How you can achieve the look you love
Documentary and photojournalistic style wedding photography is a beautiful and increasingly sought after look for Seattle and Pacific Northwest wedding couples. And while it may seem like the look just “happens”, there is a lot more to it than that. Regardless of the style, a great wedding photographer comes prepared to execute a vision beautifully. And this particular style is no different. It requires skill, timing, and a keen eye to turn fleeting moments into art that captures every emotion. From the first details to the final wave goodbye, don’t leave your wedding gallery images to chance.
Here are some basic steps you can take if you want to see this style displayed in your wedding album:
1. SELECT THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE LOOK YOU WANT
Plan on looking for a photographer who has experience achieving this style. If you will want some group, family, and couple portraits as well – be sure your photographer is willing and able to direct when needed. They will then need to be able to step back again and blend in to get those candid moments as they happen naturally.
2. DON’T BE AFRAID TO COMMUNICATE YOUR VISION
Most couples have a very specific vision and vibe in mind when they think about their wedding gallery. Whether you want strictly candid moments with zero portraits, or a blend of the two, you will need to convey your preferences to the photographer. Ideally, you will do this during your very first conversations in the booking process.
3. BE VERY DELIBERATE WITH YOUR TIMELINE AND PORTRAIT LIST
Your photographer will want to be in the right place at the right time on your wedding day. This is especially true as they are working to catch emotional key moments. A detailed timeline is one tool to ensure this is possible. For example: If you don’t tell your photographer that you will be sharing a special gift with your mom, they may not be there to document it.
Any planned portraits will have a significant effect on your wedding day timeline. If you will be planning on some posed portraits throughout the day, I recommend keeping the list short to allow for more time for the photographer to circulate and catch candid moments.
4. INVEST IN A SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER
The photographer you hire for your wedding will either offer a second photographer as part of their package, or give you the option to invest in the addition to your package. They can be invaluable if you want to achieve an amazing documentary or photojournalistic style. Having two photographers can ensure that more angles are covered and more moments are captured. While one photographer focuses on the guests, the other is snapping photos of the couple. While one is capturing moments with the bridesmaids, the other can be assigned to the groom and his groomsmen. It’s even helpful during any planned formal portraits and group photos. While one photographs the posed moment, the other is looking for candid expressions and interactions in between, or circulating around cocktail hour.
5. TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE SOME OF THE LOOKS YOU WANT
Sometimes photographers need to set the scene and take a bit of a lifestyle photography approach to get the looks you want. This might mean providing a prompt that allows you and others to interact in a more natural way. It’s more about catching emotion, interactions, and in between moments than the actual prompt itself. Think “candid”, but with a bit of direction thrown in. Of course, if you prefer to ask your photographer to stick to an exclusively documentary approach, let them know. I am always willing to blend in and act as an unobtrusive observer for the full wedding day.
Documentary and photojournalistic wedding photography can be a great way to get an album full of feeling and emotion. The right photographer can capture photos that truly carry you back to the day. It’s more than just candid snapshots. This wedding photography style requires an artistic eye and skilled timing. A talented photographer can capture the emotions of the day and smallest moments in a beautiful way.
Janelle Barrow Photography serves couples in Seattle and the surrounding areas. With an emphasis on bringing out natural beauty, Janelle is passionate about delivering a personal and elevated experience to all her wedding clients. Her romantic, sophisticated, fine art wedding images capture every moment of the wedding day from arrival to final exit and tell a complete and beautiful story. She thrives on attention to detail and a great ability to take the stress out of wedding photos.
If you are planning your wedding in the Pacific Northwest, please get in touch to see how Janelle Barrow Photography can serve you.
