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Documentary Wedding Photography | Wedding Photojournalism

What is Documentary Wedding Photography?

Documentary Wedding Photography is best described as story telling through pictures.

Documentary Wedding Photography, also known as wedding photojournalism and reportage wedding photography, all labels that essentially describe the way I work, capturing natural un-orchestrated moments from the wedding day.

documentary wedding photography or wedding photojournalism, captures an emotional groom at the ceremony, st james church, ludgershall, hampshire.

documentary wedding photography or wedding photojournalism captures an emotional groom

Telling a Story

I believe an image has to have context and tell a story, being a documentary wedding photographer is all about capturing natural, spontaneous moments between family and friends, moments they may never have noticed happening during the wedding day.

Unlike a traditional wedding photographer, who will perhaps only take a series of posed images at set points on the wedding day, a documentary wedding photographer will constantly take a series of natural images throughout the day, which when viewed as a whole can provide a true visual diary of the wedding day.

Check Availability Please email your Date and Venue or call 0771 3252725 Contact

Please feel free to browse through the following gallery highlights from just one wedding, which demonstrate my wedding photojournalism approach to capturing natural moments throughout the day.

My Service: What I aim to capture throughout the wedding day.

As a documentary wedding photographer, it’s my job to capture genuine events from the wedding day, as discreetly as possible, without intervening and encouraging people to do things they almost certainly wouldn’t have done themselves otherwise.

Every wedding is different, the people, their personalities, some are bubbly, excited, laughing, whilst others are more introspective, reflective of the moment. To me, each has great value and meaning, showing the real person’s feelings, a glimpse of who they really are.

If asked why I shoot weddings in a photojournalistic way, I would have to say it would be all about the emotions, to capture real life events. I would show pictures starting with the following set of five images from the brides final preparations:

 

Brides Final Preparations

The first image shows a bride who was a little anxious and in a reflective mood, she had been working hard right up until the day before the wedding, so that she could have extended time away on honeymoon. This however, placed a lot of pressure on her, trying to balance work commitments with all the many arrangements needed to make the wedding a success.

I arrived at the family home to find the bride quietly having her makeup applied, her family just going about their business, the bride was a little anxious, her mood reflective, whilst she was getting ready.

At this point, a traditional photographer might have tried to impose themselves, and get the bride to pose, smile to camera, any number of things, resulting in forced un-authentic images, that don’t really portray anything real about the person being photographed, other than what the photographer’s idea of the moment should look like.

I however, did no such thing, respecting the moment, I left the bride and the family alone and just documented what was actually happening.

A black and white image of a bride having her veil put on, whilst sitting in front of a dressing table mirror, the bride preparations hambleton rutland.

bride preparations hambleton rutland

Here we see her sat in front of the dressing table having her veil put on, deep in thought, a beautiful, timeless image, that will remind the family in years to come what feelings she was going through, the morning of the wedding day.

 

Black and white image, a bride looks up and smiles when she spots her father looking at her in her dress for the first time, the father can be seen in the mirror on the wall, standing in the doorway, the brides final preparations, Wimborne, Dorset.

bride preparations watkins wimborne

I’m all about capturing genuine moments between family and friends, the image above demonstrates this beautifully.

Here we see the delight on the bride’s face when her father sees her in her wedding dress for the first time. What I love about this image is at the moment the bride sees her father, we can also see her father in the mirror’s reflection, standing in the doorway smiling at the bride. A simple, timeless image, that I’m sure will bring the memories of that moment flooding back in years to come.

The following set of three images are of an emotionally charged bride preparations, at Minterne Magna House, Cerne Abbas.

Here we see the bride take a look at herself fully dressed in the mirror, then gently start to cry, then from the other side of the room I hear a male voice whaling.  I looked back to the doorway, and saw the bride’s father, his hands clasped together, tears starting to flow. He moves from the doorway, and walks to the corner of the room, trying to compose himself, totally overcome with emotion.

Black and White image, a bride burst into tears, on she seeing herself fully dressed in the mirror, at Minterne Magna House and Gardens, Cerne Abbas, Dorset.

bride preparations sanders minterne magna house

Black and White image, an emotional brides father, clasps his hands together and breaks down in tears, on seeing his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time, at Minterne Magna House and Gardens, Cerne Abbas, Dorset.

bride preparations father minterne magna house

Black and White image, an emotional brides father tries to compose himself, on seeing his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time, at Minterne Magna House and Gardens, Cerne Abbas, Dorset.

bride preparations fathers tears minterne magna house saunders

This is what documentary wedding photography is all about, being able to react to unexpected events, to capture truly emotional exchanges, showing vulnerability, honesty, the affection between loved ones.

