wedding photography is all about capturing real, unposed moments as they happen. Think of it like a photojournalist documenting the story of your wedding day. Instead of carefully posed shots or staged moments, a documentary photographer focuses on the natural interactions between you, your partner, and your guests. My job is to be an observer, capturing all the little moments that make your wedding unique.
From the laughter you share with your bridesmaids while getting ready, to the tear that rolls down your partner’s cheek during the vows, documentary photography is about preserving the emotions, energy, and atmosphere of your day just as they happen.
You might be thinking, “Wait, so no posed photos at all?” Don’t worry! I’ll still make sure you get those important family portraits and a few romantic couple shots. But the heart of my work is in capturing the day as it unfolds naturally—so when you look back at your wedding photos, you’ll feel like you’re reliving those genuine moments all over again.
Venue: Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant, Jacksonville FL
How Documentary Wedding Photography is Different from Traditional Wedding Photography
When you think of traditional wedding photography, you might imagine carefully posed shots with perfect lighting, smiling directly at the camera. And while there’s definitely a place for that, it doesn’t always capture the true feeling of your day.
Documentary wedding photography, on the other hand, is more about telling the story of your wedding as it truly was. It’s less about perfection and more about authenticity. I won’t direct you to hold a pose for minutes at a time or ask you to redo a moment because the lighting wasn’t quite right. Instead, I’ll focus on the real emotions—the laughter, the tears, the quiet glances, and everything in between.
Here’s how the two styles differ:
- Traditional Photography: Poses are often staged, and the photographer will direct you on how to stand, where to look, and what to do. The photos are usually polished, with a focus on making everything look perfect.
- Documentary Photography: The focus is on capturing the day as it unfolds naturally. I’ll guide you gently when needed, but for the most part, I’m there to document the real moments—no forced smiles, no stiff poses. The photos will feel genuine and full of emotion.
Why Documentary Wedding Photography is Perfect for Your Big Day
Now that you know what documentary wedding photography is, let’s talk about why it’s such an amazing choice for your wedding day. Spoiler alert: it’s all about authenticity!
It Captures the True Story of Your Wedding
Every wedding is unique, and documentary photography allows me to capture all those little moments that make your day special. Whether it’s your partner’s reaction when they first see you, the look of pride in your parents’ eyes, or the hilarious dance moves from your friends at the reception, documentary photography is all about capturing the real story of your wedding day.
When you look back at your photos, you’ll see all the moments you may have missed in the whirlwind of the day. It’s a way to relive not just the big, planned events, but also the little interactions and emotions that made your wedding truly yours.
It’s Relaxed and Natural
One of the best things about documentary wedding photography is how relaxed it is. If the thought of spending hours posing for photos sounds exhausting, this style will be a breath of fresh air. You won’t spend your day worrying about getting the “perfect shot” or feeling like you’re constantly in front of the camera. Instead, you’ll be able to focus on what really matters—celebrating with your loved ones.
I’ll be there in the background, quietly capturing all the real moments. And because I’m focused on documenting what’s naturally happening, you won’t feel like you’re being “watched” the entire time. The result is a set of photos that feels authentic, relaxed, and full of genuine emotion.
It Highlights Your True Connection
Your wedding day is all about your connection with each other—and documentary photography is the perfect way to capture that connection in an honest and meaningful way. Rather than focusing on making everything look perfect for the camera, I’m more interested in the real, unguarded moments between you and your partner.
The little touches, the shared smiles, the way you look at each other when you think no one’s watching—these are the moments that define your relationship, and they’re what I aim to capture. When you look back at your photos, you’ll see the true essence of your love, not just posed portraits.
It’s Perfect for Timeless Memories
While trends in wedding photography come and go, the beauty of documentary photography is that it’s timeless. Real moments never go out of style. When you look back at your photos years from now, you won’t see outdated poses or trendy filters. You’ll see genuine memories that capture the essence of your day, and that’s something that will always be in style.
It’s Ideal for Capturing All the Emotions
Weddings are full of emotions, from the excitement of getting ready to the tears during the ceremony to the pure joy of dancing the night away with your friends and family. Documentary photography captures all of these emotions in a way that feels real and raw.
I won’t ask you to recreate a moment for the camera or hold back your tears for the perfect shot. I’ll be there to capture the emotions as they happen, so when you look at your photos, you’ll remember exactly how you felt in that moment.
It Helps You Relive Your Day in Detail
Your wedding day will likely go by in a blur, and there will be moments that you might not even notice in the rush of it all. Documentary wedding photography helps you see those moments—the way your partner looked at you during the ceremony, the proud smile on your parents’ faces, or the hilarious dance-offs at the reception.
By capturing all of these real moments, your wedding photos will become a way to relive your day in vivid detail, allowing you to remember not just the big events, but also the little moments that made your day so special.
How a Documentary Wedding Photographer Works on Your Wedding Day
You might be wondering how this all works on your wedding day. Let me walk you through what you can expect from me as your documentary wedding photographer.
- Getting Ready
I’ll arrive early to capture the getting-ready moments. Whether it’s the quiet anticipation while you’re getting your hair done or the laughter with your friends as you sip champagne, I’ll be there to document these intimate moments. - The Ceremony
During the ceremony, I’ll blend into the background, capturing the vows, the reactions, and all the emotions. You won’t even know I’m there most of the time! - The Reception
From the first dance to the speeches to the epic party on the dance floor, I’ll be capturing all the fun, joy, and excitement of your reception. - The Details
I’ll also be sure to capture all the little details—the flowers, the décor, the personal touches you’ve put into your day. These details help tell the full story of your wedding, and I love making sure they’re part of your photo collection.
Is this your style?
Documentary wedding photography is all about capturing the true, authentic story of your wedding day. It’s perfect for couples who want their photos to feel relaxed, natural, and full of real emotion. As a documentary wedding photographer, my goal is to tell your love story in a way that’s honest, beautiful, and timeless.
If this sounds like the kind of wedding photography you’re dreaming of, I’d love to chat and learn more about your big day! Let’s capture your wedding in a way that feels true to who you are—real, raw, and absolutely unforgettable.
Phavy Photography (phavyphotos.com)
Wedding Photographer in St. Augustine, FL
E-mail: contact@phavyphotos.com
Phone: 904-228-1350
Instagram: 904photographer
