I'm Tyler Jordan Soucy, a documentary wedding photographer based in Connecticut, who works with couples worldwide. I believe that weddings are meant to be lived, not performed. This journal is where I share some of my quick insights as a documentary photographer, and I hope that you find something useful or inspiring here.
📌 TL;DR: Documentary Style Wedding Photography in a Nutshell
Documentary style wedding photography is about capturing your day as it naturally unfolds—no stiff poses, no forced smiles or fake laughs. It prioritizes real emotions and candid interactions over staged moments. This guide explains how it works, what to expect, and why it might be the perfect fit if you want to focus on the experience, not the performance.
A documentary wedding photographer specializes in capturing weddings authentically, prioritizing candid moments over staged or posed images. Instead of directing your day, the goal is to quietly observe and photograph the real emotions, spontaneous interactions, and intimate details that naturally occur.
When uninterrupted, weddings have an undeniable kinetic energy—a natural momentum and rhythm that builds throughout the day. You can nurture it, stay present with it, and trust in its flow—or pause it, step in, direct, and wait for that energy to rebuild.
Traditional wedding photography often relies on posed portraits, guided interactions, and carefully staged moments. In contrast, documentary style photography (also known as reportage wedding photography or photojournalistic wedding photography) takes an observational approach. It allows the day to unfold naturally, with minimal interference.
Instead of orchestrating scenes, a photojournalistic wedding photographer blends into the celebration—observing, anticipating, and capturing what’s already happening. That subtle presence helps everyone relax and creates space for more honest, meaningful moments.
Couples who value genuine emotion, meaningful connection, and natural expression often gravitate toward this approach. Whether you call it documentary, reportage, or photojournalism, this style of wedding photography is ideal if you want your photos to reflect how the day felt, not just how it looked.
Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with genuine, subtle, and meaningful interactions. As an experienced photographer, I’ve seen how different photography styles can shape not just your wedding photos, but the entire experience of your day.
Traditional wedding photography can often make your day feel like a staged production—posed, planned, and controlled. Documentary photography takes a different approach, allowing real moments and your emotional experience to be prioritized. It’s about creating the space to breathe, relax, and truly connect with the people around you.
For many of us, being photographed can trigger feelings of anxiety. It’s completely normal to feel awkward or self-conscious in front of a camera. In fact, I've observed that heavily directed poses often serve as more of a temporary band-aid than a remedy for any discomfort. When you remove the expectations, something remarkable happens: the performance anxiety around the camera fades away, replaced by genuine ease. Couples who initially tell me they're camera-shy often find themselves forgetting the camera is even there.
The photographs that resonate with me the most are the ones where people are fully immersed and present, the ones that preserve real memories and emotions.
The last thing I want you to think when revisiting your photos is, "this is when Tyler told us to laugh," or "this was the third time I had to put my shoes on." Those photos may be fine for some, but to me, they lack depth, and they simply pull you away from what's really important during the day.
Having photographed more than 80 weddings, one thing remains constant: each celebration is unique and deserves to be treated as such. Working without a rigid shot list ensures that your relationship is captured authentically, without imposing scenes or expectations from someone else’s wedding onto yours.
When your timeline isn't built around photography, your wedding becomes an experience—not a photo shoot. You can immerse yourself in real moments, from conversations with friends and family to quiet time alone. Your timeline should reflect your priorities.
[Read: How To Build a Relaxed Wedding Timeline]
The storytelling of a wedding often lies in the subtle interactions between people. Being able to read the room and anticipate those moments is where a documentary style wedding photographer thrives—it's our Super Bowl. Quick glances between family members, candid laughter among friends, and unexpected gestures of affection—these real, authentic moments form the emotional core of your wedding day.
This approach might be perfect for you if:
Absolutely, I still capture those important group shots and portraits—but they’re relaxed, natural, and tailored to what each couple wants. Time together with both sides of the family is often the only chance you'll have to be in one place with everyone, and some truly special moments can unfold in the transitions between.
My goal isn’t to rush through this part of the day, but to make sure you get back to celebrating with everyone as soon as possible.
For family formals, I recommend keeping it to immediate family and a few key groupings to make sure the day keeps flowing naturally. We’ll plan ahead and create a list of must-have shots so we don’t miss anything important. Depending on the size of your family, I generally suggest setting aside about 15-20 minutes.
When it comes to portraits, the timing depends on your priorities and what feels most comfortable to you. I find it’s helpful to find a part of the day where you foresee yourselves wanting to simply step away, go for a walk, or spend some quiet time together.
My approach to wedding party photos mirrors the rest of your day. It’s less about lining people up for formal poses and more about creating space for natural moments to unfold between you and your closest friends while you and your partner are getting ready.
Not a traditional one. I want to know your priorities—the people, moments, and emotions that matter. That’s more valuable than a checklist of poses or staged photos.
Life is largely unpredictable, but that’s also what makes it beautiful. Documentary style photography embraces whatever comes our way. Ultimately, it’s not about the weather or perfect conditions—it's about the people you love, the mood, and the moments and how they come together.
Through observation and anticipation. I can offer light guidance for portraits if needed, but most of the day, I’m capturing what’s already happening—quietly and intentionally.
Ask yourself what kind of experience you want. If being fully present, feeling natural in photos, and reliving the real moments matter the most to you, documentary style wedding photography is likely a great fit.
The key is finding a photographer who's ethos and style that aligns with your priorities. Look for a portfolio that resonate with you emotionally. Pay attention to their ability to capture subtle, authentic interactions.
[READ: Finding the Best Wedding Photographer (For You)]
Documentary wedding photography is a more of a philosophy than it is a style. It invites you to be fully present, to connect with the people you love, and to look back on your wedding photos as a true reflection of the day you actually lived—not a performance of it. Whether you're drawn to its emotional honesty, artistic storytelling, or natural flow, this approach is about preserving the moments that matter most.
If you're curious to see what this could look like for your wedding, I’d love to hear your plans.