The Groom and Guest Arrival

The following set of three images shows what I most like to capture at the ceremony venue, when the groom is greeting family and friends, some who may have not seen each other for years. Simple, genuine, tender loving moments, shared moments of affection and laughter.

Black and white image of a female guest greeting a male guest with a kiss, at the guest arrival St Andrews Church, Hambleton, Rutland.

guest arrival st andrews church hambelton

Black and white image of the groom greeting one of his best friends in the ceremony room, the Victorian Barn, Woolland, Blandford, Dorset.

guest arrival victorian barn woolland groom

Black and white image of the an elderly male guest happily greeting a younger female family member, at the Victorian Barn, Woolland, Blandford, Dorset.

Guest arrival, family members greet each other, at the Victorian Barn, Woolland.

With a relaxed photojournalistic approach, I use my years of experience in the press and commercial fields, to follow my instincts for what may happen next, to capture beautiful, timeless images, that families can treasure for the rest of their lives.

The Bride Arrival

The following image shows a nervous groom take in a deep breath, as he prepares himself for the bride to enter the ceremony room.

Black and White image, an anxious groom takes a deep breath, just before the bride starts to walk down the aisle, at Ufton Court, Reading.

anxious groom ufton court reading

The following set of three images show the same pensive bride we saw earlier, preparing her dress with the aid of the bridesmaids, before entering the ceremony. Then she is being lead down the aisle by her father. Notice how tense she is, its simply palpable, how over whelmed and close to tears she is, she can hardly look at the groom. Then finally her veil is removed, she turns to the groom, they look at each other, it is at this point I notice a change in the bride, all that self doubt, worry just lifts away, she relaxes at the groom’s side, as they smile gently to each other.

Black and White image of the bride aided by her bridesmaids, stopping at the church entrance to rearrange her dress, just before entering the ceremony at St Andrews Church, Hambleton, Rutland.

bride arrival st andrews church hambleton

Black and White image of a very emotional bride being walked down the aisle by her father, at St Andrews Church, Hambleton, Rutland.

bride walking down aisle st andrews church hambleton

Black and White image of the bride and groom smiling at each other, at the top of the aisle, at St Andrews Church, Hambleton, Rutland.

bride groom together st andrews church hambleton

To me, this next sequence perfectly demonstrates the true value of documentary wedding photography, images that are truly natural and timeless, images that will transport the viewer back to a time and place where they are able to relive all feelings and emotions shared on their wedding day.

I love this next image, showing the bride as she approaches the waiting groom, it’s all about the look, as she gains eye contact with the groom.

Black and White image of a bride looking at the groom just as she approaches him waiting at the front of the church, at St Stephens Church, Kingston Lacy, Wimborne.

bride arrival st stephens church wimborne

Or this next image, where the bride, having just been walked down the aisle to the waiting groom, lifts her head back, as she and the groom look into each other’s eyes, and simultaneously break out into big beaming smiles.

Black and White image of a bride and groom smiling to each other, just as the bride reaches the grooms side, at the front of the ceremony room, the Victorian Barn, Woolland,Dorset.

bride arrival victorian barn woolland

I cover all my weddings with my partner Andy, we have been discretely covering weddings together since 2001, and love giving different perspectives of the same moment in time.

The next two images show the tension as the bride and her father wait just outside the ceremony room, the bride takes a deep nervous breath, her father full of emotion, fights back his tears. Whilst at the same time in the ceremony room, a very emotional groom waits at the top of the aisle, fighting back his tears.

Black and White image outside the ceremony room, of a an emotional brides father fighting back his tears by placing his finger to his eyes, the bride is looking tense at his side, at Dudsbury Golf Club, Ferndown, Bournemouth.

emotional bride arrival dudsbury golf course

Black and White image inside the ceremony room, of a an emotional groom fighting his tears as he waits for the bride to walk down the aisle, at Dudsbury Golf Club, Ferndown, Bournemouth.

emotional groom dudsbury golf course

Wedding photojournalism is all about capturing emotions, the true atmosphere, whether happy or sad, honest real moments covered sympathetically and discreetly.

The Ceremony

The following three images highlight the love, happiness, and tenderness shared between the brides and grooms during the ceremony. From the couple who break out in excited smiles as they exchange rings, to the young couple who burst out in laughter and beaming smiles, or the gentle tenderness of the couple as they embrace the moment they have been been pronounced husband and wife.

Black and white image of the bride and groom smiling at each other, during the ring exchange, the ceremony at Durlston Castle, Swanage, Dorset.

ceremony durlston castle swanage

Black and white image of an excited bride and groom smiling at each other, having just been pronounced husband and wife, at Canford Magna Church, Wimborne, Dorset.

ceremony canford magna church wimborne

Black and white image of an emotional bride and groom gently cuddling each other, after having just been pronounced husband and wife, at Ufton Court, Ufton Nervert, Reading, Berkshire.

ceremony ufton court reading

I am passionate about capturing real moments, the spontaneous moments you and your guests will share throughout your wedding, I have the ability to anticipate these special moments, and place myself in the right place to capture them.

Post Ceremony

The next series of images show a young happy couple, literally skipping back down the aisle, (which always brings a smile to my face), to the shear relief displayed by the groom as he and the bride are being congratulated by family and friends. Followed by more images of excitement and happiness, as the brides and grooms interact with the guests after the ceremony.

The bride and groom smile to each other as they excitedly skip back down the aisle, at Canford Magna Church, Wimborne, Dorset.

post ceremony canford magna church wimborne

A relieved groom sighed with relief, post ceremony, at St Johns Church, Holdenhurst Villlage, Bournemouth, Dorset.

relieved groom st johns church holdenhurst villlage bournemouth

Black and white image of the bride and groom being congratulated by their family and friends, outside St Andrews Church, Hambleton, Rutland.

post ceremony friends st andrews church hambleton

Black and white image of an an excited bride and groom walking back down the aisle, The Old Vicarage, Christchurch, Dorset.

happy couple walk up aisle old vicarage christchurch

Black and white image of the bride and groom being cheered by their family and friends, as they are about to leave, St Andrews Church, Hambleton, Rutland.

post ceremony st andrews church hambleton

Black and white image of the bride and groom laughing with one of their female friends, at Ufton Court, Ufton Nervert, Reading, Berkshire.

post ceremony friends ufton court reading

My Documentary Wedding Photography Service

Black and White image of young girl sitting on a wooden bench smiling back at an adult, who is trying to make her laugh, Ufton Court, Reading.

I come across an increasing number of my wedding couples, who are not very comfortable with the prospect of having to continually pose and smile to camera throughout the wedding day.

However, they do realise the importance of having their wedding celebrations photographed. After all, once the cake has been eaten and the dress put away, the photographs are all they have left to remind them of those special moments for years to come.

They choose me, because they appreciate my unobtrusive way, and love those natural moments I capture between family and friends.

I am a documentary wedding photographer, offering a wedding photojournalism service, with myself, as principle photographer, accompanied by Andy, my second shooter. Our priority, is to capture those unorchestrated, special candid moments, of you and your guests enjoying your wedding celebrations.
Check Availability Please email your Date and Venue or call 0771 3252725 Contact
A small formal family group shot, the bride alongside her mother, grand mother, and young daughter and son, at Stockbridge Farm Barn, Sherborne, Dorset.

simple family group stockbridge farm barn

Formal Groups

I love to document weddings in as natural a way as possible, with no intervention. However, I do recognise that some couples may wish to have a few small formal family group shots or Simply Posed Bride and Groom Portraits taken, looking to camera.

If this service is requested, I would be happy to do so, however, if you do not require formal groups or portraits, then I will happily continue to cover the proceedings in a candid documentary way.

If required, I believe that the formals should be a subtle, small part of the day, I work best when allowed to roam freely, following my instincts and the natural ebb and flow of the wedding day. Being presented with endless requests for formal shots and portraits, will hinder my ability to capture the natural events from the day.

It is for this reason, I do not work from any detailed shot lists, except for the formal family group photographs.

Simply Posed Portraits

Only if requested, simply posed portraits of the bride and groom can be arranged, if required.

Black and White image, a simply posed portrait of the bride and groom kissing on a hillside, overlooking the ground and main building at Harlaxton Manor, Grantham.

simple portrait harlaxton manor grantham

Black and White image, simply posed portrait of the bride and groom stopping to kiss in a country lane, at Sopley Mill, Christchurch, Dorset.

simple portait sopley mill christchurch

All portraits would be kept as natural as possible. I would offer some gentle direction, and will not ask the couple to do any weird, unnatural or embarrassing poses!  I would lead the couple on a small circuit around the venue grounds or nearby beauty spot, taking in the scenery, whilst I quietly take their portraits.

The Speeches

Covering the speeches can be fast pace but so rewarding, with a range of emotions on display.

Such as this next image of a tearful groom, whom, whilst talking about his new wife, broke down mid speech in floods of tears, I loved the amused reactions from the bride and the groom’s parents, and the reassuring hands of support, to help the groom get through his speech.

A tearful groom breaks down when talking about his new wife, whilst an amused bride and the grooms mother reach out to comfort him, and help him through his speech, the grooms father can be seen wearing a large smile on his face, at Milstream Bistro, Wimborne, Dorset.

emotional groom speeches millstream bistro wimborne

Or the emotions felt when loved ones who are not around anymore, get mentioned, hence the reassurance given to an emotional bridesmaid.

An emotional bridesmaid is comforted by another bridesmaid during the speeches, at the Victorian Barn, Woolland, Dorset.

emotional bridesmaid speeches victorian barn woolland

The next two images show the change in pace and mood, when the speeches turn to the best man’s speech, which grooms up and down the country dread, especially when the best man giving the speech is the groom’s older brother, who didn’t hold back, hence the utterly embarrassed groom not knowing whether to laugh or hide, he just glances sheepishly to his new wife, who is gripped with hysterical laughter, all at the groom’s expense!

The best man also the grooms brother, places his hand on top of his head to mock the groom, at the speeches, the Victorian Barn, Woolland, Dorset.

best man speech victorian barn woolland

The groom looks sheepishly towards the bride, whilst the bride burst out in laughter at the best mans speech, the Victorian Barn, Woolland, Dorset.

speeches victorian barn woolland

The Evening Reception

I love covering the evening activities, when the guests have had their meal and the formalities of the speeches completed.  I’m often found wondering freely around the venue, observing, listening, being drawn to laughter and people enjoying themselves.

This next shot captures all of the guests participating in a good old fashion sing song, I just loved seeing how genuinely comfortable they were in each other’s company, the place was buzzing and set the mood for the rest of the evening.

Black and White image of the family and friends joining in a sing song, waving their arms in the air, whilst they wait for the speeches to start, the Victorian Barn, Woolland, Dorset.

group sing song victoriam barn woolland

I love this next image, the moment when mother and son show such tender affection towards each other, a real honest moment, most importantly, not set up.

Wedding photojournalism is all about watching, anticipating, letting the real events of the wedding reveal themselves, capturing people being themselves with no intervention from the photographer.
Black and White image of a mother cuddling her teenage son, the Victorian Barn, Woolland, Dorset.

mother cuddles son victorian barn woolland

This next shot just tickles me, seeing two adult males patiently waiting to be severed at the bar, whilst the young girls in their party frocks hold the barman’s attention, with requests for soft drinks.

Black and White image of a small group of young girls ordering soft drinks at the bar, whilst the adults wait patiently, the Victorian Barn, Woolland, Dorset.

young girls bar shot victorian barn woolland

After the hustle and bustle of the speeches, this father takes his young daughter to a quiet corner to enjoy the stunning views overlooking the Purbeck countryside, his young daughter however, was more interested in the small bits of rubble on the wall!

Black and White image of a father watching his young daughter playing, whilst sitting next to him, the Victorian Barn, Woolland, Dorset.

father with young daughter kingston country courtyards wareham

The picture below describes documentary wedding photography perfectly to me, it’s about capturing real characters in real time, as naturally as possible.

This elderly gentleman was so carried away with the live big band music, that he started to play some imaginary air instrument, with his eye’s closed. A lovely insight into this gentleman’s true personality.

Black and White image of an elderly gentleman playing an imaginary air instrument along with the live big band, whilst sitting on a bench along side other guest's, at the side of the dance floor, Harlaxton Manor, Grantham.

air guitar evening reception harlaxton manor grantham

The First Dance

Watched by family and friends, the brides and grooms take to the dance floor for their first dance, and the partying begins.

Black and White image of the bride and groom take to the dance floor for their first dance, accompanied by a big band, at Harlaxton Manor, Grantham.

first dance harlaxton manor grantham

The bride and groom are embraced by the brides father, just as they complete their first dance, at The Sandbanks Hotel, Poole, Dorset.

first dance sandbanks hotel poole

Black and White image, of the bride and groom in the foreground looking towards their family and friends who are watching them doing their first dance from the side of the dance floor, at the Kingston Country Courtyard, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset.

first dance kingston country courtyard wareham

An emotional bride sister rushes onto the dance floor to embrace the bride, after the bride and groom did their first dance to one of the sisters songs, at Merley House, Wimborne, Dorset

bride with emotional sister evening reception orangery suite wimborne

Black and White image, of the the groom dancing with the two bridesmaids, amongst the other guest's, at the Kingston Country Courtyard, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset.

evening reception kingston country courtyard wareham

The bride and groom dancing amongst their family and friends at the evening reception, the Old Vicarage, Christchurch, Dorset.

evening reception old vicarage christchurch

The Detail

Being a documentary wedding photographer is also about capturing the finer details of your day. This can include the dress, room set up, table decorations, and the cake. I will photograph theses details in the settings I find them, no fussing or moving things around.

Wedding photojournalism, captures a natural shot of the wedding dress hanging up from the back of a door, at the brides family home, Hambleton, Rutland.

Wedding photojournalism captures detail brides dress.

Room setup shot, showing the wedding breakfast room dressed and ready for the guest's, at Harlaxton Manor, Grantham.

detail room set up

Room setup shot, showing a four tiered wedding cake with green and small white floral dressing, at Harlaxton Manor, Grantham.

detail wedding cake

Scene Setting Shots

I will also aim to show scene setting shots, to give an idea on venue environment, location, and even the type of weather being experienced on the day itself.

Scene setting shot, showing the brides preparations address and family home, in the foreground, with St Andrews Church the venue for the ceremony, in the background, at Hambleton, Rutland.

scene setting shot hambleton

Scene setting shot, external view of Harlaxton Manor, during the wedding breakfast, Harlaxton Manor, Grantham.

scene setting shot harlaxton manor grantham

Scene setting shot, internal view of seated guest's during the wedding breakfast, in a grand golden coloured dinning room, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, at Harlaxton Manor, Grantham.

room shot harlaxton manor grantham

Documentary wedding photography capturing a scene setting shot, the external view of the orangery lit up at night, during the evening reception, Harlaxton Manor, Grantham.Documentary

documentary wedding photography capturing scene setting shot night time harlaxton manor grantham

My Approach

I hope the information and insights on this page, gives you a better understanding on my approach to photographing weddings as a documentary wedding photographer. It’s my passion, to capture real honest images using a natural unobtrusive approach.

I prefer to shoot using natural light whenever possible, preserving the three dimensional quality of the image, this also allows me to capture those special moments without attracting the attentions of your guests.

You are welcome to view more of my wedding highlights  and weddings galleries on my main website. You can also find out more about my Dorset Wedding Photographer services.

If you are looking for Documentary wedding photography services, and like my natural wedding photojournalism approach, I would love to hear from you.

I am a Dorset Wedding Photographer, covering Dorset and throughout the UK.  Please either contact me using the following email address sam@samanthacookphotography.co.uk, or give me a call on 07713252725 for a chat.

Don’t forget to let me know where in the UK you are getting married, and most importantly your wedding date. If you have not heard back from me straight away, I will probably be on a photo shoot and will aim to get back to you as soon as I can.

Vicky and Ben Wedding Highlights

The following gallery illustrates my coverage from the bride’s final preparations, through to the dancing, highlighting my wedding photojournalism style, in capturing honest, natural moments, shared between family and friends.

I only take on a limited number of weddings each year, so please get in touch if you would like a chat,  I would be only too happy to discuss your plans for your wedding day.

You May Like To View Some Recent Weddings On My Blog Pages

Harlaxton Manor Weddings

I was very excited when Vicky and Ben asked me to be their photographer, at their Harlaxton Manor wedding. It's ...
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The Sandbanks Hotel Wedding

The Sandbanks Hotel Wedding of Kayleigh and Matthew, in August last year, brought us back to the beautiful Sandbanks peninsular ...
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Sopley Mill Wedding

The Sopley Mill wedding of Laura and Leigh started on a dark overcast rainy morning in October, with Lauras' preparations ...
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Please Contact Me

01202 540412 or 07713252725

Clifton House, 10 Poole Hill, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5PS

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